Boxfresh Streetwear®

We recently caught up with Mr Thing, legendary DJ and all round nice guy. We talk record shops, Pro Green and what the future holds. Read on.

TOTR: Can you give us a brief history into who you are? How did it all start for you?

Mr Thing: I think I started to learn how to DJ round about 1986, two of my friends both called Phil had turntables at their houses. I used to go there and learn the basics off them, we use to use 7″s to start off with because the turntables were belt-driven and if you tried to use a 12″ it would take ages to get going once you let it go. Eventually I got some 1210’s in 1989/90 and that was me, I started to do a couple local youth clubs and got my first paid gig in my local town hall. I was also going to parties in the next town over Tonbridge. Where we went to see Derek B, Cookie Crew, Jungle Brothers, Ice T, it was crazy and I used to see First Rate DJ over there too. We eventually linked up via a night I was doing in Tunbridge Wells called Funky Buddha in the mid-90s and started practicing together. At the same time we met Tony Vegas through Mr Bongos record shop, the whole Scratch Perverts thing came about through hanging out there and meeting people and just getting on it. Then we started doing the DJ Battles and everything and it all snowballed from there .

TOTR: What are your thoughts of the UK music scene at the moment?

Mr Thing: I like it, it’s been interesting chatting to people and seeing how they figured out how they are dealing with the digital side of things now that people don’t really buy physical copies of music anymore. Also, watching UK artists have number 1 singles. I don’t really like a lot of the music that’s making it in the charts these days. However, it’s good to see people like Pro Green doing well, I remember him killing it at open mic battles in Camden years ago. It’s also pretty encouraging how people are supporting each over here too.

TOTR: If you wasn’t a DJ, what would you be doing now?

Mr Thing: Honestly, I’d probably be working for my Dad, which is what I do half the week anyway. But, I really, really, really, wanted to have a record shop. However, I don’t know if that’s actually possible right now as people don’t even want to buy a CD.

TOTR: Where are your favourite spots to play at the moment?

Mr Thing: I used to love playing at Herbal but it’s gone now, that was my favourite, favourite spot. I enjoy playing at Fabric when I get the chance and Cargo is always good fun too. They’ve all got amazing sound systems so that’s why, and of course good people.

TOTR: UK hip hop or US hip hop?

Mr Thing: I like it all, as long as it’s good. I can’t support something from here or there if it’s not good music, that’s honestly how I’ve always picked tunes to play and will continue to do that. I am not gonna get bullied into playing something just because it’s big here or there, if I don’t like it I won’t play it, it was never an issue when I started DJing and I still feel strongly about it now.

TOTR: Vinyl or Mp3’s?

Mr Thing: Although, I use Serato now I’ve still got all my records locked up and I still buy new records on vinyl when they can be bothered to put them out. It kind of makes it official for me when someone’s invested time and money into a vinyl release because anyone can chuck an MP3 out there and there’s no quality control. I do like how Warp and Fatbeats and labels like that have put a download card in with their vinyl releases too, so you don’t have to record or digitize the thing if you are using Serato. But the long and short of it is I love records.

TOTR: Last, but by no means least what does the future hold for Mr Thing?

Mr Thing: Well, last night I just did some cuts for Jehst’s new LP which is sounding pretty ridiculous. I’m doing a remix for S.Kalibre and some production for Inja, I’ve got a track on Jehst’s LP too. I’m doing a mix tape with Yungun which will be finished soon. We’re just putting that together now so it’ll be ready before his album drops and I’m doing some cuts for that album as well. I’m gonna finish up my Champion Nerd mix tape this month and get that out there finally, it is all breaks and samples from hip hop tunes. When that is done hopefully Strange Breaks & Mr Thing Vol. 3 on BBE, need to get cracking on that.

To keep up to date with Mr Thing check out his Facebook and Twitter.

Mr Thing will also be Djing at our Lovebox after party next week alongside Mildilla and DJ LoK.