Industry Masters: MistaJam
When it comes to DJ’s people always like to put labels on people and associate you with a certain type of music. Tim Westwood: hiphop, Trevor Nelson: R&B/Soul, Fabio & Grooverider: D&B and so on. Then there is Nottingham’s MistaJam mostly associated with… yeah, its not easy to tag MistaJam with any one genre, a pioneer, tastemaker, new music breaker and always at the forefront of every single new urban, dance genre.
Best known for being the Key to the underground holding down the evening slot Mon-Thur 19.00-22.00 on BBC 1Xtra with a playlist nearly as eclectic as the legendary John Peel (RIP) and with one of the most Iconic voices in radio, what makes MistaJam an Industry Master?
He is no stranger to putting In the work, making his name in the Nottingham hiphop scene as the DJ for Nots crew ‘Out da ville’ and broadcasting on pirate radio alongside the legendary Joe Buhdha, then running SureShot Entertainment organising the ‘UK Takeover’ events, which were before the ‘Boombap Festival’ the most prestigious events in the UK hiphop calendar, giving the genre a much needed live platform, most of these events were filmed and put out on dvd.
Joining BBC 1Xtra in 2005 MistaJam really came in to his own, with the tag line ‘The Key To The Underground’ his shows are a must for anyone wanting to stay at the forefront of new music. Hiphop, Grime, D&B, Dubstep, House, Bashment and more are all on the playlist taking you on a journey through the underground, in style all narrated by one of the best voices in UK radio. With new and former features the ‘Daily Dose Of Dubstep’, the ‘Jam Hot’ record of the week, regular guest mixes from some of the best DJs in the industry, including heavy contributions from DJ Cable & Logan Sama, plus regular sessions from the world famous Maida Vale studios. Throw in guests like Tinie Tempha, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, The Weekend through to live studio sessions with everyone from Dizziee Rascall, Skepta, Craig David, Big Narstie, Kano, Wretch 32, Chip and many, many more. With all of theses show features and more MistaJam has managed to stay at the top of his radio game for over ten years and counting, not an easy position to hold in an industry that changes as quick as the British weather. A multi Radio Academy Award winner in 2011/2012 its great that the industry has given back to a man who has provided the soundtrack to millions, as well as helped break many unsigned artists, giving them the much needed exposure to get signed.
Whether he is tearing down dance floors at clubs and festivals across the world with genre spanning sets, releasing successful multi genre mixes MistaJam is a DJ who is always in demand. A man who will never steer you wrong with new music, running the hugely successful ‘Speakerbox Media’ which is your one stop shop for new music, mixes and of course events. The surprise return of Craig David towards the end of last year, going back to his garage roots with the huge single “When The Bass Line Drops” alongside Big Narstie, was debuted on Mistajam’s show and then signed to ‘Speakerbox Media’ the single was a huge success charting at number 10 in the UK singles chats. MistaJam is not only on trend, he is setting trends and predicting them with flawless accuracy.
Not just refined to radio and raves. He was head hunted by Jaguar cars to be their lead music consultant for the launch of the Jaguar F Type. Continuing his relationship with the BBC MistaJam was a presenter and music consultant for the critically acclaimed BBC 2 television show ‘No Hats No Trainers’. With over ten years at the top and still going strong MistaJam has to be arguably the best thing to come out of Nottingham since Robin Hood, and a true industry master.