DJ Semtex

DJ Semtex
DJ Semtex at the 2009 Ilosaarirock festival.
Background information
Born	Manchester, England
Genres	Hip Hop, Grime
Occupation(s)	DJ, presenter, A&R, Marketing consultant
Labels	Def Jam UK, Semtex Media
Associated acts	Dizzee Rascal, Sway DaSafo, Mr Hudson, Akon, Kanye West
Website	www.djsemtex.com

DJ Semtex (born 1974 as John Fairbanks) is an English disc jockey and presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra digital radio station, presenting the flagship hip-hop show, Friday nights from 22:00-01:00.

DJ Semtex was born in Manchester as John Fairbanks.

DJ Semtex is notable for having one arm after contracting Lymphangioma and undergoing amputation as a sixteen year old. Semtex began his career in the music industry in 1992, hosting weekly pirate radio shows in Manchester and performing at clubs such as the Haçienda and Home. During this time he also DJed for De la Soul when they performed in Manchester, and hosted Wyclef’s Carnival afterparty in London. He also produced hip-hop mixes for BBC Radio 1’s Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood and various DJs on Galaxy FM between 1996 and 1998.

His proficiency at producing and distributing hip-hop mixtapes internationally led to Semtex being commissioned to produce promotional mixtapes for major labels such as Sony, Universal, Loud Records, and Def Jam Recordings.

After completing his degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, Semtex moved to London, and was employed by Sony Music to set up their Street Team in 1998.

Moving to London helped Semtex to become one of the UK’s premier hip-hop deejays and in subsequent years he helped organising a Lauryn Hill after party, DJd on the MTV float at Notting Hill Carnival, and opened shows for Dead Prez, Wyclef, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and Asher Roth, among others.