STEPPA: NEW RADIO SHOW - WEDNESDAY 9PM (SEE BLOG)

Emma Dakers talks to SubDub resident DJ Steppa -
Since his move to Leeds over 10 years ago, DJ Steppa has become one of our city's most popular drum & bass DJs and won the coveted Best Breakthrough DJ Award at the national Drum & Bass Awards last year. Here, he tells us what he gained from coming up north and why there's no place he'd rather be…
What have you contributed to the Leeds music scene?
I'm resident at Leeds' biggest drum & bass events, Metropolis at Stylus and SubDub at the West Indian Centre. Both are monthly events but have different feels to them. Metropolis attracts the student crowd while SubDub is more for the locals. SubDub is my home ground and where the real rave is.
How did you get into drum & bass?
It was a natural progression really. From the age of about 12 or 13, I can remember being into all the early rave stuff like The Prodigy. Early DJs like Hype and Mickey Finn were a real inspiration to me too and largely responsible for me getting into drum & bass DJing.
Who was your idol when you were growing up?
Liam Howlett of The Prodigy. He was a huge inspiration to me.
What was the first record you bought?
The England 1990 World Cup song by New Order ("World In Motion").
What was the last record you bought?
"Machete" by DJ Hazard. Absolutely immense tune.
Some DJs do what they do for their love of partying; others do it purely for the love of music. Which category do you fall into?
Well, when I was just 16 I started working for a record label called Flex. Having worked in the music business from such an early age has meant that I've always taken it seriously and dealt with it professionally. Don't get me wrong, I love it and I have great fun doing it, but I'm passionate about the music and, for me, it's about a lot more than going out partying and having a laugh.
I can tell from the accent you're not Leeds born and bred. What brought you up north?
I moved here with my parents when I was 14. My dad had a new job, so I had no choice really. It was great in the end, though, because when I first started DJing drum & bass up here, I was one of the only people doing it. Soon enough, I was I starting to get recognition as the face of drum & bass in the north!
What's the best thing about being a DJ in Leeds?
I've DJed all over the world — America, France, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia, Estonia — but the scene in Leeds is still very much where I'm happiest. I've always felt really passionate about representing drum & bass in Leeds and there's no place like home, as they say!
What's the most impressive thing you've ever done?
I won an award for Best Breakthrough DJ in the Drum & Bass Awards 2007/2008, presented to me by none other than Grooverider.
Whose is the most frequently dialled number in your mobile?
That would have to be either my mum or my girlfriend, Philomena.
Any special events coming up?
Metropolis is hosting D&B Arena at Gatecrasher Summer Sound System on Sunday 25th May. I'll be DJing as well as the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Pendulum, so be sure not to miss it!
And finally, briefly tell us why we should come along to one of your nights?
If you haven't given drum & bass a try before, it really is something that's got to be done. The genre attracts such an open-minded crowd of people who come from all walks of life. People from all races, religions and backgrounds just come together and create a really positive vibe.
Emma Dakers
Confessions of a DJ
Leeds Guide (Issue 196)
Wed 14 May-Thu 29 May 2008
&nbsp&nbspCat No: 3RD001A
&nbsp&nbspFormat: Vinyl
&nbsp&nbspArtist: Ego Trippin
&nbsp&nbspSong: Menace (Feat. DJ's Sly & Steppa)
&nbsp&nbspLabel: 3rd Angle Recordings
&nbsp&nbsp LISTEN AND/OR BUY MENACE