Skiddle Mix 087 and Interview: Deekline

Deekline's nominations for 'Outstanding Contribution' and 'Best DJ' in this year's Bass Music Awards comes as no surprise. His impact on the genre has been colossal, over the course of his career he's released iconic tracks and developed stand out record labels. 

In 1998 Nicholas Annand aka Deekline was the owner of London's biggest pirate radio station Flex FM and the following year he set up Rat Records to release 'I Don't Smoke', which is considered a seminal record in the world of bass. That same label now pushes out music from the likes of Stanton Warriors, Wiley and DJ Fresh. 

He continues to champion the best in garage, beakbeat, bass and everything inbetween, introducing fans of the genre old and new to some of the hottest tracks on the circuit. We caught up with him ahead of the BMAs. 

Skiddle Mix 087 - Deekline (Gutter Gutter/Jungle Cakes) by Skiddle on Mixcloud

First up, You have been nominated for Best DJ at the Bass Music Awards – how do you feel?

Honoured and humbled. 

You've put together a mix from us prior to the awards, how do you think it reflects your style and attitude towards bass music?

It’s reflection of the music I grew up listening to and what I am inspired by.

What first inspired you to become a DJ, and how did you decide on your unique style? Who were your inspirations? 

DMC Championship, EZ, Hype, DJ Laz from Miami.

Beginning your career in the nineties meant that you didn’t have the access to all the social media and online platforms that new artists have today. You have had such a successful career already, how different do you feel it would be if you were just about to launch a career for yourself now?

Back then you could just be a DJ, now you have to be a DJ producers and social media whiz to get heard. I luckily have a team of people that work on my behalf.

What are your thoughts about the impact that social media has within the music industry currently?  

It’s hugely important whether or not artists want to admit it, it's necessary. I think it's a current trend and you have to keep up with them. Do I think its necessary to music? Of course not, it's marketing and a vehicle to connect with your fans internationally. It's important to portray an image of yourself online that your fans can relate to and get to know you as a real person.

It’s hard when you are a musician to suddenly think about doing social media as it takes a certain skill and personality to do it correctly. A friend of mine started her own business for musicians and she’s smashing it as there is a need. She works very hard with the artist to ensure it’s their personality. Shout out to Gutter Butter PR - she was one of the first and probably only legitimate person doing it in this industry.  

You are the founder of Rat Records, releasing material from artists such as DJ Fresh and Wiley. What was it that made you decide to launch your own label and how is it all going currently?

I’ve released a lot of material from a lot of artists over the years, having started Rat Records in 1998 when I was 17.  It started it to release my track ‘Dont Smoke Da Reefa’. I since went on to run many labels from Hardcore beats with the Olly the founder of BlackButter Records. I also own Jungle Cakes with Ed Solo, Hotcakes and several others.  

I also own the BassBoutique.co.uk which is a bass music apparel clothing store and I also have a booking agency, Hotcakes Agency to run. Thank goodness I have an efficient and loyal team of people working with me, as it’s a lot to manage for one person especially whilst I am concentrating mostly about music production and touring.

Could you name three records that changed your life?

DJ Zinc '138 Trek'

Timo Maas 'Doomsnight'

Zed Bias 'Neighborhood'

You have collaborated with a variety of notable producers. What would be your dream collaboration?

If I could go back it would have to be Prodigy, KRS One, Goldie.

Are there any particular tracks that are making into your sets at the minute and any new talents on your radar who you think we should be keeping an eye out for?

My new track Pass Me the Rizla with General Levy ft Tippa Irie is out now. I have also signed some exciting new artists to Hotcakes label and agency which I own, look out for:  

Hypho, Wuki, Firestar SoundSystem, Mafia Kiss tracks forthcoming.

You can view all the categories and nominees and can cast your votes over on the Bass Music Awards website. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event