DJ Dhanu

Born: 28 May 1977
Born & Lives: Guernsey, Channel Islands
Dhanu is the front lady of Rocco Recordings and Guernsey’s first resident female DJ.

Who is DJ Dhanu?

I was born and raised in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, UK.

I have had a love for music since before I can remember, from a very early childhood. I loved most kinds of music including pop, hip hop and R&B. I have loved Madonna’s music, since I was about 6 years old at the beginning of her career in 1984. She is still a great inspiration for me now. Some of my favorite singers are Madonna and Mary J Blige. I listen to hip hop and R&B the most. I love all sorts though, too much to mention!!!

At a younger age I was not interested in school and did not care to go to lessons very often. I saved my energy into going out and listening to music. I started visiting London from the age of about 14. I would record about 10 hours of Kool FM and visit as many record stores as I could in a weekend, mainly Blackmarket, Lucky Spin, Unity and Razor in them days! The first D&B tape I ever bought was a mixed tape by Kemistry & Storm on a Camden Market, I loved it and I was caught up from there.

Expelled from school at 15, I went into any job I could, just so I could afford to save enough money to buy some turntables.

Why did you become a DJ?

Because I loved it, that was my buzz. I spent every spare bit of cash I had on records and was more interested in learning to mix than going to school or work. I kept up my visits to London, to visit Blackmarket Records in Soho every couple of months to see the locals Nicky, Ash and Ray. Then I would go out raving in the evening.

At 16, we did the “Family of the Week” thing on Channel 4’s Big Breakfast. They organized a rave for me in Zig & Zag’s bathroom on live TV at about 7.30 in the morning! Z&Z were dressed from head to toe in Reinforced gear! From that I met a guy called Madbones of Quayside Records. From then on he helped me out with the promos and dubs and I promoted his work in Guernsey.

How did it feel, to be Guernsey's first female DJ?

When I first started I was only 16 so I was not allowed to play in the clubs. I was limited to the house parties and illegal beach parties. People here seemed to accept me as a DJ straight away and I never had any problems with being female. The other DJ’s on the circuit here were very supportive. We have all grown up together, so we all get on well and support each other. Even the girls in the clubs were supportive, because I had broken through a male dominated area here. I have had great support from Guernsey. Despite Guernsey’s lack of dance scene, especially drum and bass, work built up right from the start, from the local voluntary clubs keeping kids off the streets, to illegal raves and beach parties. Mostly in my early age I worked for nothing, just because I enjoyed it.

What about once you turned 18?

Once I was 18, I was old enough to work in the clubs and I built up residencies in Guernsey. As I grew older I knew I had to work harder and get a proper job to keep up the fad for buying records and visiting London, until the cash started coming in! I worked my arse off studying law and management part time, which is what I still do now.

And now you have grown up?

Ha ha! I moved to London in 2001, for one year to study audio engineering. During my time there I worked for a few promoters such as Dekefex, Best of British, Sound Smugglaz and The Fridge. Wherever I got bookings I took Lady MC with me. She has been great! I did not really concentrate on the DJing side of things to be honest. I had to focus on the audio training side. It was very tiring living in a big city, which I am not used to, and getting next to no sleep from work, study, clubbing! I'm used to fresh sea air and beaches, although I do miss London a lot, so I'll be back for sure.

Where did you meet Lady MC?

I first met Lady MC in Club Labyrinth around 1995 when I used to visit London go raving with MC Chalky White. Although we did not start working together until I moved to London in 2001. We have worked together ever since.

For how long have you been DJing?

I have been DJing now for nearly 10 years, since 1993.

What sort of music do you listen to at home?

Mostly R&B and hip hop. I don’t really listen to D&B unless I’m playing out or I’m in the studio.

What do you do to relax?

Tomb Raider, Friends, Sex And The City, and Brandy! When I’m not working I try to relax as much as possible. I have a great yoga teacher who I visit twice a week. That keeps me relaxed and bendy! I also have a dog, I walk her on the beach, that's very relaxing.

What are your plans for the future?

I have now left London and returned back home to the Channel Islands to concentrate on the production side of music. I will be running and managing the label with the assistance of a few other people.

What is your ultimate goal for Rocco Recordings?

Right now Rocco is in its first stages, there is a lot of work to do. But ultimately I want the Rocco label to be recognized as a top quality label. I want people to see the Rocco logo and know they are buying good quality beats, whether it be dark, bubbly, sexy beats – whatever it is – it will be quality. I would rather release fewer tracks, than put out any old kind of shit. There is so much competition and so many great labels and talented artists putting out amazing work. You need to work like a soldier.

The label is run mainly by myself and Lady MC, and also MCs Deemas J and Chalky White as promoters. Kristine is responsible for the admin side. Howie is the engineer and technical support.

Releases are due for 2003 along with a "1993 - 2003" CD mixed by Dhanu to celebrate her 10th year of DJing!

For more information, please visit: www.roccorecordings.com

For bookings & other inquiries, please email Dhanu: dhanu@roccorecordings.com