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Kid Kenobi
There's no disputing the transient nature of the DJ: many hopefuls come and go, but few actually remain. You could attribute this to one of many vague criticisms of the dance scene, but the truth is DJs who quickly and quietly sink into obscurity just don't have what it takes. When the lights go on, the job isn't all guestlists and groupies and not many people love the job that much to persevere.
Jesse Desenberg does. It's been over a decade now since he's been DJing as Kid Kenobi and during this time his contributions to the Australian dance scene can be matched by few of his peers. A quick look at his rap sheet shows he was voted Number 1 DJ in the Technics InTheMix Top 50 three years in a row; he's chalked up so many mix CDs for Ministry of Sound Australia special sessions series for him (he's still the only Australian DJ to have a compilation named after him), and he's even got a Dance Music Award under his belt for his remix of Green Velvet's "La La Land". Most people don't achieve so much in a lifetime, but for Kid Kenobi this is still the beginning.
He's also been growing out of the DJ tag with long hours in the production seat. The last 12 months have seen him remix Krafty Kuts' "Tell Me How You Feel" (with Rogue Element), "Out The Door" by Who Made Who (with Hook n Sling) and White Rose Movement's "Love Is A Number". His first original release, "The Bump" (with Hook n Sling, signed to Hussle in Australia), scored him a nomination for 'Best Dance Release' from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) – the premier representing body of the Australian music charts.
While Kid Kenobi the artist is adored by fans and respected by fellow DJs, Jesse himself is loved by everyone. Despite his high profile and commercial success, he's the last person to buy into his own hype and the first person to hang out after the gig for a beer and a chat. It's not false modesty – like most great DJs, he really does do it for the love. You could even liken him to the Freestylers, the Plump DJ's, Krafty Kuts and Fat Boy Slim, who are incidentally some of his biggest fans.
Last year was a series of highs for Jesse with his remix of Dan Le Sac's "Thou Shalt Always Kill" (under the JFKK moniker with Jono Fernandez) hitting #1 in the ARIA club chart, being voted #3 in the inthemix Top 50 for 'Best Australian Producer', and the release of his 7th Ministry of Sound collaboration, "Kid Kenobi Sessions".
The last couple of years have taken him around the world. From Brazil to Canada to London to Cologne to Shanghai to Paris to San Francisco, the more he travels, the better he gets, the more he gets booked, the more he travels and so on. His popularity just continues to snowball. 2008 sees Jesse embarking on nailing a new challenge: production. If 2007 is anything to go by it looks set to be a period of his career one that may end up rivaling his lists of achievements as a DJ. So if he comes to your town in '08, make sure you don't miss him. It might be a while before he has the chance to come back.
McShureshock
You know when MC Shureshock in is the house. With total command over the mic, its nothing for him to get a room full of people hanging on his every word. Unflappable as an MC, he always knows exactly what to say.
A professional MC since 1990, Shureshock aka Cameron James Brown has MCed to practically any genre of music you care to mention. Hes rocked hardcore scenes, drum n bass nights, hip hop jams, house parties, live bands and so much more. Having worked it as the front man for new wave Aussie collective Zephyr Timbre, Shureshocks no stranger to working with a full band, either. Working the festival scene, Zephyr Timbre is probably most well-known for its support of Jamiroquai on his 2002 tour. Nowadays, however, its breakbeat thats getting the Shureshock touch.
Part of a formidable team with Australias ..1 DJ, Kid Kenobi, Shureshock has taken his MCing on tours through Europe twice. His inimitable style translates not only across genres but across cultures, with Asian tours in 2005 adding to the extensive list of international dates for the self-styled MC. Its impossible to pinpoint exactly what it is about Shureshock thats so pleasing to the ear. Perhaps its his ability to flit from genre to genre so seamlessly. Perhaps its the experience hes accrued as both an MC and as a writer. Maybe its how he can go from a shout to a whisper to a song within a heartbeat. Or maybe its just his flow smooth and smart and a different breed entirely to that of your run-of-the-mill hollering hype-man.
Whatever it is, Shureshocks style has won him not only thousands of fans but a worldwide first. Shureshock is the only MC to appear on a Ministry of Sound compilation ever! MCing alongside Kid Kenobi on the Clubbers Guide to Breaks the pair are as dynamic on disc as they are on the dancefloor, bringing the standard of mix compilations to a whole other level. Called upon for collaboration by both Australian and international artists, Shureshock has worked with a stellar cast of musicians. From BeXta, DB Chills, Greg Packer, to big wigs Fat Boy Slim, Krafty Kuts, The Stanton Warriors, Goldie, Freq Nasty & The Crystal Method, his talents are in no way bound by genre or border.
Be prepared to hear a lot more Shureshock, both as a live MC and a recording artist. His years of performing and perfecting have moulded an innovative, intelligent artist one who, for all his achievements, is yet to reach the prime of his career.
Lady Waks (Russia)
Lady Waks is a DJ, Promoter, Producer, Artist, Designer and all round modern media phenomenon. Since 1999, she has been pushing breakbeat through the various club nights, parties & festivals she organizes in St. Petersburg and all over Russia. Waks got her big break on the airwaves in 99 when she was asked by "Re-Cord", a St. Petersburg Radio station, to host their Hip-Hop show. She did this for a year and in 2000 focused her energies into promoting. Out of this was born 'In Beats We Trust', (ibwt.ru) which was voted as one of the best club night in 2004 by TimeOut Magazine. Nearly every big name breaks DJ in the world has played at and love's IBWT. Waks even managed to secure two international residents for the night, Atomic Hooligan & Jay Cunning to play at each event. With the success of the club night, 2005 saw Waks start the first Breakbeat only festival in the world, Breaks Arena (breaksarena.com) which see's over 3000 people joining her and the huge line up at each party. Breaks Area remains the biggest Breakbeat festival in the world and has been nominated at this year's Breakspoll in the 'Best Large Event' category. As a DJ, Waks has played all over the world and still holds down a residency at The Tunnel in St. Petersburg. She was hand picked to play on the Electric Kingdon Tour with Westbam and Hardy Hard and has not stopped since. With dates at Miami Music Conference, Germany, Brazil, London and a whole host of festival you will no doubt be catching a set at a club near you. Waks is also up for 'Best Break through Dj' at Breakspoll. It doesn't stop there for Lady Waks as her production, with studio partner Hardy Hard, is getting recognised through-out the dance music world. First up was the release on West Records 'Listen' which got huge support from the breakbeat scene. Then came along 'Minimal': a controversial vocal with a slamming track to boot which Menu Music (www.menumusic.com) snapped up in a second. This was by far one of the biggest tracks of 2007 and it has just received a nomination for 'Best Single' at the 2007 Breakspoll Awards. With three Breakspoll nominations, the biggest Breakbeat festival in the world, a line up of Dj dates and huge productions, 2008 is going to be the year for Lady Waks
she is playing saturday? 
