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DJ Hyper- The buzz from DJing is incomparable

Author: Katie Elles
Monday, December 22, 2003
UK breakbeat DJ and producer Hyper (aka Guy Hatfield) is back in Australia this holiday season and he's brought a crate full of goodies with him. Fans can expect to hear loads of new material from Hyper's 'Kilowatt' label, along with exclusives from his next mix CD, due for release on 'Ministry Of Sound' mid next year.

Hyper is world renowned for his mix CDs, having compiled and mixed the 'Y3K' compilations on 'Distinctive Breaks', the first of which was hailed as the most important breaks album to date, making album of the month in 'DJ', 'Muzik', 'Mixmag', 'Wax' and 'Ministry' to name just a few.

In 2002 he took the breakbeat sound to a widening audience with the first in the 'Bedrock Breaks' series, which propelled his international success and sparked a tour across five continents. Earlier this year and much to the delight of fans he released the second volume entitled 'Bedrock Breaks 2: Fractured'.

For many 'Fractured' was an introduction to Hyper's production work as his tracks 'Catnip' and 'Slapper' feature on the album. More recently, he has been particularly busy on the production front and is currently collaborating with a variety of artists.

"I've been remixing Moguai, Pink (twice), Paul Van Dyk and am possibly going to mix Sarah McLaughlin. On top of this I have a new 12" coming out on Timo Maas' 4:20 label. The lead track is called the 'Outsider'."

When asked how performing live as a DJ compares to spending time in the studio producing, Hyper replies,

"They both have their plus points! The studio is obviously much more creative but the buzz from DJing is incomparable!"

Hyper has been enjoying the buzz he gets from DJing since the early 90's when he broke into the deep house free party scene in 1992. He soon grew tired of the growing commercialism surrounding the scene and turned his attention to breakbeat and hip hop in the fur fore of the 'Mo' Wax' scene of the early 90's.

After moving from his hometown of Lincoln to London, he began working for 'Sony' in their international European division. Determined to share his love of hip hop, electro and breaks with the world, Hyper set up his own club promotion company 'Waxworks', working with the 'Push' label, 'TCR' and artists such as Hybrid.

At the request of Lee Burridge, Hyper soon began DJing again at Lee's Sunday session at the 'Atlantis Bar'. This led to residencies at 'Tyrant nights' at 'The Bomb' in Nottingham, the 'Push' room at Digweed's 'Bedrock' night at 'Heaven', and at Hybrid's club night in Bristol. He continued running 'Waxworks' for a while before selling it to set up his own label 'Kilowatt' last year.

According to Hyper, 'Kilowatt' is doing, "Very well indeed. The current release is Terminalhead's 'Weekend Warrior' with a 'Bedrock' mix and then comes Dan F with 'Line Of Sight' with Aussie boys Infusion on the mix and then it's Hyper Vs General Midi 'We've Been Waiting'."

Until recently, 'Kilowatt' also co-ran the highly successful 'Twister' breaks night in London with Acetate Ltd, at 'Turnmills' but Hyper explains,

"We stopped that a little while ago, which was a shame coz it was doing really well! We did it together with another night called Roach who fell out with club management and we decided we should also knock it on the head!"

More recently, Hyper has been making regular visits to the US where he has a growing fan base.

"It's amazing really, I get to play some of the best clubs there and go to do a long weekend of gigs almost once a month now. 'Spundae' in LA is still my favourite club in the world! Next year I'm off on a two-month tour as support for the Crystal Method. One hell of a road trip with rock star coaches and the whole nine yards!"

Along with his international tours Hyper also has some permanent gigs around the world in Romania Sweden and in Asia but admits,

"It's harder and harder to hold these things down with so many other DJ commitments."

He has been out to<
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