DJ SS with Dj Ron | London Something Podcast

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

Very interesting to hear about SS's past and his early influences. He is one of the godfathers of Jungle and DNB. He helped bridge the North and South of the country with Formation Records which is a foundation label. They've released hundreds of classics! He signed producers from all over the country. Big up the Leicester crew!

[@Baber1]

Big up bruvva as always... perfect post gym wind down right 'ere!

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

@@Baber1 Big up Bruvva! I hope you're doing well? Merry Crimbo and a happy 2024!

[@Baber1]

Happy Christmas and New year to you my bruvva. Rispek the Jungle Don for the 2023 cherry on cake last choon ov da nit!

[@chriswftdj]

Yeah Big up

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

Straight back you@@chriswftdj! Big up!

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

RIP Tango! Big up Ratty, EQ, SS, and Mental Power and all the original Formation crewwww!

[@LondonSomething1994]

Big up the original Formation crew yes 💯

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

@@LondonSomething1994 Thanks again for another brilliant podcast. Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024 to all the London Something crew!

[@tomlebree]

Yes! Been busting old VibeLite, Fantazia and Dreamscape tapes recently. Tango and Ratty are true originators!

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

@@tomlebree You know this!! Big up!

[@RK_KNIGHT]

Big up Formation crew yes !

[@Jungle_Riddims]

Hold up your Lighter for the Dj SS!! 🔥

[@zebjaffer7813]

When Leroy mentioned his turntables getting lifted from Brixton, 2 things hit HARD! Everyman from outside of London had an experience getting skanked in London at some point, it was part and parcel of training. Secondly, EVERYONE felt his PAIN! What a great storyteller, this is a great podcast! Thanks Ron and Leroy.

[@LondonSomething1994]

I felt so bad for him having to drive all the way home without them. 😕

[@zebjaffer7813]

@@LondonSomething1994 that was devastating to hear indeed!

[@solimansoliman9806]

What was the "training" a man from a rough part of Leicester, at least by his account of it, in need of ?

[@johnslaw7967]

DJ -SS BLACK My all time favourite Jungle Tune , SS big part of the scene, great podcast from Ron and SS Blessings to you both 🙏🏻🤛🏻

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed the episode.

[@Junglist247]

Being a Leicester native, DJ SS is the giant of the local scene as well as being a pioneer within the larger Jungle DNB community, no question. Great interview as always 👍🏽

[@bozazz]

Used to love going into town to go to 5HQ and pick up some vinyl or tape set

[@Junglist247]

@@bozazz 100%. Most of my tape pack collection was bought at 5HQ.

[@matthewgatehouse6141]

Can you get Marc Mac and Dego in for a Reinforced Dollis Hil special?

[@misterjones7248]

Now that would be the one!!!

[@dom6251]

Amazing idea

[@LondonSomething1994]

Both are great choices and while I understand that Dego lives abroad now, Marc would be of equal interest.

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

Definitely reinforced put out so many classics!!!!

[@andythomas7743]

Another fantastic interview Ron. Would love to see one with Randall, GQ, Grooverider, Break, SP:MC. Keep up the great work!

[@djpeekay25]

defo Randall!

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thanks for your support and for the suggestions many of which are already on the list.

[@andythomas7743]

@@LondonSomething1994 awesome, thank you.

[@cockneyculchi]

Ron can't handle the Randal

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

I am glad SS spoke about his community and the deeply rooted social issues with racism and how it helped him grow a tough skin and conditioned him to be a positive mind.

[@LondonSomething1994]

Its growth to turn a negative to a positive.

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

@@LondonSomething1994 Indeed! I'm a firm believer of that!

[@neilburns3614]

I have been following Drum and Bass since the mid-nineties. Always loved SS's stuff: The Lighter. Black. This is a fascinating insight on how he started out. Am an AMEN Break fan! Always!

