Hi Danny D

We appreciate the work you are putting into the scene over the years and we think it is about time the community got to know more about you.

1. How did it all begin and what inspired you to become a fully-fledged DJ?

I used to work with my uncle every week. I used to help him set up his equipment. After a while I got the urge to attempt to learn how to DJ. I started off using an app on my iPod touch which helped me to learn the music and start mixing. BAS Awards 2011, I was working with my Uncle and he went to the restroom and left me on his decks, the tune was coming to an end so I had to try and mix in another track on proper decks, of which I managed to successfully do it. After the mix it gave me the confidence to continue. My uncle walked back into the room, saw the crowd enjoying themselves and left again to go to the bar. There was 1 person in particular in the crowd that was encouraging me to play more because he enjoyed the way i played, so i continued from then and received good feedback from my uncle. A year later at the 2012 BAS Awards I found out that the person that was encouraging me a year earlier turned out to be Josh (J Press) of the Zharty Crew.

2. Where did your DJ name come from?

It was originally DJ DanDMan, but that was too much of a mouth full. I was then listening to my cousin (DTee) on the radio and he said “DanDMan is too much, your new name is DannyD.” So from then my name was set.

3. What was the first record you ever bought?

Usher – Confessions album.

4. What kind of equipment do you work with?

Laptop using Serato and controllers.

5. Vinyl, CD or MP3?

Out of the three, MP3, but I use Wave files because the quality is a lot better.

6. What sets you apart from other DJs?

I am young and have many new and different ideas for what I can bring to the soca scene. I also know about the production side of music whereas most DJs don’t.

7. How would you describe your style of playing?

I like to keep a vibe within a party and I try my best to keep my mixing tight and smooth with the music constantly flowing. My style is to try and keep the crowd on a certain level when they are partying, this helps to give the revelers a better time at the party.

8. Tell us how do you unwind after each gig?

Well if I’m not the last DJ to play, then I will join the crowd and party with them, its the best way to relax.

9. What are your thoughts on the soca scene at the moment and what would you like to see improve?

From what I can currently see, its a mess. But due to certain individuals within the scene, there is hope that things can be cleaned up and the scene can develop in a more productive way for everyone in it. There is too much back stabbing and people being two faced within the scene. Some people may say that I’m young and I don’t know what I’m talking about but there does not need to be such a big divide between everyone on the scene. I believe that if everyone works together on the scene, soca within the UK can be developed and can become more than just a two day thing.

10. What advice would you give to up and coming DJs hoping to break it out on the UK scene?

Well I’m not completely on the scene myself, so  would say I’m still up and coming. But the advice I have been getting from everyone around has been similar, not to back stab or bad mouth anyone, stay humble and enjoy playing the music because the crowd feeds off the vibe from the DJ.

11. Who is your musical soca icon?

Machel Montano, because his enthusiasm towards Soca music is amazing. He works so hard when recording his tracks, his videos are of high quality and he is very imaginative with what he does. As an artist that started off singing soca music at the age of 9 and is still going strong, that is just stunning.

12. Favourite 2013 soca lyric and why?

“Cya get in trouble, for a little bubble. Ya cya get lockup for a little wukup.” – Patrice Robers – Little Whine. This is my favourite lyric because so many people think of whining in the wrong way. When a male dances with a female at a party, it does not mean that they are trying anything more, it is just a dance and people need to realise this. Once people see this, there will be a lot less fights at parties all around.

13. Where do you spin usually and where can music lovers find you?

14. And last but not least 5 things that we didn’t know about you?

1. I’m originally a producer.
2. I was not into Soca until 2011.
3. I don’t drink.
4. I study IT.
5. I’m into my sports.