For July 2003 we interviewed Drum & Bass DJ/Producer Dhanu along with Lady MC:

SISTER SF: Where do you live, and what residencies/crews are you part of?

Dhanu: I come from Guernsey in the Channel Islands (UK). Crews include Rocco Recordings; Rocco Sistaz; Club 54; Solstice Sisters, Vale Earth Fair Promotions

Lady MC: I live in southeast London. Crews include Rocco Recordings, Rocco Sistaz; Solid Vinyl, Hipstep Massive.

SISTER SF: How did the Dhanu & Lady MC collaboration come into effect?

Dhanu: I first met Lady MC in Club Labyrinth around 1995, although we did not start working together until I moved to London in 2001. We have worked together ever since.

SISTER SF: Why and when did you begin your DJing/MCing? Did you have mentors?

Dhanu: I started DJing in August 1993. I used to buy a lot of vinyl from London when I was about 14, and so I ended up buying some turntables and taught myself to mix. There were no resident female DJ's in Guernsey, so it was a challenge and a great time for me to start. When I was 16 I went on Channel 4's Big Breakfast. From that I met a guy called Madbones of Quayside Records. He helped me out with the promos and dubs and I promoted his work in Guernsey. I'd say my Mentor back then was probably DJ Chemistry. I must have been about 12! It was actually her hair that originally caught my attention, on a mixed tape her and Storm had done. I bought it out of curiosity and I loved it.

Lady MC: I've been lyrical since aged 11. I started to MC when I was 15, through love of lyrics and music, and by being encouraged by Deemas J. He would give me the mic at Club Labyrinth in London. It was at Labyrinth, where I wrote and performed my first lyrics. I got residency there and that was the beginning for me. My Father played the guitar and I would write songs and sing along with him. I started 8 years ago. My mentors would have to be Deemas J (in the earlier days) and TC Izlam & Prince Tafari (to this day!).

SISTER SF: What would you say your styles were?

Dhanu: I don't limit myself to a particular style of D&B, but I would say I prefer a darker, harder style, some jump up, some vocals too! Anything that has lots of energy!

Lady MC: my MCing style I hope people would think is original. I try to be as melodic as possible and work between rapping & singing. I don't chat fast like most of the drum and bass MCs, for the main reason, you should be able to hear the lyrics. I personally think that, when MCs chat too fast you cant understand what their saying, hence, why chat in the first place?

SISTER SF: You have a record label - tell us more about starting that, and your plans for the future.

Dhanu: I set up Rocco Recordings in October 2002. The label is run by myself and Lady MC, plus a team of about 10 people now. Our first release, Hot Sh$t, is doing the rounds on promo now and has had some really great reviews. Also coming soon will be Foxy 2 Tails by myself and Embase, and tracks from other artists, T.B.A.

SISTER SF: Any other production work in the pipeline?

Lady MC: I've also been working with Solid Vinyl as an artist. I have four releases due this year, The Message, Hipstep Bwoy, Hot Sh$t (Dhanu, feat Prince Tafari) and Hipsteppin Round the World. All to be released through Solid Vinyl Records.

SISTER SF: Have you had any classical music training?

Dhanu: no classical training, although I have trained in audio engineering. I just play by ear!

Lady MC: I have had no classical training, but I do have a vocal trainer who keeps me up to scratch.

SISTER SF: How did you choose your DJ name?

Dhanu: Dhanu is my real name, its Indian.

Lady MC: at the time, when choosing my name, I just thought, Lady … MC, sod it, Lady MC! I didn't really think anything of it. I did think at one stage of my career my name was a bit boring but I realized that I am one of the first in the UK, so, I think I can get away with it. I remember at Club Labyrinth, the promoters didn't know my stage name so they put on the flyer "MC Kerry" which I thought was hilarious!!

SISTER SF: What type of music is really popular where you live right now?

Lady MC: London drum and bass scene is massive, it's the home of Jungle. There are many events every to attend every day, so there is always somewhere to go if you're a Junglist! Not just in London, the whole of the UK supports the scene. I personally prefer going out of London, the vibe is always amazing. Garage was quite popular in London, but now UK Hip Hop is definitely taking a stand, which we think is excellent!

SISTER SF: How do you feel has the music scene where you live has changed since you began DJing?