[@rdanns75]

Very good interview again, SS is a great person and the story is amazing

[@matthewgatehouse6141]

Leeroy is a legend. I was well into Dreamscape, Helter Skelter snd the like as a young teenager. Ended up going to Leicester Uni round '97 and Eidris Leeroys partner at Formation was my landlord, remember going to loads of Formation nights, Logical Progression and Metalheadz tours. Hanging out at 5HQ. The best times

[@gingersmudga3920]

Loving these podcasts. We traveled down every couple of weeks from Sheffield to visit 5HQ and purchase vinyl, Leroy was always good to us. I had to laugh when he said I brought Mental Power down from Sheffield because Mental Power was a collab of DJ Mental aka Richard and Mc Power aka Patrick, Power was the producer.

[@zebjaffer7813]

Leicester!!! Saw DJ SS many times around the local areas indeed along with MC Warren G. Great times, can't wait to hear this one!

[@glenna3172]

Flippin hell, Warren G, that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

[@AppalachianOrganics301]

Excellent!! Big ups from Maryland 🇺🇸

[@CE11SCAN]

Love DJ SS one of the original pioneers in the scene from the start and a true gentleman

[@misterjones7248]

Big ups SS - Foundation DJ and Producer that i've followed since i started raving in 1991

[@NextSound170]

What is interesting to hear is how snakey some people are in this scene especially, it’s not major commercial pop factory music, it’s from the bedrooms, living rooms or someone’s shed, pressed up and put on a shelf in major or independent shops. So many in the thing ruined what could of been a proper business. Bless up for the podcasts Ron, it sheds lights on all corners of the thing

[@Randelissimo]

It's great to finally even put a face and a voice to DJ SS. I remember subscribing to Formation Records monthly pre-purchase. As a teenage kid, in '96/'97 I used to look forward to getting that package every month. Great to hear his story.

[@yorkshireirish8038]

I went to university in Leicester from 1999 to 2004. I went into one of the music/DnB shops one day and saw a stunning Nord Lead synthesiser. It was clearly used in production as it has stickers and tape on some of the keys. On the back it had a piece of tape that had DJ SS written on it. Bought it the same day

[@d.m.e]

SS true legend and pioneer in the scene, Respect DJ Ron, love what your doing

[@DJMoshUKDrumNBass]

Another great interview Ron!…. DJ Krust would be a very fascinating interview. Also the Rider !!

[@LondonSomething1994]

Working on it!

[@BenRowe_]

Outstanding interview packed with knowledge. Would love to hear DJ DIE on the show 👊

[@djsmokinj]

still have my world of drum and bass book to this day!..

[@JungleAcid303]

DJ SS was the first DJ I heard in Scotland who played proper dark hardcore just before the Jungle label came. He influenced my musical taste right to to this day.

[@mindcontrolbsm9046]

Awesome Episode! Formation was always one of my favorite labels back in the day. SS seems to be a very nice dude enjoyed the poscast very much.

[@Jim_Buck]

Dude this is like "This is your life" but with all my favorite DnB heroes! Great work man, what an achievement 🔥🔥

[@oliverdavis3071]

I went to 5hq every week to buy my records between 1994 - 97. Remember "whitey". Top lad, he always sorted me the promos and test presses.

[@Carpenter0102]

Same here and the spin off shop at the end of church street Sneakers

[@chrisperpina6326]

World of drum & Bass Album when I was younger loved and opened me to jungle lot of love to you man

[@mountjarvis]

Great interview. Incredible story. Would love to know who knocked him for those 500 records. Also be good to hear see Twisted on here at somepoint

[@Tyblubearboy]

I used to go up to London on the train from Portsmouth in the early 90's to buy records from Unity Records on Beak Street... One of those records was Megadrive, Takin' Control EP produced by DJ SS and EQ on Formation Records... Still one of my favourites from way back when!

[@I.D-This]

Leroy is such a great person, I first met him in Sneakers Records via a friend who was good friends with him when we was still buying hip hop, went to a few gigs Formation 5 put on and was always a top night. I remember the time when he crossed over from hip hop to the rave scene which quite a lot of us did, used to love going to there Total Kaos nights and that Nemesis 90 was a top night, I still have one of his bedroom mixes that he gave to my mate and still listen to it now, must early 90 ish.

