Cool Hand Luke is a master hip hop RnB DJ with decades of experience around Australasia and the world. He will be back firing up the decks at Mrs Sippy on two occasions this month; Saturdays Sept 20 and 27. Here’s your chance to find out more. Let me introduce Cool Hand Luke.
How and when did you get involved in DJing? How did that happen?
“I was a manager running venues in Sydney and quickly worked out the DJ made more than me in a night than I did in a week. I went back to NZ (my birthplace) for a holiday, stuck around for a while, and one of my best mates had just won the NZ DMC championships and he taught me how to DJ. That was 32 years ago. I went back to Sydney and broke into the exclusive inner city nightclub scene, and ended up working at just about every club in the inner city of Sydney for many years.”
He ended up getting sponsored by Dickies and Adidas and supporting countless international acts that went to Australia from Janet Jackson, Jurassic 5, De La Soul, Roy Ayres to Eminem, then he went on to play festivals in Australia then DJing overseas in LA / Paris and holding residencies in New York, London and playing at beach clubs in Jamaica just to name a few spots.
I see you are fully committed to the hip hop world, what’s so good about it, the hip hop style?
“Hip Hop is a culture, a way of life. Rap music is what we listen to, and it got me at a young age when Run DMC toured New Zealand in the 80s. I was hooked, totally addicted!!! Who would have known 20 years later I would get to DJ with Jam Master Jay from Run Dmc. I collect Boomboxes, Hip Hop memorabilia, records, and I support any Hip Hop gig I can, do charity block parties and try to pass any knowledge I can on to the next generation.
It sounds like quite a community. So, you now call Sydney home, right? How did the Mrs Sippy gig come about and how has it been going?
“Yes, I’ve been in Sydney for 25 years now, still DJing 4 nights a week. Mrs Sippy wanted a break from all the house, which it is known for, and wanted try something new so started Hip Hop Saturdays and hit me up to come play once a month.”
And how is it so far and what can punters expect when you are back for a double session of Saturdays at the end of September?
Staff and owners are next level accommodating, the crowd is different every time (my set is 3-5 pm ). I never know what I’m gonna play till I do a walk around the venue and feel the energy. My style is heavily influenced from the east coast Tribe, De La, Gangstarr.
You will get a sprinkle of the classics, a lot of underground joints and it’s round a pool, so some splashes of reggae, and a bit of old school funk. Most of my gigs are rooftops, or at beaches these days, so good vibes is my M.O!
