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DJ Yoda on the decks at Spanky's. Photo: Maria Terry
DJ Yoda is an underground commodity in every sense of the phrase; quietly going about his business of being possibly the greatest scratch DJ this country has produced while from to time to time ripping the rooftops off a multicultural and harmonious crowd. Friday night at Spanky Van Dykes was one of those nights, coupled with cyphers galore involving the finest of Nottingham’s lyrical prophets, it truly was a night to remember.
I’m one of those paranoid freaks that when a huge night on the calendar is about to commence I have to get there on the time stated in the fear of missing out. Of course, and like every time before that, proceedings didn’t kick off until an hour and a half after my arrival in which time a fair few spiced rum and gingers were consumed.
The makeshift DJ booth had a warm infectious feeling reverberating from its location, situated opposite the bar just underneath the stair case, kitted out in fairy lights and hipster art. This left virtually the whole room as a dancefloor, slowly filling up as more punters made their way through the door before Motormouf and Kane Ashmore hit the mics in succession warming up the toasty crowd.
With Dan Rattomatic providing the beats, the local legends of Juga-Naut, Vandal Savage and Cappo (otherwise known as VVV aka VigoVenkmanVorhes) showed just why Notts hip hop is alive and kicking with social conscience and poetic beauty. Each sharing a cool 16-bar between each song, the trio embody everything DJ Yoda adheres to; pure good vibrations echoing the love of the watching crowd.
The main man hit the decks bang on midnight with a packed house ready to witness a stalwart in not just UK hip hop, but the cultural movement worldwide. Making his way through a showcase of bangers from Gangstarr to Big Daddy Kane and Nas to an astonishing ensemble piece of A Tribe Called Quest hits (Can I Kick It, The Chase Part II and the masterpiece of Electric Relaxation) sending the crowd, myself included, into complete hysterics.
Scratching and lucidly flowing track-to-track of pure musical fusion for nigh on two hours, the master lived up to every expectation and more. Lets hope he returns, but that will take some toppling Yoda. In the words of the real, mini green Yoda, “The force is strong with this one”.
Too right homie.
DJ Yoda was at Spanky Van Dykes on Friday 23 October 2015.
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