[@markuseden2105]

Such a legend!! I have nearly all Formations from 91 to 95! Literally the first none London / Essex label to truly break through! Long before Bristol happened! Pioneer! Can i make a request? Can we see Rebel MC / Congo Natty on here next please? :)

[@LondonSomething1994]

That’s a fair request and look forward to getting him on.

[@markuseden2105]

Gwaaarn! :) @@LondonSomething1994

[@CoolPizzaTown]

This is without a doubt my favourite one of these podcasts, and that's a very high bar because all of them have been wicked. Hearing about how Leroy built up the business, and his frank honesty about making mistakes along the way - really interesting. Fascinating to hear little details like the backstory of what happened with the Soul II Soul remixes - I remember how heavily that was promoted - still got my promo CD too 😎 I spent every spare penny i had on records between 93 and 2002, and a huge number of those were Formation tunes, or all the offshoots like Hot Steppers, D-Power etc. This guy's influence on our scene cannot be overstated - big up Ron for another classic.

[@bartleyrob]

omg black jingle bells damn ill never not hear that now :). respect ron and leyroy

[@upthebuffer1921]

Big up the early midlands crew Amnesia House much love

[@LondonSomething1994]

Shouts out to Mickey Linas, Bam Bam, Nev and all the rest of the Amnesia House gang.

[@damienhill2943]

Big up Leroy! Love listening to that. Hope all is good. God bless bro 👊🏽

[@RicardoAlejandroTV]

Leroy Small DJ SS A Legend Of Leicester Who I'm So Proud Of Him And Put Leicester On The Map With 5HQ F Project Total Kaso Formation Records And World Of Drum And Bass Die Hard Fantazia One Step Beyond Such A Great Guy I went to the birthday parties at university Road Leicester university thank you for your help and supporting and helping putting Leicester on the map one love ❤️

[@arronsmyth]

First time i heard of SS was in Bournemouth Fantazia summertime 92 classic set defo a pioneer in the game

[@DaJungleDred]

Formation records founded DnB - All those tunes that were created for the scene - BadBoy, Oasis, Darkman, Total Xstacy, then they broke Osmosis and Lighter and all the rest!!! Oh man what a label. I saw SS in Manchester a few years ago and I still didn't have the nerve to speak to him lol Legend DJ and top label

[@thepandasdoitbetter]

incredible character and dj love formation mad love 4 ss seen him absolutley destroy raves many times RESPECT

[@sim_1]

Absolutely Love the Tracks released under Formation, it’s one of the labels that really got me into the music. Finding out it was a Leicester thing too (my home city), felt like the stars had aligned. My dad I gotta thank for that too, he tells me stories of when he was a teen, him and my uncles would go down to formation almost every weekend.

[@LondonSomething1994]

Love this and the generational family ties to Jungle.

[@gazsmash]

Big up Ron Parkinson you are a great interviewer .......... lets the host speak and asks the right questions to provoke memories. Big up Ron and the legend SS The Turntable Psycho. I remember a Bboy Crew coming from leicester to Northampton called "Bad Style" back in 85 they had their slot to showcase their talent for about 15 mins..... then we took the floor over with next level moves ;) Long Live Fresh Federation Bboy Crew Northampton.

[@LondonSomething1994]

Oh thanks man. Am glad you’re enjoying the episodes.

[@sparker3240]

The good old days of hanging around in formation record shop ❤

[@Carpenter0102]

5HQ

[@tonypine3434]

There was a period where it felt like there wasnt a lampost in Leicester that didnt habe a DJ SS flyer on it haha. Legend.

[@bobbykipper]

Another amazing episode. Super interesting look into the life of a legend, the Leicester scene, and the origins of Formation/5HQ.

[@LondonSomething1994]

Many thanks!

