Introduce yourself and tell us about the part of the UK you’re from?
I am The Last Skeptik, DJ and music producer born and raised in Finsbury Park, North London.
Tell us about some of your British DJ heroes?
I grew up making tapes of Westwood and Trevor Nelson from radio, listening to them every day on the way to school. Growing up they definitely influenced a lot for me when it came to song selection and the type of music I played in clubs. DJ EZ was always someone who blew my mind when I saw him play. Nowadays it’s my peers like Murkage Dave and CJ Beatz who I respect a lot.
What have you been working on recently?
I’m just about to release my brand new album This Is Where It Gets Good on my own label. It’s taken a lot of time, hard work and madness and is basically a journey through depression and the mind of an anxious musician. Its highly cinematic, mostly electronic and still highly influenced by my hip-hop background but more along the lines of the Unkle and Cinematic Orchestra records I grew up addicted to. I worked with a mini orchestra’s worth of musicians and some incredible guest features.
Tell us about the mix, how did you put it together, what did you want to represent?
I wanted to play a lot of the songs that I put in my DJ sets alongside a bunch of the newness. J Hus is a staple in any DJ set right now, the new Jorja Smith is heat, and then using tracks from my brand new album as well as personal favourites like Jaykae who is one of the sickest MCs in the UK right now.
Talk us through the British music featured in this mix? Which British artists are you most excited about?
Definitely most excited about Kojey Radical. I was lucky enough to get a song from him on my new album on a song called Trouble – and his new album is dope. Jaykae is another rapper I keep on repeat non-stop. Awate is someone I’ve known for years but his forthcoming album is incredible. And of course Reader – a new artist on my label. I love working with her, seriously inspirational and she’s definitely one to watch.
What is on the cards in the immediate future?
The brand new album This Is Where It Gets Good is out on September 29th. Go cop that!
Where is the best place in the world you have DJ’d and why?
Definitely either Beirut in Lebanon or Damascus in Syria. The vibe was insane. Most beautiful, vibey places on earth.