The Definitive David Rodigan Interview - Part 1

David Rodigan MBE needs little introduction.

One of reggae's premiere broadcasters since the late '70s, when he joined Radio London after several years selling records on a stall, Rodigan is best-known for his legendary residency at Kiss FM, though last year he made the move to BBC Radio 1xtra after claiming that Kiss moving his time slot was part of their "continued marginalisation of reggae music". Off-air Rodigan has built a reputation as a titan of the soundclash format, and he represents one of music's most respected elders both in and outside of the reggae world -- ask Goldie and Marcus Nasty who the DJ they most respect is, and you'll see what we mean.

To ask the questions in this in-depth interview with Rodigan, we recruited Wrongtom. The South London DJ and producer has worked with everybody from Roots Manuva and Hard-Fi in his time, and as it turns out, has interviewed Rodigan before. He did a fantastic job, and we're very thankful to him for getting involved, as well as Laurent Fintoni for the hook-up. In part one, Rodigan talks about discovering reggae as a young mod, how Sgt. Pepper blew everybody's mind, and how Caspa and Breakage helped to find him a new audience.

David Rodigan will bring his Ram Jam night to the London Forum on May 17 with sets from Toddla T, Ms Dynamite and more.

[barryquinnell]

No one has done more to promote the worlds best contemporary music. Thank Mr. Rodigan, maximum respect.

[JoeHetherington]

saw rodigan last night at reading festival, absolutely killed it, everyone in the crowd was loving every second of it. absolute legend and a pioneer of Jamaican music in the uk

[dosborne]

Was at London's Forum last night, Ram Jam! Bitty McClean, Ms Dynomite, Chas and Status rolled, the man is rocked the house! Love him! Thank you D Rodigan

[sandralutscher]

music legend in is own right respect mr Rodigan

[stevecook]

Reggae never grows old ever the basis still for so much music

[Reez]

Rodigan you have introduced me 2 some many artist that i would of never found out about by myself.
Slim Smith is now one of the most played artist in my itunes.

[kdeeuk]

im a dj i started playing reggae in 1971, at the age of 13 im now 61 and still play it, proper

[hayleyscootergirl]

David Rodigan is such a ledge! Saw him at the Fred Perry Gig on Thurs and he was amazing...

[crackedcookies]

4:39 "absolutely"... Interview gold!

[dappa]

I feel your pain, reggae has evolved from previous years to conform with changing trends. Basically there's too much reggae music to play as a DJ, I should know I used to be one but family man now. So anyway people want to hear it all so this is unfortunately for some, the best way to bring to the chosen few. Just how reggae is played now at live gigs not like old days, check out a live reggae band sometime you'll love it or dub sound system session. Peace!!

[daddyants]

Should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[thomhall]

saw him for the first time at lovebox this year and he fucking killed it, best dj ive ever seen

[MAJORSNODGRASS]

Appreciate your reply and have watched the video but I still prefer to listen to the whole of a recond not just snatches. Still thats his style and understand he's very popular.

[djdellon]

iam totally loving this but the bad thing is iam in england and people dont realy want to listen to reggae any more all they want is pop and the pop artist are singing a losd of crap reggae run the world people should know this .

[derpz]

When is Mr Rodigan going to be knighted?

[MAJORSNODGRASS]

I went to an open-air David Rodigan gig but was disappointed. He was always interrrupting the flow of the music by interacting with the audience thus not allowing the music to speak for itself. All you heard was clips of songs as if the audience hadn't the atttention span to listen to the whole track.

[hotshotgels]

Rodigan where you get the format jingles & sound efx & intro to all the artist from yard ? the late great never mentioned MIKEY Dread, aka Michael Campbell, Original Dread at the Controls, revolutionary back to back Roots & Culture via radio JBC before Barry G, All Respect due to Mikey, only thru imigration bulshit did he mentor Rodigan to prosper for the sake of Reggae on the Radio, ask UB40 or The Clash if a lie me a tell !

[realise.]

Jadi junglist what time you have the dread

[delroywashington]

Great guy music is colour Blind ! He still nos his ting !

[denzilprice]

love david but what has he done for the reggae music, ???the platform reggae music is on is still in the basement, he has grown and reggae has elevated him but not the music, alan freed he is yes, the BBC plays plays reggae music late at nights, same shit all the time a black man cannot represent his own music on the biggest almost white platform