When did you start getting in to music and DJ’ing?
I grew up listening to my dad obviously and Tim Westwood, Jumpin Jack Frost on Kiss FM and Choice FM. I always had an interest in Dj’ing, I used to love getting tapes from the US, and I used to get the HOT 97 Tapes which had the best US tracks on there. With my dad being my dad I grew up around a load DJs, it was normal. I used to just to do it entirely for fun and didn’t take it that seriously when I was young. I actually was more into football growing up, I used to play for the QPR youth team alongside Anton Ferdinand – at that time football was what I wanted and what I was primarily focused on and music was just around me.
What were some of the first tracks that go you into reggae and dancehall?
One of the first tracks that really kicked it off me was ‘Moschino’ by Glamma Kid; he was one of the first guys in dancehall that I saw that just had everyone captivated. I remember one Notting Hill Carnival and Kiss FM were hosting a stage; Glamma and my dad were playing. As soon as Glamma got on stage in his Moschino outfit and gold jewellery that crowd absolutely lost it. I remember chatting to him after the performance and that moment will always stay with me. ‘Banderelo’ by Pinchers and ‘Living Dangerously’ by Barrington and Bounty Killer were two tracks growing up that really caught my ear and I will always have a connection with.
Funnily enough my dad and I hardly ever talked about reggae and dancehall, because it was his job. I just did my thing and let my influences and ear guide me. In 2017 though I played alongside my dad at Reggae Geel in Belgium, it was one of the few times we have ever played alongside each other. All of sudden Supercat came on stage; I was mixing whilst my dad was going nuts on stage and Supercat was freestyling. Then Protoje came on stage as well, Rory Stone Love was also there, that was just such an epic night that I will always remember.
You don’t only mix dancehall and reggae; recently you have been bringing Jungle back into the London scene.
When I was 10 my parents gave me a Jungle Mania CD, I was immediately obsessed although I couldn’t really understand the beat. But as I listened more it was the samples that really got me. I think it is cool that Jungle has come back around and people are into it again – getting to asked to play a Boiler Room recently with a jungle set was really fun.
Dancehall is a global sound, what is it like playing out to countries where it isn’t so heavily represented?
It’s amazing; it is so rewarding seeing the crowds in Europe being so into it. I went as far as Israel recently on a Tour and it was incredible, they were fully up to speed on all the latest dancehall and dances. I was playing one show in Tel Aviv and one night some of the crowd just started dashing money at the decks, one guy actually threw his bankcard at me to basically just say ‘take all my money’.
It is amazing to see the power of dancehall, some people say it’s in decline but when you go out to some of these places it is pretty hard to realise that.
Who are some of the latest and greatest in UK dancehall in your opinion?
I’ve got to big up Don Andre of course, we have worked on some great tracks together and we have another song coming next year. I am going to be featuring a few other artists on that same riddim as well. You have someone like Stylo G now who is the leader really of the UK dancehall sound, through him a lot of people are finding other UK artists. I really rate Big Zeeks as well we have some stuff coming out soon; he has great energy and potential. There are plenty of UK dancehall artists but sometimes they aren’t as celebrated enough.
You have also got to remember some of the first artists who have really done well for themselves and the UK such as Tippa Irie, Bushkin, Sweetie Irie and Papa Levi. That is what I try and do on my radio show; showcase some of that UK talent that is sometimes forgotten about or not played out enough.
Who have a hugely successful radio some on Reprezent, who have been some of your favourite guests?
I’ve had some great moments on there, I had Koffee just before she properly blew up and everyone knew about her, she was awesome. Some of my favourite artists were Kranium. Dre Island, Bella Blair and loads of great guest mixes from different sounds around the world.
Dancehall always owns part of the summer festival, what were the top 5 tracks from this summer that tore up the dancehall floor?
1)   Squash & Vybz Kartel – Beat them Bad
2)Â Â Â Stylo G –Â Touch Down
3)   Jahvillani – Wileside Government
4)   Vybz Kartel – Any Weather
5)   Koffee – Toast
You can listen in to Jamie Rodigan’s weekly show every Thursday evening online at https://www.reprezent.org.uk/
