Career
DJ Semtex is notable for having one arm, but there is no information about how he lost the missing part except for some anecdotal fan reports that it may have been military related. He can be seen scratching using his nose at live shows. Semtex began his career in the music industry in 1992, hosting weekly pirate radio shows in Manchester and performing at clubs such as the Haçienda and Home.
During this time he also DJed for De la Soul when they performed in Manchester, and hosted Wyclef’s Carnival afterparty in London.
He also produced hip-hop mixes for British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1’s Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood and various DJs on Galaxy FM between 1996 and 1998. His proficiency at producing and distributing hip-hop mixtapes internationally led to Semtex being commissioned to produce promotional mixtapes for major labels such as Sony, Universal, Loud Records, and Def Jam.
After completing his degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, Semtex moved to London, and was employed by Sony Music to set up their Street Team in 1998. Moving to London helped Semtex to become one of the United Kingdom’s premier hip-hop deejays and in subsequent years he helped organising a Lauryn Hill after party, DJd on the Music Television float at Notting Hill Carnival, and opened shows for Dead Prez, Wyclef, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and Asher Roth amongst others
In 2001, Semtex established the Urban department for Def Jam United Kingdom, and joined British Broadcasting Corporation Radio, the United Kingdom’s first national black music station as a hip-hop DJ. On behalf of the station he has broadcast shows live from New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, backstage at Live8 and the Bahamas.
Past guests on his show have included 50 Cent, Kanye West, the Game, P.Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Dizzee Rascal, Nas, LL Cool J, Lil’ Jon, the Streets, Jay-Z, Eminem, Kano, Ludacris, Ja Rule, Wu-Tang Clan, Sway, Roots Manuva and others In 2002 Semtex became an A&R official at Def Jam United Kingdom. His first signing was Fatman Scoop, whose debut single, Be Faithful, hit the Number.1 in the United Kingdom charts and around Europe. Semtex continues to DJ at high profile engagements such as the Phat Farm University of Medicine and Pharmacy party for Russell Simmons, Kanye West"s United Kingdom tour, DMX, Nas and Nelly on their United Kingdom tours and is also Dizzee Rascal"s official tour DJ. His 2006 release was called "Grime Wave".
Since 2002 Semtex has hosted a Friday night show (22:00-01:00) on, the United Kingdom‘s first national urban music station.
