DJ FUNKSY - CYPRUS HERE I COME!

Amp Fidler (August 06) - The amazing Amp fiddler, former board player for George Clinton, returns with his follow up album 'Afro Strut'. After the major following gained from his 1st album 'Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly' I joined him in the studio and had a long chat with him. One of the most down to earth artists I have had the pleasure of meeting, which is a rare thing when the music is just soooo damn good.

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Music played: RnB, Hip-hop, Soul, Funky/Soulful House and dance, Reggae & 80s Groove/Soul. Funksy a.k.a Funksta P has many strings to his bow, which have all stemmed from his love of music. He is a dedicated and respected DJ and presenter who is making a positive contribution in the music industry.

Funksy demonstrates an array of skills whether that be at the media forefront on radio, on camera, or the Web, and also in areas that count behind the scenes. His entrepreneurial approach and ability makes him a valuable asset in the music industry.

As a club and radio Disc Jockey, Funksy is as good as they come, having amazing credentials on the DJ and radio circuit, with great mixing ability and an astute selection pleasing the crowd or listeners in every situation, whilst breaking a variety of new music and creating an entertaining atmosphere to keep the listeners coming back for more.

'My selection and approach is completely different on radio as it is for when I am playing in a club… too many times have I heard a radio DJ who cannot hold it up in a club and vice versa. They are two completely different things'.

He is also involved in various A&R and promotional areas for much of the talent coming out of the UK and those internationally who need representation in the UK .

Funksy 's knowledge and outlook on all things musical are valued by many. He is a tastemaker for Atlantic Records and is on every other major label mailing list, frequently conducting radio and online interviews with major recording acts including mainstream artistes Jennifer Lopez, Akon, Shaggy, and Ja Rule, to those at the top of their respective markets such as supreme house producer/DJ Louie Vega (Masters at work), Hip-hop's finest - Mobb Deep, The Game, Pharoahe Monch, T.I, Saigon and Lupe Fiasco. R&B's elite - Donell Jones, Jon B, Dwele, Pretty Ricky, Eric Roberson, Lloyd, Teedra Moses and the amazing 5 grammy award winning reggae sensation Stephen Marley (Bob Marley's son). Talented unsigned and newly signed acts that need promotion get Funksy's support also. This could be from the first emergence of the crossover soulful rock star Van Hunt, to the new Atlantic Records signing Kevin Michael, who personally gave his new single featuring Wyclef to Funksy on the day it was finished from the studio to try out on the airwaves before the track was even mixed or mastered.

Funksy now has a large following on one of the most representative and appreciated shows in the UK , which have been labelled 'entertaining, professional, informative and on-point'. This has led to Funksy being called upon on the spur of the moment by the BBC in August 2007 for a live broadcast to the world on BBC News 24 to discuss the 'Mother's Against Gun Crime' campaign that was involved in.

Over the years, DJ Funksy has refined his presenting skills and demonstrates his vast knowledge of music on his shows. The name of the show 'The Big Hook-Up' is self explanatory, whereby Funksy 'hooks-up' the listener with the greatest artists and their music. This includes exclusives and first time airplays from the likes of Jennifer Lopez (Doin' it well remix feat. Ludacris) and hip hop duo Mobb Deep (Put'em in their place – UK National premiere play) and Joe's 'If I was your man' released in April 07 but introduced first in October 2006 in the FIRST promo interview in Europe (Video available on Youtube and on Funksy's myspace page). Other exclusives include 2 unmixed tracks personally hooked-up by crossover reggae artist Shaggy, and RnB star Lloyd.

Let's not forget that Funksy is also staying true to the UK . Having Broken the top 20 smasher 'Never Wanna Say' by Soundbwoy Ent, He would constantly receives calls from record label Ministry of Sound asking about the response of the track. They later signed the track and put it out officially one year after it being represented on his show with guest appearances from the group. Other UK credentials include 1 st time worldwide announcements by Marsha (of Floetry fame) on signing to Dr Dre (With the exclusively 1 st ever aired interview) and the UK 's Fundmetal 03 on signing to Geffen Records in the U.S.

