DJ Rick has been part of the Storm DJs roster for a number of years and has become a favourite of corporate and private clients alike. We caught up with DJ Rick recently to delve deeper into his musical tastes and experiences.
Is there a story behind your DJ name?
I go by DJ Rick but also ‘Rick Upnlive’, this has come from always being told that I look so alive when i’m playing music, it was just a nickname but now it’s stuck!
How would you describe your musical style?
I play open-format. I come from such a diverse music background that it would’ve be hard to stick with just one genre.
What is your current favourite DJ performance equipment?
I currently use a controller and Serato DJ. This allows me to apply the skills I learnt from vinyl DJing to a modern digital platform. It’s a great way to bridge the gap from past to present.
What got you into DJing?
Being born into a sound system culture in the Caribbean, the music is infectious and part of the community.
Which well-known DJs’ style do you most reflect?
My two favourite DJs are Jazzy J and DJ EZ. I don’t strictly play the same genres as them all time but I try and replicate their style of mixing.
Tell us about your all-time favourite artist
My all time favourite is Bob Marley. A man from such a small island who created music that made such an impact across the world, and it was all built on presenting quality music.
What was your best ever gig and why?
The best gig i’ve ever had was playing alongside my long time idol DJ EZ. It was at one of his marathon 8 hour sets and opened so many doors for me. It gave me a chance pick up some skills from him and showcase my talent to a massive audience.
What has been your most ridiculous DJ request to date?
I have been asked to play ‘Baby Jake‘ theme song in a night club before!
What has been your worst gig and what happened?
I travelled 4 hours out of London for a gig and the DJ software wouldn’t load on my laptop. Annoyingly, my back-up computer wouldn’t work either! I managed to salvage the evening by using 2 phones to play tracks from YouTube and fade between them both.
What one useful tip would you give to anyone looking to book a DJ for their event?
Ask as many questions as you want and provide as much information about your event as possible.
What is your definition of a DJ in 2019?
Someone who is able to evolve and adapt to the way music consumption is changing. It’s the DJs job to present their craft in a way that will reflect the ever-changing music scene.
Make sure you check out DJ Rick’s profile and if you’d be interested booking him for your event then email us on [email protected] for a quote.
