JNR.J is among the top flight of the UK’s Urban music DJ’s. He is an exceptional talent with many achievements already to his name. As a DJ he is constantly in demand, at home and abroad. Requests for his services have been received from locations worldwide, whilst always staying loyal to his many UK based residencies and events.1996 was the year. JNR.J was fifteen years old and was already taking the necessary steps needed for him to launch his now un-rivalled DJ career. As a youngster, J used to put himself and his demo mixes out to venues and promoters in his city of birth, Stoke-on-Trent, ever searching for that hallowed first DJ residency. J got his initial break playing to a small local crowd at venue in his home town of Cheadle (Stoke-on-Trent). J’s hunger and raw talent for mixing did eventually take him to the city. Playing at many venues and to many colourful crowds found J being invited to enter a Regional DJ competition. Still only aged 16, J finished the competition ranked in the top five, beating off competition with twice his years in experience and age.J worked thorough several day jobs to fund his rapidly growing record collection and to support himself through his study of Sound Engineering and Music Production at his city college. Now aged 18, J discovered a major branded nightclub in his area was to be fully refurbished and re-launched. His first reaction… Put a mix together and get it to a member of the management. Little was J to know that this single action would lead to his first major break into the Urban music industry. One meeting and one audition later, JNR.J had gained his first real DJ residency in the areas biggest and most respected nightclub. Spending two years there, refining his style and technique, J also gained a taste for many other genres of music; this is what he explains to be: “the reason behind my versatility†as a club DJ. J, while resident at this venue, he also had the privilege to DJ and perform alongside many other Urban industry greats.In 2001, JNR.J founded Hott2Deff Entertainment and the Hott2Deff Squad. J started the Squad movement to involve his growing fan base and supporters into his DJ and business movements. The Hott2Deff Squad is viewed by J as his second family. J DJ’s alongside hosts and MC’s to provided electrifying club performances, both musically and lyrically. As Hott2Deff, J has promoted epic UK Urban events featuring artists and DJ’s, including: Ludacris, David Banner, Montell Jordan and Joe Budden. He has also produced tracks and remixes which have received airplay by the likes of UK DJ icons Tim Westwood and Trevor Nelson.J’s hard work and talent as a DJ, producer and promoter has not gone un-noticed. SonyBMG and WarnerAtlantic records have both placed J on their street teams. In addition, the internationally known Urban super brands Ministry Of Sound’s “SMOOVE†and TwiceasNice have both signed JNR.J as one of their official resident DJ’s. Another notch to J’s belt are his own “Urban Flow†and “Connoisseur†brand nights that he has launched under the Hott2Deff alias. These events run at venues throughout the UK, and have already seen great success in the Midlands and South East. Most recently, Luminar Leisure crowned JNR.J as their company’s “Urban DJ of the Year†for 2006/2007. This is a major achievement, bearing in mind the size of the Luminar nightclub chain, it created a mass of competition for this award but J’s skill and talent bought him out on top against the best in the business.Hott2Deff, “Urban Flow†and “Connoisseur†are definitely going to play a major part in the future of the UK’s Urban music scene. As for J, with his limitless and unique style of DJ’ing, he is certainly never going to be short of bookings and appearances, he’s is bound to make it to the top in any area whether it be DJ’ing, Radio, Production or Promotion and he is sure to heat every party along the way.
