MK – welcome to DMC World – a true legend. What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Heat / Final?
“My earliest memory is of seeing a video of DJ Cash Money in 1988 winning routine – thinking ‘Damn, I wanna do that’. The next year I won tickets on the radio for the World Finals at the Albert Hall. I remember walking past Red Alert and got totally star struck. I was amazed at the DJs I saw that night, the blind DJ and DJ Aladdin were incredible.”
You have supported some of the biggest stars ever up on stage – Jay Z, Ice Cube, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Eminem – the list rolls on and on. Can you tell DMC…
a) Which artist that you spinned discs for made you most proud to be alongside because of their music?
“Roots Manuva, simply because he’s such a genius. Roots is in a class by himself. Think about it, he’s never ever had a top 10, 20, or 30 hit in the charts yet he can still perform alongside today’s pop stars such as Calvin Harris and The Streets – simply because he makes good albums and good music. I remember when we sold out the Brixton Academy in 2005…over 5000 people, nobody in the UK who makes Hip Hop has done that before or after.”
b) Has there ever been an artist that you have represented that after the gig, you thought, nope, never again?
“Luckily no!”
c)You are in The States, their boyfriend’s are out of town and you get a call from Alicia Keys, Beyonce and M.I.A. asking you out for dinner – who gets the call back?
“Ha Ha. Well M.I.A supported us on our 2005 UK tour so I know her quite well, plus she’s just got married so it wouldn’t be her. Alicia Keys is cool, but Beyonce is the one. I met her once, backstage at the Prince’s trust gig. She’s THE only woman whom I’ve met in real life who has made me speechless.”
d) What was the best show you ever played at – that simply blew you away for the magnitude of it?
“Probably the Reading main stage. There must have been about 80,000 people in the crowd…rock star status!! Playing Carnival in 1994 was a crazy one too, as was doing a gig on a plane with Dizzee Rascal, flying between New Zealand and Sydney with a plane full of drunkard Australians.”
You have judged many DMC World Finals – who in your opinion has been the greatest EVER champion – and why”
“That’s an easy one…DJ Q-BERT!! He was and is the best scratcher in the world.”
How do you think the art of turntablism has changed over the last 25 years?
“It’s changed loads, mainly changing with technology. As the faders on mixers got better, so did the possibilities of what they could do.”
As one of the biggest Hip Hop DJs in the world, it’s always interesting to see where a DJ’s name originates from. With MK, you’ve gone down the route of the internet country code for The Republic of Macedonia. You have played at numerous festivals over the years, however Macedonia’s most important Festival is the Ohrid Summer Festival with legendary poets from over 50 countries appearing. What is your all time favourite poem?
Wow, that’s probably the strangest question I’ve ever been asked. Well, actually, the name MK comes from when I used to be a graffiti writer and I used to write ‘MARKER’ – but hey, I don’t really follow traditional poets, so I’d say my favourite is Chuck D.”
Greatest ever Hip Hop DJ in a club environment?
“Shortee Blitz, Jazzy Jeff, Kid Capri…in that order.”
Your career on radio is obviously an important part of your life, ITCH FM and KISS FM most notably, so…
a) Most special interview you have ever had on?
“It’s always an honour meeting the people you musically admire or grew up listening to. So when I had people like Nas, Ludacriss or DJ Premier on the show, well that was amazing. I think the most special interview was when we had LL Cool J on the show. I’d only been on KISS for a week and then next thing I know I’m getting LL to freestyle for me!”
b) What ONE record do you think you have broken to the masses to your listeners?
“Well these days there’s no such thing as “breaking a record” – as the minute you play it you can bet that the bloggers will have it the next day. Before the Internet, I got EVERYTHING first say before 2005 – there are loads of records that I supported and played first.”
c) Why did you want to get into radio presenting in the first place?
“I wanted to get into radio mainly because of growing up with the radio always on in my house – and then religiously listening to DJs like Tim Westwood and Marley Marl.
Terry Wogan or Tony Blackburn?
“I’m Irish so TERRY WOGAN!!!! He’s the daddy of this ish.”
What is your one ‘Guilty Pleasure’ record you are ashamed to love?
“One of my favourite records of all time (and I’m not ashamed to admit it) is Kajagoogoo’s ‘Too Shy’ extended 12 inch mix”
Who is gonna win DMC 2009?
“The UK’s gonna take it for sure, competition from the French will be heavy – and of course you always have to watch out for the Americans.”
Which is your favourite country worldwide to DJ in – who has the craziest clubbers?
“Australia is always a great place to DJ in. More recently, I DJ’d in Moscow last year and they were crazy too. Never seen so many people so drunk, and up for a good time. Croatia is also always a great country to DJ in too.”
What do you think is the most important thing that DMC has brought to the DJ community?
“Wow, you have done so much. Forming a DJ community especially in the early days was very important. And realising the potential of what a DJ can do – ie. more than just a guy standing up playing records. In a time when Hip Hop wasn’t so big and mainstream, DMC really helped push forward the art of the Hip Hop DJ – in every aspect.”
What are the biggest 10 tracks in your box right now?
Jay Z ‘Doa’
Clipse ‘Kinda Like A Big Deal’
Dizzee Rascal ‘Can’t Tek No More’
Roots Manuva ‘You No That It’s On’
The new Sa Ra album
DJ MK ‘Toddla T’ ‘Serocee’ ‘MK Dance’
Footsie ‘Shower Hour’
Bullion ‘Get Familiar’
Raekwon ‘Only Built For Cuban Linx’ PT 2
You are part of the amazing Extended Players with Shortee, Mr Thing and Harry Love – what do these three kings bring to the tables?
“Well Shortee is the king of clubs – period. Harry is the sick beat maker and kills it in the clubs too. And Mr Thing, is the digging king with the ill DMC skills.”
You have released so many great pieces of vinyl – what’s been your finest?
“DJ MK – Fallacy – My Show”
Best Hip Hop club ever?
“The Hop @ The End, London 1996-1999.”
Did you meet Prince Charles when you DJ’d at his Prince’s Trust Urban Music Festival?
“Yes I did. I’ve met him once before at some theatre thing, he’s always smiling”
Best Glastonbury moment?
“Probably this year I think. Glastonbury is always a special event. It’s always a bit emotional, the people, the vibe…always a good time – as long as it doesn’t rain!!!”
Which one artist would you most like to get in the studio and make a tune with?
“Jay Z. The best living MC. Holla Jay!!!!”
And finally, what is the best part of being a DJ?
“Being able to make a living off making people smile, dance, and be happy.”
