This week’s interview & mix comes from Emerald
Introduce yourself and tell us about the part of the UK you’re from?
Hello mate! I’m Emerald. I grew up in a town called Shepperton, just down the road from Staines, Ali G land. South West London.
Tell us about some of your British DJ heroes?
Ok here are some British G’s I love. Josey Rebelle, Oneman, Hannah Faith, Swamp 81, Murlo, JD Reid, Eclair Fifi, Zed Bias, Sam Gallaitry, Mumdance, Mr. Mitch, MORE // NIGHT, Giles Peterson, The Menedez Brothers, DJ EZ, Sir Spyro, I could go on!
What have you been working on recently?
I’m always working on my show. I host the breakfast show on Rinse FM 5 days a week where we have interviews all the time, do regular features and inject some joy into the early morning. Playing tunes and having a lovely chat. That takes up most of my time. More recently I’ve been working on more specialist mixes like this one and I’ve had a few vinyl lessons recently also, gotta know how to do it like the OGs. I’ve also been writing a little bit of music too, who knows where that will go.
Tell us about the mix, how did you put it together, what did you want to represent?
The 15 minute all British mix is mostly brand newish stuff. Aside from one really old Mumdance tune that I couldn’t help but slip in there. The 45 minute mix travels a lot! I find it really hard to stick to one genre. I find it pretty much impossible, I listen to so much different music, and maybe the nature of hosting prime time radio means I’m always listening to completely different stuff all day which must have an influence on what I’m collecting. I pick what I like from a few genres and try to make that all work together. This mix starts really slow and down tempo then builds throughout ending up pretty lively. Maybe I wanted it to represent diversity, yeah that sounds nice.
Talk us through the British music featured in this mix? Which British artists are you most excited about?
808ink are a very sick new group who I think are going to be massive. I love their sound it’s like a new school hip hop sound that’s a little bit grimey but on the more soulful side in terms of their production.
JD Reid is an absolute boss. A seriously authentic man with that certain sound that is my favourite above any other genre or sound at the moment.
What is on the cards in the immediate future?
It’s festival season! And Summer time!! Festivals are my happy place. I’m playing at Glastonbury, Lovebox, Secret Garden Party, Eastern Electrics, Meltdown, and hopefully some more. I can’t wait!
Where is the best place in the world you have DJ’d and why?
Last year I was Katy B’s tour DJ. It was one of the best summers of my life, truly. She played a headline show at Brixton academy that was pretty special. Playing alongside the band, playing live keys (a teeny bit) was really, really special. I will never forget it.