WHO’S THE DJ?
Meet one of our Subjam DJs:
For Hercules, DJing has never really been a hobby. Music has been part of his life from the very beginning, and after stepping away from the decks for a number of years, he’s returned with a level of focus that makes one thing very clear — he isn’t here just to take part.
Now living in Bedford after growing up in Luton, Hercules’ week revolves heavily around music. Monday to Wednesday is spent preparing for gigs and making music. Thursday and Friday are for buying and discovering new tracks, while Friday and Saturday are usually taken up with gigs.
Sunday?
“Silence.”
Away from the decks, he runs, cycles, cooks, gets his 10,000 steps in and — perhaps unsurprisingly — still spends a lot of time thinking about music. He also plays guitar and has a keen interest in music theory and sound design.
Music runs particularly deep in his family. His father and cousin are both successful session musicians who have worked alongside some of the biggest artists in the industry, meaning Hercules grew up around musicians, touring and the realities of life on stage.
“My dad has been a touring musician all my life. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a lot of places and meet some really cool people who’ve given me valuable insight.
“Knowing my family has been on stage in front of hundreds of thousands of people makes me think it’s possible for me too.”
He was even something of a child prodigy on the piano, playing for around 15 years and learning to sight-read music before eventually moving towards guitar and DJing.
FROM STEVIE WONDER TO EMINEM
Hercules’ musical upbringing was broad.
At home, the soundtrack included the likes of Mint Condition, Stevie Wonder and Nile Rodgers.
Then came the rebellion.
“I went from the soulful stuff into The Marshall Mathers LP, Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine.”
His introduction to Garage wasn’t exactly love at first listen either.
“At school, somebody played Sweet Like Chocolate and I hated it. I didn’t understand House music either — I just called all of it Dance. The lack of claps and snares irritated me.”
Then one record changed everything.
Roy Davis Jr. – Gabrielle.
“I was hooked. I’ve bought that record on vinyl more than ten times. Before every night out or gig, that would be the tune.”
HEARING EZ CHANGED EVERYTHING
If there is one DJ who had the biggest impact on Hercules, it is DJ EZ.
“Hearing EZ live and knowing every other DJ I’d heard in clubs wasn't on the same level made me want to DJ. Nobody has come anywhere near that for me.”
Hercules became a student of the craft.
He would sit in his car listening to EZ on KISS FM, studying mix points, phrasing and techniques.
“I’m a nerd. I used to park up in random locations and study EZ on KISS FM — the mix-in points, phrasing, techniques being used. I always thought he was the best, and I figured that if I could copy that skill set, I wouldn’t be far off.”
Other early influences included Rossi B & Luca for their tricks and variety, while Fonti was one of the first DJs Hercules remembers hearing successfully play an open-format style.
His first decks, however, were slightly less glamorous.
“Some awful Numark belt-drive things.”
THE 15-YEAR-OLD CLUB DJ
Hercules was only 15 when he found himself playing his first over-18s club.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
One of his earliest club stories perfectly sums up the confidence that would later become part of his DJ style.
“I walked into a club with some vinyl when it opened. I didn’t have a booking.
“When the promoter came in, he started complaining — but I pointed at the dancefloor.
“I became a resident on the spot.”
There was just one piece of feedback from the promoter.
“He told me I needed to play more for the women.”
His first proper opportunity came through the local record shop where he was spending virtually all his wages.
“I was earning about £150 a week working at Toys R Us and spending the whole lot on vinyl at my local record shop.
“The owner eventually told me to jump on during his set and it went really well.”
That period also helped create the Hercules DJ style.
“A lot of my ‘all gas, no brakes’ style came from only having 45 to 60 minutes to do my thing.
“Burning through a set and using tricks really made me stand out.”
SIDEWINDER, GARAGE NATION AND THE UNDERGROUND
Growing up through the Garage era meant attending events such as Sidewinder and Garage Nation — with Hercules collecting recordings of virtually every event he attended.
But there were plenty of underground moments too.
One particularly memorable night came at a venue called Cabana.
“At the end of my set, DEE, Kano, Ghetto and others had grabbed the mic.
“There’s footage somewhere online of the place absolutely going wild.”
Those moments built a reputation long before Instagram, TikTok and followers became part of a DJ’s career.
“Pre-social media, people would shout ‘Hercules!’ at me in the street.
“That was when I knew people were recognising what I was doing.”
WALKING AWAY FROM DJING
Hercules DJed full-time between 1999 and 2008.
Then he stopped.
“I quit when Garage got stale and I was constantly being asked to play Bashment.”
He moved into corporate life and remained away from DJing for years.
Looking back, it is the biggest sacrifice he feels he made.
“I thought I needed a corporate job and quit DJing just before the social-media boom.
“People who were my peers are now all over the events I would love to be doing.”
That experience partly explains the intensity and focus Hercules brings to his career today.
“That’s probably why I sometimes come across as intense or hyper-focused on DJing.
“I’m not here to take part.”
THE COMEBACK
In 2024, Hercules returned.
And this time he has no intention of disappearing again.
“I came back in 2024. I will not quit again.”
The comeback has quickly gathered momentum.
His recent highlights include repeat corporate bookings connected with BBC Strictly Come Dancing, DJing on Channel 4, and being asked to tour with Harvey from So Solid Crew.
He has also performed to crowds of around 2,500 people in London.
Asked to name his favourite event, though, Hercules doesn’t look backwards.
“It’s always the next one.
“The minute I’m off stage, I’m thinking about where I’m playing next.”
That momentum recently gave him enough confidence to make another major decision — leaving his job to concentrate on music.
