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Dizzee Rascal can often be heard reciting one of his favourite refrains at any one of his gigs or festival appearances, “Don’t make me get old school!â€
Well, you can’t get much more old school than 67-year-old Reggae stalwart DJ Derek who is set to play the Shipping Forecast this weekend.
DJ Derek recently guest appeared in Dizzee’s number one hit Dirty Disco playing himself as a dance hall disc jockey spinning tracks for party full of pensioners, as you do.
The former accountant who hails from Bristol has garnered the respect of a number of artists over a career spanning some thirty years, including the likes of Massive Attack, Jamaican Ska legend Prince Buster and of course Dizzee Rascal.
DJ Derek’s devotion to his music is renowned as he carefully selects and introduces each track during his sets, punctuating songs with long irreverent anecdotes and witticisms.
The geriatric DJ is famed for his encyclopaedic knowledge of black music and his legendary record collection, which apparently touches some 50,000 works and encompasses his beloved reggae, ska, dancehall and rocksteady.
His twee appearance regularly attracts camera phone pictures at shows and when you see him decked out in his wooly jumper, canvas pumps and thick grandad glasses it is easy to understand why his look causes such a sensation. It is in total contradiction to the music he plays.
DJ Derek will be playing alongside Jac Bon Cochon and Ibetya at Liverpool’s newest venue on Slater Street this Friday the 18th of June, tickets are £4 each.