DJ Hype

Kevin Ford, better known as DJ Hype is a British jungle and drum and bass producer and DJ.[2]

DJ Hype
DJ Hype, Matrix, and Futurebound performing at the Egg nightclub in London on 30 November 2018.
Background information
Birth nameKevin Ford
Born1968 (age 51–52)[1]
London, England
GenresDrum and bass, jungle
Occupation(s)Record producer, deejay
Years active1982–present
Associated actsDJ Zinc
Websiteplayaz.co.uk

Biography

Hype first became known for his loudspeaker and DJ abilities as a teenager in 1982, assisting PJ and Smiley with their sound system Heatwave in East London, which evolved into Shut Up and Dance.[3][1] Hype was an early deejay on one of London's pirate radio stations, Fantasy FM, and was popular on the international deejay circuit, landing awards for Best Male DJ and Best Radio DJ (in 1994 and 1995 respectively) at the UK's Hardcore Awards.[4] He also presented on the radio station Kiss 100 London, and was a player in Suburban Base’s compilation series Drum and Bass Selection.

Hype began producing in 1989, engineering and co-producing tracks (including "Exorcist" and "The Bee") for Kickin', Strictly Underground and Suburban Base.[5] UK garage producer Wookie remembers that Hype worked with Scientist on "The Bee" to create one of the first jungle tunes to hit big, following "£10 to Get In" by Shut Up and Dance in 1989.[6] Suburban Base released Hype's track "Shot in the Dark" that made the UK Singles Chart in 1993.[7][8]

Hype's Ganja Records label gained popularity primarily through dance floor fillers such as "You Must Think First", "Tiger Style" and DJ Zinc's "Super Sharp Shooter". Their popularity peaked in 1996 with the release of their first album, Still Smokin' , a label compilation released jointly by Ganja and Pascal's Frontline imprint. Re-released in 1997, its success also led to a major label deal with BMG's Parousia sub-label and the establishment of True Playaz, a Hype-led deejay and production unit also including DJ Zinc, Pascal and Rude Bwoy Monty.[9] Hype's 1997 Parousia EP, New Frontiers, with Ganja Kru, reached No. 56 in the UK Albums Chart.[8][10]

Hype is known for his jump-up deejay sets, including appearances at the Playaz night at Fabric.[1]

On 30 March 2009, Hype released a new double album mix compilation on Rhino Records, entitled DJ Hype presents Drum and Bass Essentials.

Discography
  • FabricLive.03
  • FabricLive.18 with Andy C
  • Dubplate Killaz
  • Dubplate Killaz 2: Return of the Ninja
  • World Dance - The Drum 'n' Bass Experience (Disc 1)
  • Drum & Bass Arena Presents: DJ Hype
  • Drum & Bass Essentials a triple CD compilation mixed by DJ Hype

References
  1. Manu Ekanayake (17 November 2015). "DJ Hype and Shut Up And Dance Talk Music, History And The Importance Of Objectivity". Fabric London. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  2. "DJ Hype - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  3. Bill Brewster; Frank Broughton (23 January 2019). "'Experimentation All the Way': An Interview with Shut Up and Dance". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 16 June 2020. Interview published originally in 2005 by djhistory.com.
  4. "Believe the Hype at Hereford's Lock Up". BBC Hereford and Worcester. 13 February 2003. Archived from the original on 8 June 2003. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  5. "DJ Hype interview: Still Smokin". Skiddle.com. 21 July 2017.
  6. Lloyd Bradley (2013). Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital. Profile Books. pp. 351–352. ISBN 9781847656506.
  7. "DJ Hype - full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com.
  8. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 159. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  9. ""DJ Hype - Decoded Magazine". Decoded Magazine. 19 February 2018.
  10. "GANJA CRU - full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com.
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