Dhanu: In my opinion it's changed massively! When I started DJing back in 1993 it was more a jungle style. And you were listening to MCs Tenor Fly and Rebel MC etc., Cosmo & Dibs, Jam & Spoon, and buying labels like Ibiza, Renk, Moving Shadow, Suburban Base, Boogie Times, Reinforced, R&S, XL etc. There has been a huge change. I personally prefer a lot of the older stuff around the 1993, 1994, 1995 time!

SISTER SF: What do you think it will be like in the future?

Lady MC: I think with the new generation of ravers, drum and bass goes from strength to strength and with so many talented producers and more up and coming artists coming through it will definitely be a new era!

Dhanu: plus there is so much competition now, and so many amazingly talented artists, you have no choice but to try your hardest and meet high standards.

SISTER SF: Where is your favourite place to MC?

Lady MC: definitely Germany & America!! Germans dance til they drop!! Americans love the lyrics!!

SISTER SF: What problems have you encountered as a woman artists?

Dhanu: being lazy and getting other people to carry my record bag!

Lady MC: being taken seriously!

SISTER SF: What do you do to make sure you're given and equal opportunities as a woman DJ?

Lady MC: I just make sure that I'm paid properly -like the guys are!

SISTER SF: What woman (in general) do you admire most & why?

Dhanu: Madonna, Mary J Blige, MC Lyte, Da Brat, Lady of Rage, Lauryn Hill, Neneh Cherry, Foxy Brown. They are all very mentally strong female artists and they tell it like it is!

Lady MC: I have to copy Dhanu, Madonna (we have the same birthday!) is definitely a respected role model, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Whitney Houston & Salt n Peppa. All these artists didn't get an easy break and I have a lot of admiration for them because they stuck at what they believed in and now they are famous for their work!

SISTER SF: How do you feel about "all female" music events?

Dhanu: Well, I definitely support "all female" events. It brings together all women in the scene, which I love to see. I love to listen to women doing their thang! But on the other side, it's separating the males and females, which is not good because we all have to try to learn to work together. We work in one scene.

SISTER SF: What record labels do you look for in record stores?

Dhanu: Solid Vinyl, V, Full Cycle, Undiluted, Ebony, Commercial Suicide, Easy Records, Formation, TOV, Valve, Virus (there are so many good labels)!

SISTER SF: Who are your favourite MCs?

Lady MC: I love working with MC Moose & Five-O, Ragga Twins & Navigator, Chalky White. MC Fearless always gets me moving. MCs like Stamina & MC Shady are heavy too … I like a lot of MCs!

SISTER SF: When you're not working in the clubs, what do you do?

Dhanu: working in the studio; generally running the label; listening to new artists; eating out and going to the beach is very important!!!

Lady MC: When I'm not working, I'm either on the radio & in the studio. I do boxing once a week and spend the rest of my time talking on the phone!

SISTER SF: Dhanu, exactly what equipment do you use for DJing (Technics 1200 turntables etc.)? Dhanu: Technics 1200s; Pioneer DJM-600

SISTER SF: Where would you most like to work in the world?

Dhanu: Definitely Australia, Japan, and of course San Francisco.

SISTER SF: Gig horror story?

Dhanu: we were playing at a club London and after my set I thought I had lost my bag back stage. I had the promoter and everyone backstage looking for it and calling people. It was right beside me all along. I did look stupid, but I had to laugh, I do like to make an idiot of myself sometimes!

Lady MC: I was working in Germany and I was wearing this short zipped dress. I was doing my thing on the stage and my zip came undone. You know the rest!!

SISTER SF: If you could steal anyone's record box and get away with it, whose would you run off with?

Dhanu: Funkmaster Flex!

SISTER SF: Got any words of advice for DJs / MCs just getting started?

Dhanu: Be friendly, but be professional Don't just send demos to promoters, call first. Make it more personal. Make sure the presentation of your material is perfect, first impressions count. Be original - don't be like your favourite DJ/MC. All artists get knock backs and criticisms - learn by them, and don't give up!

Lady MC: OK, Dhanu! That's what I wanted to say!

Dhanu: you're always talking, it's my turn.

SISTER SF: What are your goals for the future?

Dhanu: We're working with other producers and artists at the moment so we're busy with releases coming up. We've just taken on a new weekly residency here in Guernsey. But as well as DJing and the record label, another very important issue for my future right now is training in law, so I have to channel my time and energy into lots of different areas right now. We've got some exciting plans coming up too!

Dhanu and Lady MC were interviewed by XJS.

Want to know more? Read the Dhanu bio in our Guest DJs section.

For bookings & other info, please visit: www.roccorecordings.com