UK Homegrown: Jay Interviews DJ Target

04.03.10

DJ Target has just taken over 100% homegrown sundays on BBC 1Xtra (7-10), and while myself and good friend Jay from Decibel were in London the other week we got chance to catch up with him. Target has been a hero of Jay’s for years, as he grew up in East London listening to Rinse FM and practising his gun fingers to DJ Target’s show. It was only fitting then however that Jay conduct the interview, so without further ado, here it is.

With grime showing its recent cross over potential who do you see as the next big thing?
I think theres a whole host of up and coming artists about to make big waves in 2010. id definitely say to look out for Devlin, recently signed to island records, maxsta, opium, to name few. also lots of great new grime producers, grime reaper, silencer, swindle, theres so much talent in the UK its gonna be exciting times.

Do you think this commercialisation of grime is a good or bad thing?
I think its a good thing for sure. It only brings more publicity and spotlight onto the scene, although I understand peoples qualms with artists not making strictly 140 bpm, grimey tunes but I feel we need to have all types of sounds representing such a wide and diverse culture.

How do you see grime as a culture? Would you define it as black Britains hip hop
Yeah grime has become the UK’s hip hop culture. the slang, the fashion, the way of life, its all unique to the UK. definitely something we should be proud of.

Who do you think will be the next act to break through?
I’d say Devlin, and of course Tinie has just landed a number 1 single so expecting big things from him also.

A lot of grime acts recent hits have not been on the usual 140BPM dark instrumental and with veterans such as Dizzee and Wiley releasing what are essentially house tracks do you believe that the “real” grime sound could be lost?
No, I don’t think it will be lost, all of the artists who are currently topping the charts are still making grime tracks, and there are plenty of new artists coming through sticking to the original grime format. It just brings diversity to our music which is good.

How do you find the differences between doing a show on a pirate station such as rinse and a national broadcaster like the BBC? Which do you prefer?
>Firstly, I loved being on Rinse FM, it propelled me to where I am today, as a DJ and as an artist/producer. 1Xtra is a bigger platform, and I seem to really connect with the listeners, which is what I think radio is all about. There isn’t a station in the UK that does what 1xtra does, ask the likes of Dizzee, Wiley, Chip, Tinchy, Tinie, they’ve all been supported FIRST on 1Xtra.

Do you still keep in touch with all the Roll Deep members and how is the second album going?
Yeah we are all still in touch and working on the new album now. its sounding SICK, I’m very excited about it. look out for the first single ‘good times’ out April 26th on Relentless/Virgin.

Do you think we’ll ever see a new roll deep track with Dizzee and or Wiley in it?
That would be amazing. it would be great if they could sort out their differences, that would be a straight number one record.

With February being the month that 1Xtra is pushing British music do you have any advice or tips to any budding bedroom DJ’s, MC’s & producers?
I’d say just stay true to yourself,and work hard. Nothing worth having comes easy. Also, try and be original and don’t take no for an answer.

Also with events such as this do you think its fair that 1Xtra gets criticised for being too centred on London & London music?
Not at all, we service the whole country with everything we do at 1xtra. Events like Leeds Carnival, 1Xtra live in Sheffield, outside broadcasts from all over the UK, I’d say we represent the entire demographic.