DAVID RODIGAN
The man needs no introduction. David Rodigan’s contribution to reggae and sound system culture are invaluable. From taking part in some of the biggest reggae sound clashes against some of the biggest sound systems in the world, to running his weekly radio show on Kiss FM for close to two decades, this “Honorary Jamaican” has arguably one of the deepest collections of dubplates, exclusives, and rare cuts in the world. Raised in the English countryside, “Ram Jam” Rodigan is often mistaken for a businessman showing up to his gigs in loafers and a sports coat. But make no mistake about it, the respect and dignity he’s earned is immense based on the fact that his fans flock from all over the world to hear his selections of timeless and modern musical discs. We’re simply honored to share this rare interview with David Rodigan on his thoughts of the past, present, and future.
Interview by Lud Dub
As for starting your career and being into Jamaican music, was it hard to get accepted being a Caucasian DJ? Or was the music so new that it didn’t matter where you were from or who you were?
Initially I was playing to my peer groups in school and college, so it didn’t really matter. I collected Jamaican records and American soul records and I liked to play at discos. I presume they thought I did it well, as I was invited to come back (“Tell Rodigan to bring his records”) and I did so. In later years, the early ’70s, it came apparent that I wanted to play reggae rather than anything else. So by the mid-’70s I was still a DJ in my bedroom by myself, just like millions of other young people.
What happened and what changed it all was I was offered a job on BBC London in 1978. The bedroom DJ became a public DJ. Initially the vast majority of the audience presumed I was a black Londoner, ‘cause they couldn’t see me, but just heard me. So for a good year no one saw me do anything live. I was just on the radio until I did my first live gig in front of a somewhat shocked black audience. When they saw I was white they were shocked, but ultimately, over time, they realized that any prejudice wasn’t justified as I was genuinely in love with their music.