“I quit my job recently because I’m booked months in advance and things are snowballing towards bigger opportunities.”
For someone who says he knew at 15 that he was a DJ, it feels less like a career change and more like a return to where he was always supposed to be.
FINDING SUBJAM
Subjam became part of that comeback at exactly the right time.
“I’d just come out of retirement and wanted to grow my skills and my network.
“I was on an online-only station and was told something big was coming. I was genuinely intimidated by the news!”
It didn’t take long for Hercules to understand what was being built.
“But I quickly saw the vision.”
He originally started on Subjam Thursdays from 4pm until 6pm.
There was only one problem.
“I was actually supposed to be at work!
“I lied to get on there.”
Thankfully, the situation was eventually solved and Hercules was moved to his current Friday 6pm–8pm slot.
What really drew him in, though, was the station’s history.
“When I heard about guys like Majestic, SKT, Delinquent, Kie, Marcus Nasty, EZ and others being part of the original days, I knew it had pedigree.”
EVERY WEEK IS DIFFERENT
Part of what Hercules enjoys most about his Subjam show is the freedom.
“I can play a variety of music and I’m not told what to do.”
That freedom means listeners are never entirely sure what direction the show might take.
“Every week is different. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not yet!
“But I’ve got thousands of songs I want to share, so why not dedicate one week to UKG? One to Deep House? One to a guest? Or one to me just going crazy?”
The only thing Hercules usually plans is the opening track.
After that, anything can happen.
“Randomness.
“I don’t plan a set. I only know what I’m going to start with.
“It often goes in crazy directions, or it follows requests and interaction with the listeners.”
That lack of restriction fits naturally with his wider DJ style — spontaneous, energetic and focused on what feels right in the moment.
WHAT MAKES SUBJAM DIFFERENT?
For Hercules, Subjam’s strength is the quality and variety of the DJs on the station.
“It’s not cheesy.
“There are some proper DJs playing quality music, and everybody has very different styles.”
He is also quick to point listeners towards other DJs across the station.
“When I speak to listeners and they tell me they like a certain sound, I’m always telling them who else they should check out.”
It is that mix of styles, personalities and musical backgrounds that Hercules believes gives Subjam its identity.
And he sees the station becoming something much bigger.
“It feels like it will grow to a point where we’ll be a major player in the scenes.
“With the Simply Garage and House Of Jam sub-brands, it’s definitely going in the right direction.”
HONOURING PINTSIZE
Asked to name his favourite Subjam moment so far, Hercules chooses something far more personal than a big booking or standout show.
“Honouring Pintsize with Solution recently felt like a really nice way to send him off.”
The show was an emotional one.
“I’m a terrible host and the emotions were high, but I feel like he would have appreciated what we did.
“RIP.”
It is a moment that clearly meant a lot and one that showed another side of what being part of a radio station can mean — not just music, but friendships, memories and community.
WHO WOULD HERCULES GO B2B WITH?
With so many different DJs on the Subjam roster, Hercules admits there are plenty he rates highly.
“There are loads of guys I think are brilliant and exceptional in their own right — DTM and Solution, for instance.”
But one name stands out.
“Shortz.
“His hosting, technical ability, radio presence and anecdotes are top level.”
There is, however, one request attached.
“Bring back D&B for the B2B.”
TAKING THE SHOW AROUND THE WORLD
If Hercules could take his Subjam show anywhere in the world, he already has something very specific in mind.
“One thing on my bucket list is to play some of my future releases on Cercle.
“Just DJing in some random iconic location would be chef’s kiss for me.”
It fits perfectly with somebody who doesn’t seem particularly interested in standing still.
NO SET LIST. NO BRAKES.
Hercules rarely plans his DJ sets.
That unpredictability is part of what keeps things exciting.
“I think most of my sets are perfect for my level. I rarely make mistakes.
“I don't enjoy every set though — maybe that's because I don't plan anything.”
His biggest challenge in the modern DJ world isn’t mixing or finding music.
It’s social media.
“There are DJs getting top bookings and I haven't even seen or heard them mix.”
Having come through an era where reputation was largely built in record shops, clubs and on radio, adjusting to a world of content, algorithms and follower counts has been one of the harder parts of the comeback.
OPENING THE DOOR FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
When asked who helped him most during the early days, Hercules gives a surprisingly simple answer.
“Nobody, sadly.”
There were people who offered opportunities, but he believes those opportunities came because he had already earned them through skill and reputation.
That experience has influenced how he treats people entering the industry today.
“I have an open-door policy for up-and-coming DJs, singers and artists.
“If you're cool and you approach me, there’s a good chance I’ll invite you onto my show and just vibe with you.”
It’s a chance to give newer artists something he feels wasn’t always available to him.
THE LESSONS
One of Hercules’ biggest regrets surrounds his record collection.
“Treasure everything you spend money on.
“I had thousands of vinyl records that I left without sleeves. Some might be able to be rescued, but it’s a bit sad.”
And then there were the decks.
“I sold my Technics for next to nothing.
“Idiot.”
But perhaps the biggest lesson comes from stepping away from DJing altogether.
If Hercules could sit down with the 15-year-old version of himself — the teenager carrying vinyl into clubs he wasn't technically old enough to enter — his message would be simple.
“You quit for a reason, but you're back for more.
“This is your vocation.
“Don't be so hard on yourself.”
And listening to Hercules talk about music, gigs, Subjam and what comes next, you get the feeling he's making up for lost time.
The corporate career is gone.
The diary is filling months in advance.
The records are being bought again.
Friday evenings belong to Subjam.
And Hercules is back where he believes he belongs.
Behind the decks.
This time, he isn’t going anywhere.....
