The track I’ll be opening my next DJ set with
Puff Daddy & The Family: It’s All About The Benjamins
After watching the BET awards and Puffy showing us just how many big records his Bad Boy label has put out, this classic is going to get dropped hard in my next set.
The track that currently gets the most rewinds
Artful Dodger: Re-Rewind
I remember being in the crowd at Notting Hill Carnival in 1999 when one of the soundsystems dropped this record. At this point, no one had a clue who the featured artist was, but being bang in the middle of everyone and hearing how heavy the bassline drop was, I was ready to call for the rewind, too!
The track I think has been unfairly slept on this year
Angel: On The Low
I play this song a lot in my sets alongside some big trap records and people love it!
The track I’d play to show off my eclectic tastes
Shabba Ranks: Ting-A-Ling
I grew up on dancehall music and it holds a strong place in my heart. This song in particular is a crowd favourite.
The track that got me out of bed this morning
Usher: Nice & Slow
Such a classic slow jam! I like to ease out of bed so this does the trick perfectly. Usher, drop some more of this stuff as now’s the time, bro!
The track I wished I’d never played
Akinyele: Put It In Your Mouth
Now I love this song and the old-school hip-hop peeps go nuts for it, but when you are doing a live radio show from your home and you forget that there is no radio edit, you soon learn when and when not to drop this record.
The track I’d play at my auntie’s wedding
Clean Bandit: Rather Be
The lyrics say it all. And having had Clean Bandit over to my home for an intimate after party after seeing them perform live in Miami, I have to say that I couldn’t wish more happiness and success to such a lovely, talented group of people.
The track I’d play at sunset in Ibiza
Medina: You And I
I always drop this song when I want to mellow out the crowd yet still have them engaged in the melody, as the lyrics are so simple yet effective.
The track I’d play at my funeral
Michael Jackson: Human Nature
I’d have trouble playing this one as my body would no longer be functioning as usual, but being able to warp in to the DJ who was playing I would drop this little MJ gem.
Craig David presents TS5 at Oslo, E8, 16 July
