“Before my DJing career took off, I worked in social care in Greenwich, London, supporting vulnerable young people aged five to eighteen.
Being involved with children again and helping them through the power of music feels like a natural fit for me.
I’m incredibly excited to meet the team and pupils and continue the fantastic work that LNADJ and its previous trips have achieved at Angels Gate.” – Darren Jay
We are thrilled to welcome Darren to Team LNADJ and our upcoming January trip to Tanzania! With his previous experience in voluntary roles supporting young people in Africa, Darren is well-prepared to deliver the Get Equipped programme with both ease and passion.
We can’t wait to see him share all the energy of Jungle and liquid (and soulful) Drum & Bass with the young people at Angels Gate Centre for Boys
Darren will work with Jono Heale, Trevor Fung and LNADJ team members Ellie and Jonny to represent our Get Equipped initiative to help build confidence, elevate the positive profile of street youth, and provide a safe space to learn whilst encouraging self-discovery, stress relief and emotional release through the power of music and art.
Darren Jay began his DJ career in 1989 with a residency at Asylum in Woolwich Polytechnic, later becoming a fixture in London’s vibrant party scene. 1991, he moved to Tenerife, collaborating with legends such as Mr. C, C.J. Mackintosh, and Ricardo Da Force (KLF). Upon returning to London, he played for Fabio & Grooverider’s Rage at Heaven and became a resident at the iconic AWOL in 1992, performing alongside Randall, Micky Finn, Kenny Ken, Dr. S Gachet, MC GQ, and Fearless, helping to spearhead the Jungle explosion.
Since 1991, he’s been busy becoming a seasoned music industry figure with an impressive legacy that continues to inspire with his enduring passion for music.
He co-compiled 140bpm with Micky Finn for Moonshine Music and MCA’s Total Science compilations (Volumes 1-3). As co-founder of Mecca Recordings, he earned awards for Troublesome Waters with B Sonic and MC Riddla. Darren’s production credits include releases on Tone Def Records, Prime Time Wax, Wide Open Music, and a Barry Boom Remix with Micky Finn and Aphrodite.
In 2012, Darren and Micky launched Sunbeatz Drum & Bass Holidays in Ibiza, running successfully for seven years. Now splitting his time between Ibiza and Valencia, he manages AWOL, which thrives with sold-out events at Ministry of Sound, Fabric, and the Sunborne Festival.
Since 2017, Darren has toured as Sound Manager for Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers), performing at major festivals like Glastonbury and Dimensions. This, coupled with Ibiza’s influence, has honed his focus on Soulful DnB and Liquid.
Recently, he co-founded The Valencia Bass Collective and launched the Balearic Breaks label. During the pandemic, Darren released Mixology Impeccable Selection (10 mixes) and expanded globally with DJ trips to Uganda and Zanzibar.
This January, he will support us in Tanzania, so we caught up with him ahead of the trip to learn why he’s joining us to build hope through music.
What motivated you to volunteer with Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation and participate in this experience?
I first became aware of LNADJ about seven years ago when I met Jonny and Ali while living in Ibiza. Witnessing the positive impact of their fundraising efforts and the incredible way electronic music could unite people for such an amazing cause truly inspired me.
Motivated by this experience, I volunteered for a trip to Uganda with the Abode Project, where they had constructed a school in Kabale. We built a music room during that trip and taught three local young boys how to DJ. At the end of our stay, we surprised them by giving them the opportunity to perform at a small event with us. That trip, especially that day, will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Jonny and Dominic were also on this trip, with LNADJ providing all the equipment for the school’s music setup. Since returning, I’ve been involved in two Set for Love events, the most recent featuring my label partner, Jazzy, from Balearic Breaks.
What do you hope to gain personally and professionally from joining us in Tanzania?
My experience working with the Abode Project in Uganda profoundly demonstrated the power of teamwork and the remarkable positive change we can achieve when we unite our efforts. Whether it’s in education, sponsorship, friendship, or other areas, the impact can be transformative.
One example that stands out is Gideon, a young student I mentored in DJing. Not only did he complete his education, but he launched his weekly radio show on the popular Hills FM in Kabale just six months after our departure.
Witnessing his journey reinforced my belief in the potential of music as a teaching tool. It serves as a powerful conduit for inspiring young people to realise their potential and pursue their dreams.
Do you have a personal connection to our mission, Tanzania or our project, Get Equipped?
Before my DJing career took off, I worked in social care in Greenwich, London, supporting vulnerable young people aged five to eighteen. Being involved with children again and helping them through the power of music feels like a natural fit for me.
I’m incredibly excited to meet the team and pupils and continue the fantastic work that LNADJ and its previous trips have achieved at Angels Gate.
And finally, what record has changed or saved your life?
So the record that has been a constant in my life is actually an album Marvin Gaye, Whats going on. He covers love , addiction, social injustice and relationships; this is timeless for me.
From all of us at LNADJ, Big, Big Love to Darren for stepping up to join us on our mission to build hope through music. We are really excited to see how Jungle & Drum and Bass land with the young people and can’t wait to follow your journey and learn about the impact you have.
If you’d like to learn more about Get Equipped, head here.
Please head to Darren’s Just Giving page here to support Darren and help fund this project.
Thank you, and as always, Big Love
Team LNADJ x