[@djdubplate76]

Absoute legend usually overlooked, and and absolute hero of mine . 5hq forever 🫡👊

[@nickwilliams4181]

Such a positive and humble man. Great listen

[@Carpenter0102]

5HQ & Formation Records. Legendary pioneer of jungle and d&b

[@section23]

Formation was a buy on sight label back in the 90’s. I bet that hit hard when popularity dropped going out of 2010

[@tomlebree]

SS takes me back to being mixing on belt drives at youth club - I only had a few records and MA3 Remixes was one of them. Great to hear SS's story. Legend.

[@ariescustom]

When you learn on belt drives that's a good foundation because you learn how to cut sets together with very minimal beatmatching, almost hip hop style. By the time I got my first Technics I the ability to beatmatch and scratch properly without 2 pences stuck to the needles was just the icing on the cake. 👊

[@djhaynes99]

That’s true I learnt on a Citronic belt drive deck and a Gerrard deck with no pitch control. I got Technics months later and it was so easy to get beats to match.

[@mohussain786]

SS and Edris (Eddy) Going to 5HQ every weekend! Listening to Fresh FM. The good old days. My childhood right there.

[@EarlReed-y9m]

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the London Something family.Thank you Ron for giving us the general public an insight and portal to past,present and future legends. Just a suggestion for a guest; IC3, would love to hear his chapter in the scene.

[@charlotteomeara204]

The legend that is DJ SS !!! Another great interview love this channel so much ! ♥️xx

[@alexholding46]

There was just some think about formation Records that I did not go for but what a great story and podcast

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thank man 💯

[@native2000wilson-um1ty]

World dance 97 style, DJ ss and kenny ken , still my favourite d&b CD

[@Dathom1986]

Recorded a London something back in 1994 on a sony betamax video recorder , used to watch it with a spliff.

[@PrAnG2000]

04:51 - I think you're talking about The Electric Ballroom in Camden. That's where Poppin' and Brekin' comps were held.

[@leroyscutt939]

Special request: Ron can you nail down Simon bassline Smith for interview?🙏.. original pioneer of the early movement & still producing today.. would be so interesting I think. ❤

[@chrisshaw9836]

Unsung hero of jungle dnb, produced,DJ, label, provided the soundtrack to my youth him Stu Allen tango ratty and all the rest of them pilgrim big up rest in peace tango.

[@kbe1008]

Brilliant as always Ron 👍👍👍

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Metal2000dnb]

Fantastic podcast Ron & DJ SS - a superb & positive listen from one of the original pioneers of jungle & DnB - respect 🎶🙏🏾😎

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thanks for listening

[@dylank9484]

Loved watching this, hige shoutout to Harvest City Church in Leicester my home town and my home church as well, so many great stories from Leroy and DJ Ron. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@LondonSomething1994]

🙏🏾

[@driftbp]

Being from Leicester myself this should be a good one! Thanks for making it happen Ron 👍

[@Arceye_UK]

Ron you should do those business talks. So much experience. Would love to see that

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thanks for the suggestion, it’s defo a good one 💯

[@brotherjay11]

Another excellent podcast i didnt know a lot about SS he provided some great insight. Respect Ron bless up

[@LondonSomething1994]

Much appreciated

[@surfydurfy5000]

Love taking to SS and Idris at sneakers and then 5hq back in the day!

[@cyberseans]

That was awesome ❤️✊🏻

[@scarbsmandem]

Yes big up Leroy! Always been a don

[@djsmokinj]

Remember being on the paid mailing list for tunes back in the day. I will leave you with 'ma2' and say no more!....big up ss

[@westleytayloresq2534]

Mans still humble heart kept his youthful looks. Black dnb jungle pioneer foundation farther ! Was always a treat brining home a fresh ss plate! To play at a rave dat weekend! Hes the Carl cox of dnb jazz and bass baby ahead of his time. Big love 007 remix 2024! 4 the new gen..

[@kenheaton5489]

Give thanks!

