DJ Sykik Returns with Vinyl-Only UKG Pressure
Serious underground pressure from DJ Sykik with his second edition Vinyl Only UK Garage guest mix exclusively for the Vinyl Vandals Collective.
Press Play…
Recorded live in London, UK.
Artwork by Toyan Creative Studios @toyancreativestudios (Instagram)
Sykik is a DJ, A&R and vinyl collector with an impressive catalogue of vintage vinyl cuts and dubs. From 1997 to the present day, he has been cutting dubplates and DJing on London pirate radio, including the infamous Rinse FM, Flava FM, Deja Vu and more recently London’s SubJam Radio.
Sykik’s craft in cutting vinyl dubplates has been central to his exclusivity, enabling him to play music no one else has. Over the years, these special dubplates have set him apart, and he gives special mention to Moodswing Cuts and DJ Perception for cutting and producing the majority of them.
Having worked with Dizzee Rascal, Wiley & others in the grime scene, he has returned with another exclusive guest mix for the Vinyl Vandals collective — 90 minutes of oldskool garage and a new wave of UKG. Energy and vibes which won't disappoint.
Interview with DJ Sykik
How did you get into DJing?
I got into DJing through my love of listening to early pirate radio stations, attending jungle raves, and listening to tape packs. Also, I had a large group of friends who shared a love and passion for underground music. We were all involved in becoming DJs and MCs, so I suppose you could say it was a collective passion we all loved.
What are your earliest & best memories of starting as a DJ?
Some of my best memories from my early days are DJing at house parties and on Pirate radio stations.
You are a respected vinyl connoisseur. What is it about vinyl that makes it so special to you?
I love the physical format, and each vinyl holds history. When you buy it yourself, or if you buy it from someone or somewhere else, there is a story behind each slice, but most of all, the DIG!
Record store digging is a time where you can lock yourself away from the world and dive deep, searching for new music you haven't heard before, whether it be new or 30 years old.
One of the main factors that led to my decision to remain a vinyl DJ was that I stopped DJing in 2005, when the digital scene began. So I never experienced it and never gave it any thought or time.
When I rekindled my love and passion for the art in 2018, I knew no other way than to start spinning vinyl again, and ever since doing this, I have created an even bigger love and passion for vinyl.
Digital does not interest me at all.
Your first guest mix for the Vinyl Vandals in September 2020 had the Vv audience raving about you. Can you give us more of an insight into this mix and your selection process?
For this mix, I intentionally chose a mix of new and unreleased material from both new and established producers. There are some old ‘90s cuts thrown in the mix as well to spice it up, but I wanted to showcase more of what is up and coming. There's more to UK garage than what's widely known, with many new and underground producers trying to recreate the ‘90s sound and vibe. Some of these talented producers are doing it very well, as you will hear in the mix. A lot of these tracks, you would think they were made in the '90s. Also, my grime and jungle roots tell you that I love the darker vibe, so I threw in some deeper, darker bits to show how broad the styles are from the various producers.
“DJ Sykik is one of those DJs who lives by the traditional values of a true vinyl DJ. Whilst some, including myself, have transitioned with digital, Sykik’s journey has remained analogue to the very highest level. This is something that I truly respect and appreciate, so I am delighted to have him back for another exclusive mix.”
More about DJ Sykik…
DJ Sykik is a vinyl A&R for @damnrightpuremusic.
You can keep up to date with DJ Sykik on Instagram at @sykikdj
Find him on Soundcloud here.
Find him on Mixcloud here.
Catch him live in the mix on @subjamfm radio UK time 8–10 pm Wednesday nights, bi-weekly.
Upcoming dates:
24th August – Sunrooms for @massdayandnight
12th September – Good Bit of Kit presents UK Garage to Denmark.
20th September – Sunrooms for @locomotive birthday party
27th September – Music Is Life – Simply Garage @rollingstock, Shoreditch, East London
If you missed the first instalment, listen back here!
Chino Vv
Providing a musical journey with sweet and melodic vocals layered upon mellow, deep, grooves, using a unique arrangement of beats, acapellas, loops, and custom samples, that takes each listener on a unique journey.
