We talk about his journey from early days working at the legendary Danceteria record shop to becoming UK DMC champion in 1999. Jazz T reflects on the golden era of vinyl, supporting up-and-coming DJs, and how the closure of physical shops reflects deeper changes in music culture and city infrastructure. We get into his work with Boot Records, co-founding Diversion Tactics, and the evolving process of producing, mixing, and mastering his music. Jazz shares stories of producing tracks for legends like Cool Keith, Fliptrix, Dirty Dike, and Blade, and speaks on the discipline behind working with artists like Michael Parkinson and Verb T. He breaks down how obscure jazz records, dusty 45s, and soundtracks shape his unique, sample-driven sound—and why crate-digging is a sacred part of his production process. From spinning for High Focus artists to touring Australia and Europe, Jazz reflects on how international hip-hop culture remains family-oriented—and why places like Australia have better infrastructure for DJs than the UK. He also talks about forming live bands with MPCs, scratch DJs, and jazz drummers, challenging outdated ideas of what makes a musician. This is a deep dive into DJing, vinyl culture, independent hustle, and the sonic science behind UK hip-hop.

Key Moments:

00:01:00 – Who is DJ Jazz T and how did he get started in UK hip-hop?

00:02:00 – What’s the story behind Diversion Tactics and Boot Records?

00:03:45 – Why did the iconic Danceteria record shop close—and what does it say about the music scene?

00:05:00 – How is vinyl culture evolving, and are true fans still buying records?

00:07:00 – What projects has Jazz T recently released or got coming next?

00:08:10 – What was it like working with Cool Keith and recording in Dirty Dike’s studio?

00:10:00 – Why do some UK producers have “god-tier” workflows?

00:14:00 – How did DJ Jazz T become a regular tour DJ for High Focus artists?

00:17:00 – What happened when co-founder Zygote left Boot Records?

00:20:00 – Why is making beats harder than scratching—and how does he overcome creative blocks?

00:22:00 – How do rare jazz loops and obscure soundtracks fuel his production?

00:26:00 – What’s the most surprising sample he’s ever flipped into a banger?

00:33:00 – What’s it like playing in a live hip-hop band as a scratch DJ?

00:34:15 – Which countries surprised him with strong hip-hop scenes—and which didn’t?

00:40:30 – Why does Australia offer more support for hip-hop DJs than the UK?

00:42:00 – How did Jazz T stay productive during COVID lockdowns?

00:46:00 – What inspires his crate-digging process, and how does he know when a sample’s “the one”?

00:50:00 – How does he approach mastering—especially preserving grit and dynamic range?