Ras Kwame Profile

Where were you born?
London.

Your favourite hobby and/or present as a kid
Football as my dad is a big fan of the game and he took me to most Chelsea FC home games aged 3 upwards.

How you got into being a DJ/presenter
My older brother would never let me near his record collection hence I became obsessed with having my own which led to me wanting to show off what heavy tunes I had at any opportunity I could get in the mid-80s.

Your biggest influence(s)
Bob Marley in music and life.

Biggest achievements
Being one half of UK garage production outfit M-Dubs and making classic records like Over Here with Ritchie Dan and Bump 'n' Grind with Lady Saw which are clubland anthems to present date. I felt getting a Radio 1 show, the ultimate prize for DJs of my generation, was a big achievement of which I'm very proud as well.

Key tune that you love or inspired you
Musical Youth's 'Pass the Dutchie'. It's reggae and seeing that group perform inspired me to want to do something in the music biz.

What is your favourite lyric?
Bob Marley - 'who Jah bless, no man curse'. It's a lyric that comes to my mind in any situation in my life for better or worse and helps me see past the 'isms'.

What's your dream gig or collaboration?
Kinda got my dream gig with my Radio 1 One Music show. That was definitely a dream for me circa 10 years ago.

Interests / hobbies outside music
Football again!

Three rules you live your life by
1. Spirituality over religion.
2. Meditation.
3. Knowledge of self and love for all things always.

If God was a DJ, which DJ would it be??
The late, great DJ Swing. If a DJ has ever made me feel like "rah, I wish I'd done that" it was Swing. R.I.P the DJs' DJ.

If you weren't a DJ / Presenter, what would you be?
A plumber / electrician with painting and decorating skills! Dabbling in the property game, I've recognized those guys make all the dough.