[@djfkshg]

amamazing podcast thank u

[@dannywholuv]

Would be good to hear him talk more of the early 90s rave / hardcore. His heart is with jungle/dnb but his earlier stuff deserves more credit

[@NM-yg7kj]

Great episode talking about the early days of formation and the scene up north/midlands . He was going mad talking about church and divorce towards the end but really enjoyed this episode 😂❤

[@leftyz707]

Legend dj ss ,finally got to see him and the wodab,he smashed it,but the club was lame,a biig big fan of this dude

[@LBNS77]

I’ve got the Ultras flyer somewhere!! Starlite 2001. Anyone go to that show? I was too young! 😂

[@Afrogometry]

Looking forward to this one.Ine of my favourite back in the early days of jungle

[@Skimatik_DnB]

Legendary in more than one way 🎯✌️

[@nicktongue4229]

Wkd ❤️💯🔥

[@FayeCNL]

Love the ingenuity and rebound ability of SS. Learning from every moment 💗👌🏻

[@andrewfasanya6904]

Ron I would love to see moving shadow on here too many classic’s 👍🏾

[@RyanSmith-fn3uj]

The first record I ever brought was breakbeat pressure. I can remember the sleeve now. Few year later it's was rollidge and the cutty ranks remix. SS has so many classic tune

[@marylesporis3947]

Excellent Podcast SS&Ron - Uplifting to say the least. Keep on doing what you're doing 💯

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thanks for listening

[@urbandubz]

Legend in the game!

[@chriswftdj]

"All built off inaccessibility" That blew my mind

[@PacManShift6c]

Happy belated bday to SS. 🥳🙏

[@paulfuchspaul1157]

Best DJ ever

[@jh1986100]

Great interview, would good if you could track down mc Riddla for an interview

[@user-tt2qn1cj1x]

2:02:00 DJ SS should look at social enterprise or a Community Interest Company set up for his D&B 4 Life idea.

[@DJDannyIntro]

SS refers to buying decks from Rampage? It that a shop ? An mentions Simon / Dynomo who was getting tunes before him in HMV, is that Bassline Smith ?

[@simonbirch4099]

Nah man that’s me. Simon. Ex Dj Dynamo. Head Promotions from back in the day. Late 80s promoter.

[@vinman3057]

Never leave sight of your sl12,s ! Had mine 33 years im now 50. They been in some odd places 🤣😅🤣 🙂

[@djfkshg]

41:00 carl was cool, then comes the dnb tapes from uk, big up my cus, never looked back. thank u ss

[@ians691]

The Nemesis all-dayer was 22/12/1990 and the big Nemesis @ Castle Donington was 13/07/1991 (not 1993).

[@LondonSomething1994]

Thanks for the correction Ian. It's those little corrections in the comments that really help add a real and true historic timeline for everyone to follow. Appreciated.

[@ians691]

@@LondonSomething1994 Also I'm guessing the Camden market incident was something to do with either Horace or someone who went on to work at Lucky Spin :D The business guy who joined Nemesis was Paul Bernstein. Don't think he actually joined Amnesia House, they and Nemesis just jointly promoted parties.

[@CrisPearson]

Is there an actual podcast of this or is it just on youtube?

[@LondonSomething1994]

We're still working on getting all the episodes on all the usual audio only platforms.

[@CrisPearson]

@@LondonSomething1994 fantastic!

[@stringzoflife]

Scratchenstein!..... The turntable Psycho outta Leicester town.

[@jasonvickerz]

Get the best dj from rave era to ever do it dj Ratty Scratching, chopping in and out and mixing he's the one .....no contest

[@vinman3057]

Any chance of it,s a london thing Acid house edition. Eddie richards & matthew bushwacka B

[@LexDundee]

Service resumed 👍🏽 exceptional content Ron & S ❤ the insight into the business & entrepreneurial side of DnB will be eagerly anticipated ❤❤ Big up 💪🏽

[@bens2529]

you need to see this guy DJ