Recently, I went to the Reggae Land festival in Milton Keynes with my friends. I’d never been to a such a big festival.
It was exciting but also overwhelming. There were so many people and it was very hot. I had a really good time though. It reminded me how music has always been such a big part of my life.
Most people know me because of my research and campaigning. I’ve written in Community Living about improving social care and making sure people with learning disabilities have their voices heard. That is my job and something I care about.
But it’s also important to do something else in my spare time. DJing is my hobby. I have a job and I pay my own bills. I don’t DJ for a living. I do it because I love music.
We didn’t have much money growing up so we didn’t go to concerts or festivals. Instead, my musical education happened at home.
My older brothers had records, cassette tapes and Walkmans. Whenever they went out, I would sneak into their rooms, turn the music up and dance.
I have two older brothers, and one liked indie music like Suzanne Vega while the other listened to pop like Tiffany and The Bangles. My favourites were Michael Jackson, Prince, Bobby Brown and lots of R&B.
A start at Woolworths
I remember going into Woolworths and looking at all the singles which they used to display on the wall. The first cassette I bought was Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time in 1998.
When I was younger, I never imagined becoming a DJ. That changed when I was about 15 and I heard about arts organisation Heart n Soul’s DJ workshops at one of the charity’s events in south-east London.
I asked if there were any DJ places available. I had lessons at Heart n Soul in using CD decks and learned how to mix tracks together. It sounds simple but, when you’re standing in front of a crowd, it takes confidence.
The hardest part isn’t using the equipment. It’s staying calm and believing in yourself. You have to trust your instincts.
I know lots of different kinds of music. I listened to pop, soul, R&B, garage, hip hop, indie and rock growing up. That means I can understand what different crowds want to hear and how to move smoothly from one song to another.
I’ve played at Heart n Soul’s Squidz Club and its 30th birthday at the Southbank Centre, and the Bubble Club (an inclusive club night) in London. I also enjoy watching other DJs when I go out dancing because I learn something new.
Of course, everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes I play the wrong track or the transition doesn’t work properly. But mistakes help you improve. I never let them put me off.
There are also songs that almost always fill the dance floor. Michael Jackson’s Beat It and Thriller never seem to fail. And 21 Seconds by So Solid Crew is another one that gets people moving.
People sometimes come up to me after a set and tell me they enjoyed my music. That makes me really happy because I love sharing music with other people, especially younger generations who might never have heard some of these great artists.
DJing also helps me in my working life. Research and campaigning can be serious and demanding. Music gives me a chance to switch off, enjoy myself and recharge. A creative hobby gives me a good balance.
Music, art and creativity matter. They bring people together, build confidence and give us a chance to express ourselves. There is something for everyone, and I hope more people with learning disabilities feel confident to get involved, whether as a DJ, an artist or something completely different.
