The Music Maker
As DJ Keith ‘KCC’ Franklin prepares to spin his decks at Carnival, Natasha Paulini catches up with him
Above: DJ KCC in action...
Grove: How did you come to be a DJ?
DJ KCC: I was just buying loads of records in school and people started to ask me to bring them to their birthday parties. It was by accident, rather than design, but I always knew I was good at it.
Grove: Why did you get involved in Carnival?
DJ KCC: My first ever Notting Hill carnival was in 1991. I was just 10 years old and inspired by The Jah Shaka sound system on Acklam Road. From that moment, I dreamt about playing music in front of an audience.
Grove: What is it about Carnival that you love?
DJ KCC: The way that it brings all types of people together and the cosmopolitan mix it creates. For me, it’s London at its best, and you can see that just by the smiles on people’s faces. Carnival is for everyone.
Grove: What’s been your craziest Carnival experience?
DJ KCC: One year, while one of the biggest songs was playing, a big thunderstorm broke out. We decided to switch the music off for a while, just until the rain eased off, but the crowd wasn’t having any of it and determinedly kept on dancing. The next thing we knew, a rainbow appeared and everyone started going crazy!
Grove: What are you looking forward to this year?
DJ KCC: Just being able to play music on the street – it has a unique feel and creates a completely different sound than you would hear in a club or at a festival. It’ll also be a real buzz to play in the Naked Juice VIP area as there’s always a great atmosphere there.
Grove: Where is there a decent toilet during carnival???
DJ KCC: Try making an arrangement with one of the locals if you know anyone in the area. Whatever happens, plan it before it’s too late…
Grove: What do you like about Notting Hill?
DJ KCC: I love the cultural diversity; the cafe and restaurant culture; the shops; and the fact that you’re close to a number of parks.
Grove: Top five hits on your iPod?
DJ KCC: 1. Groove Armada Ft Angie Stone, Feel The Same; 2. Ralf Gum Ft Monique Bingham, Kissing Strangers; 3. Mike Dunn Ft Ron Carroll, I Know I Know; 4. Comfort Class, Promised Land; 5. Bernard Badie Ft Dajae, Truth Hurts
Grove: What up-and-coming talent do you have your eye on?
DJ KCC: I’ve been recently working with a musician called Adriano Rossetti-Bonell. He brings something new and fresh to the house scene: a mix of retro, jazz, classical and hip hop all laid on top of a house beat.
Grove: Where else can we find you this year?
DJ KCC: Uptown Boogiedown at the Notting Hill Arts Club on Sunday 24 August – a special guest appearance alongside local star, DJ Jafar.
Grove: Favourite dance move behind the deck?
DJ KCC: Leaping up and down like a mad man. Sometimes so hard, the needle skips off the record!
Grove: Favourite dance move in front?
DJ KCC: As long as people are expressing themselves to the music I’m playing, it’s all good. I do sometimes wonder what beat some people are dancing to, though…
For your chance to win one of 50 pairs of tickets to see DJKCC live at the Naked Juice VIP bar, click here or write to us at DJKCC prize draw, Archant Life, 5th floor, Avon House, Avonmore Road, London W14 8TS