DJ Shan
Author: Stephen Jewell
Shannon Dirks, aka DJ Shan, may have come to national attention with his version of P-Money's Touch Somethin' starring Deceptikonz, one of the stand out remixes on the recently released 'Big Things Instrumentals' bonus disc. But the Dunedin-based hip hop DJ has been whipping up a storm on the mainland for over five years now.
What does your mother call you? Son
How did you choose your DJ name? It's just an abbreviation of my real name Shannon, and everyone has always called me Shan.
Age: 25
Home city: Born, raised and reside in Dunedin
How long have you been playing? First regular gig was in 1996 but started playing around with turntables around '93-'94.
Gear: Two Technics 1200s, Vestax PMC 05 Pro, Shure 44.7s.
Production credits: Released so far - Sleeping City by me, Love You Baby by The Goods and Touch Somethin' DJ Shan Remix - P Money and Scribe.
Describe your style: Hip hop.
First time you played? Probably at the infamous Loaded Goblin at Otago University in 1995.
Best gig you've played? Major Flavours 3 at Bath St, Dunedin March 2003 was crazy. Dunedin crowds are always good but on this night they were insane. Usouljah rhyming on top of the speaker stack was unforgettable.
Where can the peeps catch you? I do a weekly Thursday night at Bath St which earlier this year celebrated its fifth year and on Tuesday nights, I do the Real Bro Hip Hop Show on Radio 1, 10pm till 12am.
Tell us about your remix of Touch Somethin': Basically Money rang me and asked if I was keen to do a remix, I said "Hell, yeah". He asked what tracks I wanted to mess with and I chose four of my favourites. Money sent me down the vocal tracks. I made four remixes in three days and Touch Somethin' was the one that stood out, I was real happy with it and Money said he dug it. I always liked the original, the Deceptikonz kill it on the vocal and Money's beat was bangin'. I've done a couple of beats for Mareko for his upcoming album 'White Sunday', a few beats for Scribe for his album 'The Crusader' and a beat for the Deceptikonz for their next album, as well as stuff for a Soul Projects/Holla release later this year.
Ambitions: To keep doing what I'm doing. I love DJing and I want to do it for as long as I possibly can. I want to make music that I'm proud of and will still be happy to listen to it in 10 years time. Settle down and start a family with my wonderful partner.
All time top five:
1. Shook Ones Pt 2 - Mobb Deep
2. Day One - D.I.T.C.
3. NY State Of Mind - Nas
4. M.I.A. - Missin Linx
5. Behold My Kool Style - Dam Native
Current favourites:
1. Scribe 2001 (Ali Remix) - Scribe & P Money
2. 8 Mile - G Unit Remix
3. Stop Drop and Roll - The Deceptikonz
4. Solidified - Mobb Deep
5. Pump It Up - Joe Budden
