Renegade Riddims: DJ Switch

Introducing Jack Wilson, aka DJ Switch, an 18-year-old Jungle selector from Milton Keynes (our hometown). Switch is just one year into a DJ journey that started long before he ever touched a pair of decks.

His connection to the sound goes back to his grandad, a raver from the scene’s earliest days who filled his childhood with stories of playing out at The Sanctuary and Junction 14. It was his stepdad, Simon (SY-FY), who eventually put the tools in his hands and taught him to DJ, and that’s when the stories his grandad told him became something he could feel for himself.

Since then, Switch has shared bills with several of the artists his grandad used to play alongside, including Dillinja, Mampi Swift, Jumpin Jack Frost, Bryan Gee, DJ Krust, Aries and Nicky Blackmarket. He’s also gone back to back with DJ Hybrid at his 18th Birthday party.

For Switch, DJing isn’t about the perks. It’s about carrying the sound and spirit of the ’80s and ’90s into a generation where Jungle’s history doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. He wants people to understand where the music came from and why it still means so much to those who grew up on it, and to keep alive the culture that brings so many different types of people together.

I met Jack a few months ago when he supported Dillinja and Mampi Swift at Rumble In The Jungle at Unit Nine in Milton Keynes. I was immediately impressed with his knowledge, skill and track selection. Trust me when I say, the future’s looking very bright for DJ Switch!

DJ Switch joins us on our Renegade Riddims series with a really vibey mix. Featuring music from artists such as DJ SS, Bladerunner, Break, Total Science, Shy FX, DJ Zinc, DJ Hybrid and many more!

Check out the mix below and download it for free here!

Q&A:

Sum up the mix in 10 words…

The new-era jungle mixed with the old-school jungle. 

What’s your personal favourite track on it?

Scuffed, Mista Jago ‘Sound Killing’ feat. Miss Klair (jungle remix) 

What’s the special ingredient in the mix?

Passion for jungle what else can be said? I just want to make my generation realise what I missed out on. It’s the 80s and 90s; that’s when jungle/dnb/hardcore was at its peak, and I wanna try to bring that back. 

What have you got coming up?

I’ve got MC Traffic’s radio show, a 2-hour-long set 

When was the last time you raved?

One of my last raves was The Prodigy at Milton Keynes Bowl, and wow, it’s like I had the chance to see a snippet of the 90s 

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?

If you truly like jungle and dnb, then learn the history of where it all started and who started it. Jungle is a lot more than just music, and when you learn a bit of history about it, you will see what I mean.

TRACKLIST:

DJ SS – Lighter (Blade Runner Remix 2012)
DJ Hybrid – Big Four Five (Zapya Remix)
Kartoon – Run Dat
Deekline, Queen Omega, Manudigital – Don’t Call Me Local
Aries, Nicky Blackmarket, DJ Gaw – Hold On
Bladerunner – Lone Soldier
My Selecta – The Unknown
Bladerunner – Musical Murda
LowRIDERz, Smoky D – Hybrid Skank
Deekline, Ed Solo, Top Cat, AIRGLO – Space
Total Science – Squash
Eva Lazarus, Scuffed, Jenks – Bun Up the Dance
Dunk – Badboy Roller
Zoro ft Junior Dangerous – Light It Up
Bladerunner – Jungle Strike
Shy FX, Protoje – Who Knows (ft Chronixx)
Toby Ross – Ruff Cutz
Potential Badboy, Ragga Twins, Tim Reaper – Dangerous Is Dangerous (Remix)
Bladerunner – Come Again
Diagnostix, Crossy – Mike Selecta
Business As Usual, BR!DGE – Haffi Bun
Toby Ross – Musical Warfare
Toby Ross, Fez The Kid – Cucumber Jungle (VIP)
DJ Hybrid – Rumble in the Jungle
Shy FX – Original Nuttah
DJ Hybrid – Battle Skillz (VIP)
Mr Quest, Blackout JA, YT – Sound Killing feat. Miss Klair (Jungle Remix)
Tim Reaper – Something Unreal (Pixl Remix)
Scuffed, Junior Dog – High Grade
Shorty – Forbidden Jungle
Scuffed, Mista Jago – Soundboy Dead
DJ Zinc – Ready or Not (’96 Remix)
Break – Excuses