Remember when Hip Hop was cool? When film clips were imaginative journeys through the dust, Mad Max style ( yes, we’ve all read THAT letter when Tupac and Dr.Dre first discovered Burning Man). When lyrics stretched beyond planting a ripe purple one on a chick. When songs started movements, stood for people and their beliefs.

Or were just simply a call to part-ay.

Growing up, this was the hip hop of my youth. I remember when radio would bleep out the swear words, but we still knew what was up and then snigger as we tried to boldly repeat them at school in front of our teachers. Sure, Sydney was a far cry from the streets of Compton but us youngins in the immigrant South West felt some sort of brotherhood. Kinda. A little.

So came the time to make a hip hop mix of all those songs that I still "get down" and "shake my booty" too. It ain't all about house, and yeah I know that half the deep house tracks I play are sampled from Warren G, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, etc. ( In fact I'm writing an article about that too, stay tuned. )

For some reason Biggie and Diddy –when he was still Puff, their film clip for “Mo Money Mo Problems” stood out in my young impressionable mind. All that flying around defying gravity and when rappers still attempted to dance in choreography. We all wanted to be that young kid jumping around in "Jump".

TLC flew the flag for tough young gals. Salt-n-Pepa for sexual liberation. Lauryn Hill, well she is the real Queen here. 

At the risk of looking like a hypocrite, Dr.Dre does feature heavily on this mix. But his beatings of women aside, you cannot erase this mans talent and influence on the hip hop industry. Those piano quavers that majestically introduce "Still Dre" still send shivers down my spine. He did, after all, pioneer the first white rapper who subsequently overtook in sales and platinum hits than most of the "Rap Gods" put together.

So come on ride the train, hey ride it! 

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In conjunction with Frieze Art Week in London, Baroness Ariane de Rothschild hosted the opening reception of "So British" by Thierry Bruet at the beautiful Alice Temperley store in Mayfair, London. The exhibition was a collection of paintings amongst the elegant glamour of the Temperley couture collection.

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I was glitzed up with a tight fitting silk dress from the Winter 14 collection. It had flower motifs that were strikingly similar to folk art from the Lowicki region known as wycinanki (paper cuttings). I wore this with a gold vintage Egyptian necklace and pointed black heels.


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The beauty of the store, clothes and people deserved a refined set list. A whisper told me that Alice loved all things Hotel Costes. Having played there during my months in Paris, I was pretty well introduced to the style. Stephane Pompougnac is a master at finding and producing lounge tunes that don't sound like you're stuck in a stuff elevator.

Track list:
"Don't turn it off" - 40 Thieves feat. Qzen
"Tears dry on their own (Al Usher Remix)" - Amy Winehouse
"Yes baby yes" - Mo'Horizons
"Don't let go" - Pacha Massive
"My darling" - Ralph Myerz

Special thanks to the talented Sabrina of Sabrina Priano Make-up for making me look all dazzling.

Yesterday marked the beginning of the intimate sessions down at Blakes Hotel, London.

The luxuriously cosy bar is perfect to escape the forthcoming winter blues. An intimate abode where one can escape, sip on skillful crafted cocktails and listen to my deep tunes.



A visit from my girlfriend Melanie Ribbe (@MelanieRibbe) , who is also learning to become a DJ herself gave the night a nice surprise. And the ever energetic Alex Escat (@alexandraescat) who always adds a burst of colour to a crowd.

Thanks to all who came down and I look forward to warming your nights up for the few months ahead. Next time I promise to take pictures without the lazy eye ...

Tracklist :

"Never Too Much (Bondye & Lee Jo edit)" - Luther Vandross
"They Don't Know" - Disciples
"Ultravision (feat. Jaw)" - Seuil
"Memories" - Gauthier DM
"It's you (Ron Basejame remix)" - The White Lamp