Stem Cell Donor Drives and Star-Studded DJ Benefit Planned for Sonia Akow from Push Promotion

Sonia-Push

In January we reported that London-based music publicist Sonia Akow, who has worked with countless artists on the underground bass scene, was diagnosed with Leukaemia last November and now urgently needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life. Sonia’s mother died of the same disease a little over a year ago. Two stem cell donor drives have been organized in London, and Sonia is appealing for people aged 16-30 (especially those like Sonia who are of mixed heritage) to spare 20 minutes to register as a donor at one of the events listed below. To join the register (if you are 31-49 and live in the UK you can sign up at http://blood.co.uk; international registries can sign up here) all you need to do is complete a simple application form and provide a saliva sample.

Stem Cell Donor Drive 1
Tuesday 26th Feb 2-8pm
Shepherds Bar – Shepherds Building Charecroft Way, London W14 0da

Stem Cell Donor Drive 2
Saturday 2nd March 11-5pm
The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Ladbroke Grove, London W11 2ay

DJ Mag’s Carl Loben, DJ Deekline, Terry Hooligan, Biff (Functional) and others are organizing a benefit club night for Sonia called Push Play at The Egg in Kings Cross, London, on Thursday, March 28. The benefit will feature performances by Krafty Kuts, Shut Up & Dance, MJ Cole, Dub Pistols, A-Skillz, Freestylers, Deekline & Ed Solo, Atomic Hooligan, Stereo MCs, Ragga Twins and many more. More names are expected to be announced shortly.

Sonia has been a true champion of underground music — breaks, ragga, drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, electro — over the years. Please help someone from our scene who urgently needs help by going to the stem cell drive or by simply spreading the word.

Sonia Akow from Daniel Crouch on Vimeo.

London’s Black Market Records Launch DJ Headphone Line

Black Market London headphones

Revered Soho indie record shop Black Market announced today that it will launch a line of designer DJ headphones and a collection of merchandise this year. While no specific release date has been made pubic for the store’s Black Market London headphones, what we know is that the DJ headphones will retail for £39.99 MSRP, will be available in five colors and promise to be “quality, affordable alternative in a market place crowded with big brands and megastar endorsements.” Also in the pipeline is a line of T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with the iconic Black Market logo. “Black Market are music experts, not a corporate giant,” read a press statement. “Black Market love music and want to share their passion with the world.

Headphone specs:

Frequency Response: 20 HZ – 20 KHZ I
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivty: 115+ / -3dB / mW at 1 KHZ Drive:
diameter 40 mm
Cable: 150 cm+ / -3% Plug Type: 3.5 mm stereo Maximum Power Handling: 1000 mW

Calvin Harris Says He Was Misquoted by BBC Reporter, Threatens To Sue

Fresh from a Twitter feud with Lady Gaga, Scottish DJ/producer Calvin Harris is threatening to sue the BBC over a Newsbeat story quoting him as saying that he thinks it’s acceptable for DJs to play pre-recorded sets during gigs.

According to the story written by Newsbeat music reporter Greg Cochrane, Harris said: “I think it’s not a problem. In the club, you want to hear a produced piece of music, you want to hear the bass, you want to hear it as good as it can sound…I used to perform with a band putting all sorts of work into a live show, and I can tell you that the reaction was worse than it is when I’m DJing.”

Harris took to Twitter yesterday vehemently denying that he uttered those words and stating that he is considering legal action against the Beeb. (See a few of Harris’ many tweets below; he’s also asking for the audio of the interview to be released.)

Harris’ accusation comes after allegations of child sexual abuse committed by the late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile have come to light that have rocked the U.K. broadcaster and led to the resignation of BBC Director-General George Entwistle.

So far the BBC hasn’t issued a statement about Harris’ claim that he was misquoted.

Usain Bolt Celebrates Olympic Gold with London DJ Set [Video]

How did Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrate the milestone of becoming the world’s fastest man after defending his triple gold in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay at the London Olypmics? By hitting a Brick Lane nightclub in London and performing an impromptu DJ set, of course.

“I’m feeling great, I’m happy I did what I did. I came here to become a legend and I am now so I’m very happy with myself,” Bolt said before entering the DJ booth.

“I am a legend,” Bolt shouted out to the packed dance floor from the decks with his arms raised in the air.

This isn’t the first time Bolt has hit the decks, having taken to the turntables last year in Paris. While Bolt clearly has a lot to celebrate given his accomplishments during the past two weeks, here’s hoping this musical victory in the DJ booth lap doesn’t become a habit.