DJ Dominate Interview 1993

This issue, Blaze bring to you an interview on one of the rising stars of the scene today. Dominate the 23 year old deck master, well known in various parts of the country has shown he’s a DJ who really knows how to kick a party when in full flow on the decks. Currently, he’s not one of the biggest names on the circuit, but watch out he’s coming up fast. If names didn’t count for anything in this scene, he would be in the top 5 DJ’s in the UK. Lots enter the world of Mr Dominate, read on and discover the future to be…

What is your real name?
Well, over the years every one has just called me Dominate, so I’ve now adopted that name as a sort of real name.

Ok then, where did the name Dominate originate from?
I picked my name from a Heavy D record back in 1986 with the word Dominate said in it. I chose Dominate because at the time I was playing Hip Hop and scratching is one of the main features of DJing Hip Hop tracks. With this in mind I thought Dominate was a good choice as I was able to scratch the name out over the speakers which sounded real good.

Right, so when did you first start DJ’ing?
When I was a little “Hip Hopper” back in 1983.

I became a DJ because I liked the sound effects on the records when the DJ’s were scratching up the Hip Hop. In those days there was no mixing, just scratching.

Obviously at the time you were into the Hip Hop/Electro scene, how did you get into this type of music?
Basically, whilst at school one day a friend gave me a tape that had loads of what I guess I thought was funny music at the time. I listened to it and one record stuck in my mind, that being “Planet Rock”.

From then on I just went wild to the music and of course discovered it was called Hip Hop/Electro. From then, I got myself some decks and started practising, not before long I managed to start DJ’ing.

You’ve now been DJ’ing for 10 years. When did you get into the house/hardcore scene?
My first experience of raves was back in 1989 when I went to a few parties. I began to love the music and the atmosphere at events, so I decided to drop the Hip Hop DJing and tunnelled my attention on the rave scene.

When did you get your first real break in today’s scene?
Back in 1989, I was playing at a lot of small raves, but my career really got going when Raindance picked me up and used me for an event back in 1991. Now I’ve played at almost every Raindance since then and things have gone from strength to strength.

What style of DJ would you call yourself?
I’m a scratch-mix DJ. When playing, I always try to make the record sound a little different by scratching certain effects over the top of a tune. This makes my set, I feel, entertaining and also stamps my own original style on to the music which is so important these days. I like to give the crowd something different, as my job is to entertain.

What type of music do you play?
I don’t play real heavy Jungle. I love playing what I feel the crowd really want, uplifting Breakbeat tunes and hard rhythmic bouncy stuff.

What do you like most about DJ’ing?
Pleasing the crowd had to be top of the list, there’s nothing better.

What do you hate most about DJ’ing?
Going all the way to an events and then being told on arrival that I’m not playing because there’s not enough people turned up to pay me.

So how many events are you playing on average around the country now?
I do around 3 a weekend which keeps me happy.

What’s the best event you have ever played at?
There’s so many I could talk about, but a few I would like to mention include Raindance in Spain last year, Love Of Life events and Inter Dance events.

You have played in Spain, have you ever played in any other foreign countries?
Yes. Greece and America. Also I’m planning to play in Switzerland in the middle of August which should be a great experience.

Why do you think you’ve been successful as a DJ?
There’s a few reasons. One is because I’m always hungry and eager to play the music to the crowd. Secondly, my style is original and different to a lot of others. Finally, because I’ve been DJ’ing since the age of 13, I’ve had plenty of experience which helps out.

What do you think of the all night party scene at present?
It seems to have lost its enthusiasm, there’s not many things original around any more. Also, I don’t think the sound is loud enough at events any more because of the sound restrictions by Councils and stuff.

What about the music?
At the moment the music is too fast, as everybody keeps saying, but nobody seems to be doing anything about it. The tunes need to be more thought through and rhythmic.

And how can you see the future going?
I can see hardcore music dying unless it changes itself to more happier and constructive format. A while ago the UK used to be bombarded with US imports, now it’s been reversed they are the exporting the UK stuff into the US. Perhaps it’s time it was reversed back to how it was?

In today’s scene, with MC’s, what’s your opinion on MC’s?
Now a days you need an MC as the crowd has become custom to it. They’re ok, although I hate it when they go on too much, especially when I’m mixing. One MC I work well with and respect is Matrix.

What other DJ’s do you rate?
There are a few that impress me including Hype, Slipmatt, Carl Cox and all scratch-mix DJ’s.

Ok, what’s been your most embarrassing moment as a DJ?
Nothing really bad has happened, except I left my records at a club once. I had finished my set and was rushing to get to the next event. By the time I had got half way to the next party I suddenly realised I had forgotten my records. So I had to drive all the way back and collect them. Lucky enough I was still able to play at the next event at a different time.

What do you do in your spare time?
I devote most of my spare time to music and playing around on the decks trying new ideas. Although I do like listening to my Hip Hop where current breakbeat originated from.

What are your ambitions for the future?
To make a record and get my name more across the all night party scene.

What advice have you for up and coming DJ’s?
Basically, I agree with Slipmatt’s comments in a previous interview, don’t bother at the moment unless you are exceptional.