Nicky tells us how he fell in love with music at a drum & bass rave in the ’90s, became obsessed with turntablism after witnessing a DMC competition, and never looked back. We dive into his early days as a DJ, his transition into hip-hop, and the raw joy he still gets from blending beats, scratching, and experimenting with sound daily. We also talk about UK Bass Radio, his past shows on HFM, his open mic night Beats & Bars in Southend, and the debut track “First Point of Contact” with Max Titan. Nicky opens up about perfectionism, ADHD-driven hyperfocus, and the art of never finishing a beat until the right MC brings it to life. Whether it’s record digging, event building, MPC looping, or flipping 70s Japanese soul, Nicky’s journey is one of love for the craft, loyalty to the culture, and a drive to keep the underground scene alive. This one’s for the true heads.

Key Moments:

00:05:10 – How did DJ Nicky Blunt fall in love with DJing at a rave in ‘94?

00:07:00 – What pulled him from drum & bass into hip-hop and turntablism?

00:09:20 – Why did he leave HFM and join UK Bass Radio?

00:12:01 – How did “First Point of Contact” with Max Titan come together?

00:13:22 – What influences shaped Max’s punk/hip-hop hybrid sound?

00:15:52 – Why does knowing too much about the world sometimes lead to burnout?

00:17:14 – Can kindness and self-growth actually change the system?

00:20:09 – What old kung-fu sample inspired Nicky’s latest beat?

00:25:09 – How does ADHD affect his creative process and beat hoarding?

00:27:06 – What’s behind the open mic series Beats & Bars in Southend?

00:33:36 – What projects is Nicky cooking up next—including DnB remixes?

00:35:07 – What’s his sketch-to-final process between MPC and Ableton?

00:39:03 – Why does he love 70s Japanese soul and gypsy records for sampling?

00:42:58 – Why Wu-Tang’s 36 Chambers is the best-worst mixed classic ever

00:46:37 – Why letting go of perfection leads to better collaboration in hip-hop