Monki - FABRICLIVE 81

Whilst many DJs serve their apprenticeships in small clubs before breaking through to the wider consciousness, Monki (born Lucy Monkman) made her name through the radio airwaves. She spent her teenage years tuning into the pirate stations of her native London and the specialist shows of national broadcaster BBC Radio 1, where she now holds an esteemed position, having graduated through local radio and online stations, including a 3-year stint on Rinse FM. Securing her first major gig in 2009 thanks to her mentor and fellow Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, her rise has accelerated to playing worldwide club and festival gigs, as well as hosting regular ‘Monki & Friends’ nights at fabric. She releases an annual compilation EP under the same banner, and heads up the Zoo Music imprint, carrying through her support of upcoming artists through from her radio and club shows to a more curatorial role.

"I bought a lot of the FABRICLIVE CDs, Toddla T’s one was playing in my car all the time as a yout. FABRICLIVE 81 definitely represents my style, high energy with some breaks in there to catch your breath. Everything has a groove." Monki

Bookended by old school classics from FPI Project and Golden Girls, FABRICLIVE 81 mixes up bass-led exclusives by Mella Dee and Bot & Tony Quattro with tried-and-tested club smashers from DJ Technic and Robert Hood’s Floorplan project. Whilst the likes of DJ Haus and Danny Daze & 214 add a house flavour to the mix, Monki has also drafted Manchester’s Chimpo and Birmingham’s Slick Don to turn in vocal dubs over tracks by Melé and Gage respectively, transforming them from skeletal grime riddims into firing MC specials, and further infusing FABRICLIVE 81 with the effervescent energy of her club performances and radio shows.