TOP DANCER DJ’S YOU SHOULD KNOW!
With carnival and summer closing events around the corner, we decided to curate a list of some of the top dancer DJ’s about, to make sure your summer ends on a big vibe, check them out!
ARTHI
Location London, UK
Dance Background Streetdance, Afro, Salsa (Cuban & LA Styles)
Dancehall
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Baile Funk
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Garage
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Baseline
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Global Club Sounds
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Dancehall // Baile Funk // Garage // Baseline // Global Club Sounds //
Arthi by Sophia Carey at All Points East 2024 - Click Image for Insta
Most notable dance achievements?
“I have danced in music videos for artists including Beyoncé, Dave, Charli xcx, Saweetie, Amaarae and Kali Uchis and performed live at the O2 arena with Tiwa Savage for Afrorepublik.”
How has dance influenced your selection and mixing?
“Dance is at the heart of my mixing. My selections and blends come from a place of thinking “how can I build an environment where people feel seen, happy and free enough to dance?”
Most Notable DJ’ing achievements?
“Last year, me and my team launched my first club night “Arthi hard,” which brings together dancers and DJs to perform side-by-side on stage. The togetherness I feel in the crowd at those nights is special to me and hearing people say they feel at home in those spaces makes me really proud.”
Where can we find you playing?
“I’ve got special plans for the UK and worldwide this autumn, so sign up via the link in my bio to receive the first info on where I’m playing!”
JAY JAY
REVLON
Location - London, UK // Hometown - Peckham, London, UK
Dance Background - Streetdance (Waacking & Vogue), Contemporary, Ballet
Afro Sounds
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House
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R&B
Afro Sounds // House // R&B
Click Image for Insta
“I have an electric music library, I don’t like to box myself in!'“
Most Notable Dance Achievements?
“My Vogue video with Nike is definitely one of my highlights. Sundown Kiki Reloaded at the Young Vic Theatre was also Ovah!”
How has dance influenced your selection and mixing?
“So many memories come to mind. Like growing up dancing in my house with my grandparents and my mum or at my 7 year old birthday party and the Jamaican selector is playing. There is something that switches in my brain when I hear music. Don't you wanna dance, say you wanna dance?”
Most Notable DJ’ing achievements?
“I see every gig as an achievement. It's about the people, so if someone is having fun then that's notable for me. Some great ones from the past year include - Sydney- Mardi Gras, Boiler Room, Ibiza - Pacha & a mixed culture, same sex wedding.”
Where can we find you playing?
“Anywhere you book me next! Check out my socials for more info. “
DJ MISTER S
Location London, UK // Hometown, Peckham, London, UK
Dance Background - Streetdance
Hip Hop
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Dancehall
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R&B
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Afro Sounds
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Funk
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Soul
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Garage
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House
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Future Beats
Hip Hop // Dancehall // R&B // Afro Sounds // Funk // Soul // Garage // House // Future Beats
Click Image for Insta
Most notable dance achievements?
Thriller Live West end and International Tour (Ensemble Dancer & Lead MJ role), Giggs Music videos, 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony, ‘Tree’ theatre production by Kwame Kwei-Armah & Idris Elba.
How has dance influenced your selection and mixing?
Being a dancer helped train my music ear to understand feeling and a deeper connection to instrumentation. My ear for music grew stronger and i was able to appreciate hearing new sounds. Not to mention the BIG bonus of having count structure embedded in your system. This was a great transferable skill when learning how to count musical beat patterns.
Most Notable DJ’ing achievements?
Creating my co-founded brand Nava London, Djaying internationally, Working with brands such as Nike, Gymshark, Shake Shack, Red Bull and Louis Vuitton.
Where can we find you playing?
For more regular spots, you can catch me playing at Oldschool R&B Brunch and most events run by Nava London or The Midnight Train.
ONAI
Location - London, UK // Hometown - Drogheda, Ireland
Dance Background - Streetdance (Foundations & Freestyle)
Hip Hop
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Afrobeats
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R&B
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Amapiano
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Garage
Hip Hop // Afrobeats // R&B // Amapiano // Garage
Onai by Jose Galang - Click Image for Insta
How has dance influenced your selection and mixing?
10000% - someone actually the other day was having a conversation and said that a lot of their favourite DJs are/were dancers. I think how we hear and feel music is a little different, I play from a place of feeling the vibe which is something especially as freestyle dancers we definitely have engrained in us. You know when a beat or a bass is going to move your bodyyy. Also being around dancers and dance event your are around so much music of so much range it is hard not to be influenced in a positive way some dancers I have the blessing of being around who never fail are KAPELA, Caetlyn Watson and Homebros. If could rob x3 laptops it would be theirs.
Most notable dance achievements?
I would say one of my notable dance achievements was getting to the top 8 finals when I was 14 so like 11 years ago. I had just really started to battle and I remember just going round after round, I was beaten out by Nathan Evans I the finals after a tie, but I remember just being super inspired by the music (Shoutout DJ Khan FU) and the the dancers. I also got to cast and choreograph a music video for artist SOULE - Body. I had danced for her a couple of times before so when when her at the time manager called me and I was given full casting a choreography freedom I had the best time the music video turned out so epic and still til I now I lurvvvv it.
Most Notable DJ’ing achievements?
“ For me it would definitely be winning the Born N Bread DJ competition last year, this is definitely what has kick started my career it was my first ever official live set and I still re-live it in my head plus they have been so supportive since then, also getting to DJ in Japan and Prague this year was outrageous I had not put international sets on my list so it was nuts. Last year I played for Heineken at Electric Picnic, it was one of my favourite sets, I had so many friends and family come to support and it was actually quite emotional for me. Like a final stamp on what had been an epic summer last year. “
Where can we find you playing?
I play regularly in Adidas on Oxford street so come and catch a vibe you can also find me at Gaucho in Covent Garden. Summer is almost done but still some fun ones left... I will be at All Together Now festival, Electric Picnic festival, Rendezvous, Girls Room, Hoxton and a few more. (Follow my insta for the updates)
KANE HORN
Location - London, UK
Dance Background - Streetdance, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet
House
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Techno
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Breakbeats
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Grime
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UK Funky
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Garage
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House // Techno // Breakbeats // Grime // UK Funky // Garage //
Kane Horn by Karis Beaumont - Click Image for Insta
Most notable dance achievements?
Touring the world w/ multiple artists, 3 nights at Wembley stadium with Spice Girls, Glastonbury headline and Maddison Square Gardens with Dua Lipa.
How has dance influenced your selection and mixing?
Dance definitely helped me in terms of finding nuances between sounds and pockets of rhythm and being able to find pathways between genres and feelings.
Most Notable DJ’ing achievements?
The Lot Radio, Balamii Residency, Playing in New York, Barcelona, London.
Where can we find you playing?
