DJ Sarj, who is also known as the 'Mix Tape King', has a great fan following on social network sites and has been influenced from big names such as DJ APS. Talking to SimplyBhangra.com about his journey so far and how it all began, he said,
Where are you from? I'm originally from Southall (Mini Punjab) in London but have been living in Wolverhampton for most of my life.
So tell us when did you start DJing? I've always been into making my own music. From mashing up mix tapes to actually creating beats. But to showcase all this I took the DJing route to be able to showcase it to the public. DJing started as a mess about. I then started off at small parties which was about 8 years ago whilst I was in 6th form at school. But on a professional club/Wedding level around 4/5 years ago.
Fabulous, so who and what were your early passions and influences? Surprisingly my early passions and influences were in Hip Hop Music especially the Dr Dre Era. From then it grew to all angles to Panjabi Mc, Bally Jagpal, and Dj APS as they were contrasting Bhangra with hip hop and that's something that appealed to me.
How has your journey as a DJ been? How did it all begin?
It's been incredible. I couldn't have imagined where it would have taken me. From small school hall parties at a young age to DJing in Dubai, BBC London Mela's, Bhangra Showdown and in the best Bhangra clubs in the UK. One of my highlights was featuring on Bobby frictions show live on the BBC Asian network on four different occasions and on BBC Radio 1 with Nihal.
How does it feel to have the label of the 'Mix Tape King'? Well I thank my fans/listeners who enjoy these mix tapes via Soundcloud. I randomly started getting tweets with the Hashtag "Mixtape King" from various people and it just started from there.
Is DJing a profession or a hobby? It's certainly a profession alongside my other profession I have haha.
What kind of music does DJ Sarj listen too? If I was to say what's on my iPod at the moment, it's a cross between Trap music and Sufi music. There's just a sense of energy with both music and you can connect to it soulfully and it literally takes control of you.
Who has been your inspiration on this journey? I do feel my Mum is watching down from heaven guiding me. So I really do hope I'm making her proud. (RIP Mum)
By the looks of your social network sites, I can tell you have travelled a lot. So tell us where you have DJ'ed. Also does performing in different countries change the type of sets you perform? Yeah not long ago I was out in Dubai for Surj from RDB's wedding. It was an honour to be asked to do it and recently Dj Sanj's. I do stick to the traditional wedding music but then I do bring in my own element and turn the wedding into a rave!
How do you manage your hectic DJ life, whilst DJing at weddings, clubs, overseas with your personal life? This is the one question I get asked by everyone lol. Well it's all about working hard, grafting. It's very rewarding. You have to make sacrifices and in these circumstances I do sacrifice my sleep to keep up with DJing, work, friends and family. But once I'm hitched, I'll be playing the role of a husband, father and a family man.
So you are definetly enjoying the single life! Let's hope you don't get hitched up soon, we don't want you to stop! So far on your journey, what has been the best moment and why? I'd probably say there are more than 1. Defiantly DJing at the BBC London mela 2 years in a row, The Bhangra Showdown for Imperial University (Big up Jag The Pardaan) and DJing live on the BBC Asian network and BBC Radio 1.
What kind of music do you find easy to remix? If I'm honest nothing is easy. Each genre has the same method of remixing. It comes down to your ideas. Some will like it, some clearly won't. It is hard to please everyone but always best to test yourself and the limits in bringing out something people won't expect.
What makes you unique from the other DJ's? I think the main reason is because I have my own personal versions to many songs which make them stand out. Most DJ's may play the original but I tend to change it up and have my own identity to it so my set is unique to others.
I think we need a DJ battle here in the UK, it sounds like a great idea! So, who does DJ Sarj think is currently a good DJ and why?
There are many out there, all working hard and grafting. Big respect to them all, but if there's anyone I have to choose it is Dj KSR in Canada! He works hard which has helped him dominate the DJ scene in Canada and surrounding countries. I admire that.
So, who will you like to collaborate with? If there is anyone at the present moment I want to collaborate with it has to be J-Star, A-Kay or Mickey Singh. All 3 are fresh new rising talents and I love their work.
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