Funksy feels that the UK does not get represented in the way that it should, and that the right tracks do not get the support that is needed to show the UK in its best light …

'Every country has it's good and bad music … it is up to us as DJs to do as best we can to represent the good stuff … the tracks that have weight and an extra edge. It is evident that the bar has been raised for UK music, and we need to demonstrate that!

He feels that another important way to represent the UK is for the artists to make affiliations with other major international artists and to get them to network. By being in the thick of the UK scene, Funksy has the ability to do this on a regular basis, and plays much of the top notch material from affiliated worthy artists and producers, to the biggest acts in the world. This requires a great sense of knowing what a particular renowned artist would want to hear and appreciate for anything to materialise. A number of collaborations have come about as a result of this.

The section of Funksy's 'Big Hook-up' which incorporates the most musical and true music to emerge from the UK is appropriately called 'UK's Finest' and has been marked as the most representative show for UK urban music and features the who's who of the scene with many UK exclusives and first-time airplays. Notable names who have appeared on the show include Fundmental03, Omar, Kano, Sway, Nate James, Kele le Roc, Nathan, Shola Ama, Lethal B, Ms Dynamite, Akala, Sadie, Pro Green and other signed and unsigned talent destined for big things!

Now handling live event promotion under his company Funk'd-Up Promotions, Funksy is able to bring these artists to the live stage, and has even taken the Soulful UK music he represents to the prestigious Jazz Café and Cargo in London . The marketing, promotion, artist and band rehearsals, scheduling and stage management of these live events were all carried out by Funksy.

Involvement with beats and music came about even before he started DJ'ing. An apt drummer since the age of 15 and being in the thick of music and audiences through various performances meant that the next step of becoming a DJ was inevitable. This way, his appreciation, knowledge and understanding of music could be expressed further. A good start as a Club DJ came about in 1999 when his RnB/Hip-hop demo was sent to Club Oval, which was partly DJ Spoony's (Dreem Teem's) club at the time. Following on from this, DJ'ing at exclusive celebrity birthday parties for the likes of Mel B, kele Le Roc and Emma Bunton meant that Funksy was a respected DJ from early on. Playing alongside Spoony, and many other big names during his first residency was a big kick-start to what is a challenging, interesting and rewarding journey into the career development and success of a dedicated DJ/presenter and music industry entrepreneur.

Throughout this initial period, Funksy had completed his A-levels and was now undertaking a 3 year Music Technology Degree at Hertfordshire University . After much hard work he graduated in 2003 with a BSc (2:1) in this subject, furthering his technological skills in the music industry (see CV). This has aided Funksy in the production of his radio shows and of many event advertisements broadcasted on live radio including Radio 1 and Choice fm.

Funksy believes that in order to fulfil your potential as a DJ you need to and be involved in the music scene from many different angles, and acquire a wide range of skills apart from the technical skills involved with DJ'ing in clubs and on radio. It is the understanding that makes the difference!

Demonstrating just how serious he takes his profession, Funksy completed work experience with various record labels and promotions companies such as Soul2streets in order to gain an insight into record promotion and distribution. Many links with artists, producers and DJ's were made throughout this time and Funksy is forever building his artist/producer relations.

As an influential name in the scene, and with links to all the stations, magazines and radio and club DJs around, Funksy is a valuable independent Radio Plugger, pushing the tracks that he believes have credibility and can receive worldwide praise.

The Skills and abilities that Funksy has acquired over the years are passed on to others through the award winning DJ and Music College Point Blank, through which Funksy completed teacher training and is now a qualified tutor for various DJ, Radio, and Music Technology workshops.

FOR DJ/HOST BOOKINGS FOR FUNKSY & ARTIST PERFORMANCE / INFO ON LEON KING...CONTACT THE FUNK'D-UP PROMOTIONS HOTLINE ON 07507 326 165, OR EMAIL [email protected]