Sam Cooke is one to watch, another model now DJing creating havoc…
So hello Sam, welcome to the DMC global family. You started off as an architecture student before moving into the world of modelling and now establishing yourself as a DJ rocking dancefloors across the world. Quite a journey, what sort of albums/artists were you listening to as a teenager?
“I’ve always been very much into urban music from Hip Hop and R’nB to Dancehall and Reggae. I was also a big follower of old skool garage and a bit on drum and bass. I’m very eclectic when it comes to music, I like a bit of everything but my passion’s with urban music.”
What made you want to get into DJing in the first place?
“I’ve grown up with music and have many friends who are DJ’s so it’s always been around me, it just wasn’t until last year that I actually considered doing it myself. I’ve always loved creating playlists for different occasions, whether it’s for a dinner party or getting ready to go to a rave. I’ve even created play lists for romantic nights, starting with slow jams to get you in the mood, Ha! Friends had always joked about me being a DJ because of my music collection and well thought out playlists, I just had to see if I could mix, which luckily I can. My sets have a lot of tribal beats and soulful vocals.”
How instrumental has your manager DJ Lisa Unique been to your career?
“She’s been very helpful, like most industries including modeling, most people go into it blind so it’s good to have someone in the know to guide you.”
What are your big 10 tunes in your box at the moment?
Thats a hard one! I DJ a bit of electro and commercial house as well to suit the crowd. I love the electro but my heart is with funky so i’ll give you my top 10 funky tracks..
01. Razy Cousinz feat Kyle – ‘Do you Mind’
02. Geeneus feat Baby Katy – ‘As I’
03. Attaca Pesante – ‘Make it Funky For Me’
04. Crazy Cousinz – ‘Bongo Jam’
05. Fuzzy Logic feat Egypt – In the Morning’
06. Maleka – ‘Go (crazy cousinz remix)’
07. DJ MA1 – ‘Im Right Here (DJ naughty remix)’
08. N B Funky – ‘Compromise’
09. Studio Apartment feat Yasmeen Sulieman – ‘Sun will Shine’
10. ILL Blu feat Princess – ‘Frontline’
Tell us about your work for the Breast Cancer Campaign…
“I raise around £5000 for Breast Cancer Campaign, I held a party and auction at Paper in London and also did a sky dive which was bloody horrible, ha. It was well worth it though to raise all that money for such a good cause. I’ve been recently thinking about what I could do next and for what charity.”
You have been on the front of magazines such as Loaded, Maxim, Nuts and Zoo – is the attention you get from guys in clubs a pain the arse whilst DJing?
“Guy’s don’t approach me much, I think they must be a bit intimidated?? I get quite a lot of stares but not many people actually talk to me, ha. When I’m actually DJ’ing they definatly don’t come up to me, they’ll be to busy dancing to my tunes obviously!”
Describe your DJing style…
“I like to take time to think of the order of my tunes so there’s a build up. Some DJ’s mix very quickly but I like to pick two songs that sound great together and take my time with the mix, that way it’s like hearing 3 songs rather than two because, if it sound wicked, the mix is a tune in it’s self! I probably pick a lot of vocal tunes as well which all the girls love and if the guys see the girls dancing and loving it the guys will love it to. I like to play sexy music but don’t get me wrong, I love a heavy beat and bassline.”
What have been your favourite clubs you have played at since starting DJing and what clubs do you REALLY want to play at?
“I’m not sure of my favourite club so far but I’m playing at the Homecoming Festival in Scotland in May and that should be amazing. I’m looking forward to playing in Goa in the Summer too. Amazing music in a beautiful, hot country, what more could you ask for?”
What has been the most fabulous party you’ve ever attended?
“The best parties were the one’s I went to when I was younger, probably because I was more off my head in those days. I used to travel around the country to random party’s and raves. I love a club with a few different rooms playing different music with a good variety of top DJ’s. That way you can wander around and nothing ever gets boring, you always have a lot to talk about the next day with those type of parties.”
What has been your best ever PR campaign you’ve fronted?
“Probably one for Premier Inn. I had to ride a camel, it was hilarious!”
If you could have one live artist singing live before your set, who would it be?
“Erm… another difficult one. Elvis or Tupac, that way loads of people would come (to see a miracle) and hopefully stay to hear my set!”
What DJs out there do you look up to / are inspirations to you?
“DJ EZ is amazing, I’ve looked up to him since a young age when I loved Garage. His tune selection and mixing is top class. He sometimes does 8 hour sets as well so how can you not look up to him! I can barely sleep for that long!”
Worst record you ever sang Karaoke to growing up?
“If you heard my voice you’d know why I went down the DJ’ing route and not singing. Kate Bush ‘Wuthering Heights’ is my favourite to do but for the listeners you could say thats the worst!
Sam x
