By Mal Butler
A 16-year-old schoolboy has played a 1,000-minute DJ mix, at Department in Ryde, to raise funds for The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, and upgrades for the children’s ward at St Mary’s Hospital.
Jamie Robinson, who goes by the name Jamroki, has more than 100 supporters, but is aiming to be backed by 1,000 people and businesses at the end of his charity appeal. His latest challenge came as he approached 1,000 Instagram followers, when he pledged a 1,000-minute charity DJ set. With a bit of encouragement from Fish56Octagon, who became his 1,000th follower, he committed to the event.
Jamie said: “I started my set at 7.20am playing some chilled house, and Candi Staton’s ‘You Got The Love’. It was the only song I played twice, because I ended the session on it as well just after midnight. At around 6.30pm I went a bit heavier with the playlist. My friend, Fugo Kid, came in later in the evening to do some MCing and rapping, then I finished the night with some garage. It was a relief at the end as my legs ached and I was very tired. But I’ve been DJing since I was 10, and I enjoy getting a feel for what I should play next. So, while it was 16 hours and about 41-and-a-half minutes in total, 1001 minutes, I pretty
much enjoyed every minute of it.
“I am DJing at Northwood House alongside O Beach Billie Clements and DJ Omar later this month, and alongside Gordon Mac at Cowes Fringe, and I’m hoping to play at the Isle of Wight Festival again if that is possible. My hope is to find a way of bringing more light to what The Youth Trust does through these gigs as well.”
Jamie’s musical journey started early, picking up drumsticks at the age of three and getting serious about the drumming around eight. By the time he was 10, he’d also started DJ’ing. When lockdown hit, Jamie’s dad, Barrie, bought some Pioneer DJ decks, and, after recording a couple of videos, family friend, Katie Warburton of Rascal Raves, noticed his talent and offered him a slot at Camp Bestival.
This was Jamie’s first big festival gig, and it was a chance to do what he loves on a bigger stage, supported by Rascal Raves’ DJ AB. Jamie DJed the Bollywood Tent and also got to play the closing set at the Greatest Tent on Earth.
Every year Jamie has done a little bit more. Last year, he DJed at the Isle of Wight Festival, Victorious, Kendal Calling, and Notting Hill Carnival among others.
You can support Jamie via iw.observer/jamroki.
Isle of Wight Observer