Introduction by Christopher Kevin Au // Words by Lillian FlexMami Ahen
Last week, we recruited clubbing queen FlexMami to name nine of her young Australian DJ colleagues who are killing it right now with their energetic and invigorating sets.
However, it wouldn’t be right to honour today’s emerging talents without acknowledging the efforts of those who eased us into the tumultuous world of clubbing in Sydney, Melbourne and abroad. This week, we asked FlexMami to name nine seasoned DJs who are still going strong today – many of whom she’s had the pleasure of playing with across the country. Salute to the legends, bow down to the OGs and see who FlexMami picked below:
Last week, I gave you a rundown of at the 9 (myself included) young Aussie DJ’s responsible for delivering the most hype club vibes, while your sweating out your inhibitions and fake freckles. This week I’m shining some light and love onto the seasoned selectors who’ve been doing this for longer than we realise, and are still blessing us with an A+ time, every time:
MIKE WHO
Fun fact: My love for the club started right around the time I experienced the bliss associated with a Mike Who set. He’s renowned as one of Sydney’s most diverse and respected selectors, known for consistently serving up eclectic mixes. His wildly-sourced taste and deep hip-hop roots lend themselves to a certifiably hype dancefloor experience. The level of fun associated with two-stepping in the function increases ten-fold when Mike Who is your designated DJ.
When he’s not curating some of the best love-inspired mixes, you can find him ranting about ice cream and upholding his title as the 17th best watchmaker from his childhood neighbourhood.
FOLLOW MIKE WHO: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
YO! MAFIA
An OG sneaker aficionado with a huge affinity for all things hip-hop, Melbourne-based DJ Yo! Mafia has been holding it down with ease for the last 15 years. Growing up during the fruition of hip hop in the late 70’s and early 80’s saw Mafia acquire an envious record collection and a naturally superior knowledge for hip-hop burners. With this mastery, she’s been able to expertly mix commercial bangers and old school joints across a number of genres to create a sonic experience that’s quintessentially her. It’s no wonder she’s locked down the support slot for acts like Missy Elliot, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams and Lady Gaga.
FOLLOW YO! MAFIA: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
DJ LEON SMITH
I could write 32-bars on the list of DJ Leonard Smith’s accolades. No chorus needed, because the verses would be that good. Known for his timeless colour co-ordinated basketball jersey and fitted cap combos, but loved for his ignorant Southern rap tracks – if you aren’t across the content of Australia’s Number 1 Strip Club DJ, then you fell off.
The self-proclaimed Kevin McHale of the DJ game, your boy has been sprinkling sonic seasoning around Sydney dance floors long enough to earn the veteran title, curating legendary Sydney club XO while finding time to jump on board as the official DJ for the blockbuster Jay Z/Rihanna/Ne-Yo tour some years back. Leon Smith’s career is what dreams are made of. If you’re feenin’ for a huge night out, complete with wild new hip-hop cuts (without the dance music synths), then I would recommend the Leon Smith experience.
Editor’s note: Catch him every Friday and Saturday at Dollhouse Nightspot to see why he’s been called ‘Australia’s Number 1 Adult Entertainment Mood Curator’.
FOLLOW DJ LEON SMITH: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // AUDIOMACK
BENI
Self-professed curious motherfucker and one half of the electro-house duo Riot in Belgium, Sydney-based producer/DJ Beni is just not new to this. He dropped his first single ‘My Love Sees You’ through Kitsune in 2008, and has managed to stay fresh in our hearts, minds and playlists to this date – even remixing Mylo’s classic ‘Drop The Pressure’ this year. For those who were fortunate enough to roll through to his mid-week thumper held at Bondi’s cult favourite venue El Topo, or more recently playing down the road on weekends at YOURS – you would’ve heard him mix both crowd-faves and electronic deep cuts with ease.
Editor’s note: ‘La Musique’ on repeat for the rest of the day.
