LU40, RudeOne

26. Jan, 2010 Comments

Roan aka RudeOne started listening to Jungle/Drum n Bass at an early age. Drum n Bass records were impossible to come by in Africa and he soon found himself importing records from the UK, using his mom’s credit card of course… As his record collection/addiction grew he became more interested in the art of deejaying and began to “mix” at house parties whilst still in school. He started taking his deejaying seriously and hooked up a slot at club Reality in Johannesburg at the age of 17 before going over to the UK a few years later.

After being “homeless” in London for a while, he moved in with a well respected UK Hip-Hop & Drum n Bass crew called Rebel Alliance. Being surrounded by top Dj’s, MC’s and Producers day in and day out, he quickly refined his mixing skills and was ready to take on the 1’s and 2’s professionally. While still in the UK, he also hooked up with the Knowledge Magazine crew and played at their monthly event “BarKnowlege @ Cafe 1001″ alongside some of the biggest names in the scene.

On RudeOne’s return to Johannesburg in 2004, he was asked to join and do events with the Reflex crew (one of the top Drum n Bass crews in Joburg at the time) and was soon known for his broad range of musical taste and talent.

In 2007 Roan realized that he plays a key role in the growth of the Drum n Bass scene in South Africa and together with Hip hop DJ CutKeyLow, they formed the well respected Science Frikshun movement. Now in its third year Science Frikshun has done well over 50 events showcasing some of the top local and international artists and continues to host the only monthly Drum n Bass event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Roan has also featured on national radio station 5FM on numerous occasions, playing closing sets on Roger Goode’s Saturday Surgery and on the 5FM Vinyl Frontier shows respectively. More recently, RudeOne also played the first ever Drum n Bass set on The Ultimix@6 (5FM DJ Fresh’s afternoon drive show) where the response have been phenomenal. Roan has rocked crowds everywhere in South Africa from Cape Town to Johannesburg alongside big international names including Noisia, Counterstrike, Robyn Chaos, Dieselboy, Danny Wheeler and Temper D to name but a few.

Can you describe your personal sound in a bit more detail?
It’s kind of difficult because people tend to think that I’m a strictly “Jump up/Dancefloor” DJ but I’m really a big fan of all sub-genres of Drum n Bass and I try to showcase a bit of everything during a set while still keeping the flow and also trying to keep it as interesting/entertaining as possible. I usually just go out with a big bag of tunes and go where the crowd takes me.

What/who have been Influences in your life?
I’ve always had a love for music but I would say my main influence/inspiration came from the 2 years that I spend in the UK. Going to parties, seeing my favourite artists perform live week in and week out and also living in a house where everything was about the music. All of this played a big role in my life as a Drum n Bass DJ. Big up the Bermondsey massive!

Who are some of your favourite producers & djs?
At the moment I’m really feeling tracks by Netsky, Sub Focus, Camo & Krooked, Spor, Drumsound & Simon Bassline Smith, B-Complex, Lynx, Danny Byrd just to mention a few. Some of my favourite DJ’s include Friction, Andy C, Hype, Grooverider and Fabio on the Liquid vibes. Some SA DJ’s/Producers doing big things at the moment include Benson, SFR, Hyphen, Niskerone and of course, Counterstrike.

Best memories as a DJ?
Well, there’s loads and I’m sure there will be many more to come but some good memories that come to mind must be, playing my first Homegrown (South Africa’s biggest Drum n Bass night run by Counterstrike) Playing at Knowledge magazine’s monthly event in London (BarKnowledge). I basically had no idea that I was booked for the Knowledge party and saw my name on a flyer in the magazine along with Utah Jazz and Klute. That was also the first set I’ve ever played out and the feeling and nervousness that went with it is hard to explain.
Also, the way the Drum n Bass scene is currently growing in South Africa and having the opportunity to be part of this will be a good memory of mine for years to come.

What equipment do you use?
My studio setup includes 2 x Technics SL1210’s and 1 x Vestax PDX 2000, Serato and a 3 channel Rane Empath mixer.

What can listeners/dance floors expect from a typical set of yours?
Energy soaked sets that keep crowds stuck to the floor. Quick, technical mixing and a selection ranging from the more chilled side of Drum n Bass all the way through to the harder/darker stuff. Basically focusing on the full spectrum of Drum n Bass and with one mission in mind, entertaining the crowd!

Tracklisting:

1. B-Complex – Beautiful Lies – Hospital
>>> Drumsound & Bassline Smith – Can You Feel It – Technique Recordings
2. Delano – Big Bad & Heavy (Logistics RMX) – Philly Blunt Records
3. Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire – Ghosts n Stuff (Sub Focus RMX) – Mau5trap
4. Original Sin – Pimp Don’t Limp – Playaz
5. Basement Jaxx – Twerk (Sub Focus RMX) – XL Recordings
6. Camo & Krooked – Blow – Good To Go
7. Metrik – Anthem 2009 – Viper VIP
8. Danny Byrd – Red Mix VIP – Hospital
>>> Drumsound & Bassline Smith – Mafia VIP – Worldwide Audio
9. Benny V – Oldskool Box (Modified Motion RMX) – Dance Concept
10. SFR – Worst Enemy – Sleepwalker Red
11. Prodigy – Take Me To The Hospital (Sub Focus RMX) – Take Me To The Hospital
12. Nero – Do You Wanna – Viper
13. Brooks Brothers – Crackdown (Shockone RMX) – Viper
14. Ram Trilogy – Asylum – Audio Porn
15. Friction & K-Tee – Set It Off – Shogun Audio
16. Camo & Krooked – Who Knows The Jungle – Urban Takeover
17. Die & Break – Get Some – Clear Skyz
18. Fresh – Heavyweight – Digital Soundboy
19. HoT – Policeman & Soldier – Jungle X
20. Netsky – Tomorrows Another Day – Liquid Ganja
21. Fresh – Signal – Ram Records
22. Ewun – Screw Up (The Upbeats RMX) – Lifted
23. Audio – Planet Fall – Virus