FOLLOW BENI: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
DJ LEVINS
Oh my, what a guy. What started off as a recipe for the coolest Dad/DJ in Sydney quickly turned into a riddle that I just happened to have the solution to. Who is the beloved keeper of one of the most awe-inspiring CVs, spanning from arguably the best Dad in the universe, co-founder of Heaps Decent, former head-chef and co-owner of American diner ‘The Dip’, pioneer of local pop culture themed club nights, one half of gamechanging rap party Halfway Crooks (special mention to co-curator Captain Franco), podcast aficionado and ultimately the most prized relic in Sydney’s club skewed history? Plot twist: it’s DJ Levins.
DJing mates’ house parties quickly transitioned into a fruitful career blessing punters with Baltimore Club, Baile Funk and Crunk long before the Soundcloud hype. If you find yourself feening for a certified A+ night out, you can catch him spinning both rap heaters and pop sensations at the Hudson Ballroom.
FOLLOW DJ LEVINS: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // MIXCLOUD
TRANTER
A quick glance of this legend’s Facebook page will tell you that he’s no doubt DJing the sickest parties in Melbourne. A speedy look at his Soundcloud will tell you that he’s really tall with A+ sonic sensibilities. A swift look at his Twitter will tell you that it’s on private and open to approved eyes only.
What these platforms won’t tell you is that Tranter has just celebrated 10 years of DJing and if that isn’t a MF milestone worth acknowledging, then what bloody is? When he’s not outshining your favourites on the ones and twos, he’s sharing food-hacks – ask him about the Hungry Jacks grilled chicken trick – DJing the Mercat every month and rinsing R&B baby-making tracks. Same though.
FOLLOW TRANTER: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
KATO
Known to some as Barney and to others as Kato, this Sydney DJ, producer, radio personality and record connoisseur has been paving the way for forward-thinking tunes as one half of the techno duo Wordlife. If you’ve graced GoodGod Small Club, The Metro, Club 77, Revolver Upstairs, The World Bar or a Motorik party in the last couple of years then it’s likely you’ve been on a bender during one of Barney’s sets already. Whichever alter ego you’re familiar with, we’re sure it’s not just his exquisite music taste that fuels your appreciation for him.
He’s an avid supporter of the Keep Sydney Open movement, using his personal experience as a tool to educate both punters and politicians on the dire and draconian status of Sydney’s current night life. And let’s not forget about that infamous TUNE rag!
FOLLOW KATO: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
MAT CANT
When he isn’t basking in the glory of owning the sickest appropriated logo ever, Melbourne-based DJ/Producer Mat Cant’s professional CV is a testament to hard work and expertise, highlighted in the versatility of the genres he plays. Since beginning his DJ career in 2003, Cant has secured residencies across Melbourne’s best clubs and venues, most notably The Late Show at Revolver Upstairs, as well as moonlighting as the tour DJ for Aussie rap artist 360.
Also, his list of international support acts span from A-Trak to Little Simz, Le1f to SBTRKT so it’s safe to say that ‘awe’ is an understatement. Aside from DJing, Mat continues to celebrate his love for hip-hop through his record label Scattermusic, co-owned by Aussie producer Lewis Cancut.
Editor’s note: The first time we saw Mat Cant he was wearing a Ferrari Boyz shirt. Huge.
FOLLOW MAT CANT: FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // SOUNDCLOUD
SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN
Nasi Goreng enthusiast, radio presenter, a modern day renaissance man, master of ceremonies, party promotor and one of the countries most omnipresent DJs – it’s safe to say that Shantan kind of does it all. Holding it down at Triple J, this dutty-whine expert has been the go-to guy for great music selection, unparalleled radio banter and seamless club sets. Proving to be one of the most versatile selectors on the circuit, he’s created ‘Dutty Dancing’ and ‘Player Haters Ball’, two of Sydney’s most successful party nights that bridge his love for dancehall and hip-hop long before the latest mainstream infatuation with Carribbean sounds.
It’s hard to imagine how he manages any down time, but we’ve heard that when he gets a few hours to himself, he partake in elbow modelling and breeds champion snails. [Image by Robin Hearfield]
