Neil Martin · Beats, Business & Life

Beats

Why Massive Attack's 1991 cover of Be Thankful for What You've Got, from Blue Lines, is my track for a week of gratitude. Press play and count what you've got.

Be Thankful for What You’ve Got, and why the Massive Attack cover fits today

Why Massive Attack’s cover of Be Thankful for What You’ve Got, from Blue Lines, is my track for a week of gratitude, and what the title asks of you.

This Is Me (The Reimagined Remix) single artwork, The Greatest Showman: Reimagined

This Is Me (The Reimagined Remix), and why it starts with you

Beats, Track by Track

Two lines from Missy Elliott’s verse on This Is Me, the track I pick for quiet confidence, and why backing yourself starts with you.

Lovely Day (DJ Eleven Remix Do-Over): Bill Withers Meets Biz Markie

Beats, Track by Track

Bill Withers over Marley Marl’s beat for Biz Markie. You won’t find this DJ Eleven do-over on Spotify, so here are the two records behind it, and why I use it to close a set.

Sleeve of Yellowman Live at Reggae Sunsplash on a dark blue background

The tape from a friend’s dad that got me into reggae

Beats

A friend’s dad heard the hip hop I loved and handed me a Yellowman tape. Four records from my reggae crates, the stories behind them, and why the best music tips often come from the least likely person.

Pie N Mash single artwork by The Skinner Brothers

Pie N Mash by The Skinner Brothers: All My Favourite Music in One Band

Beats, Track by Track

Arctic Monkeys and The White Stripes crossed with The Specials, The Beat and a bit of The Prodigy. The Skinner Brothers tick every box for me, and Pie N Mash is the one I keep going back to.

Sleeve of Street Sounds Electro 6 on a dark blue background

Roxanne Shanté, a borrowed tape and the first rap beef I ever heard

Beats

In 1985 a ten-year-old me heard a tape at a birthday party and fell for a 14-year-old MC from Queensbridge. The story of Electro 6, Roxanne’s Revenge, and what answering back can do.

Sleeve of The Police single Can't Stand Losing You, a man standing on a block of ice

Can’t Stand Losing You, and the DJ who gave me the record

Beats, Track by Track

The first record I ever owned, I didn’t buy. A DJ at a family party gave it to me. Why that white 7-inch is still on my shelf, and what it taught a four-year-old about asking.

Track by Track: Morning

Beats, Track by Track

My own song this time. The story behind Morning, a Dust and Data love song about two cups and the start of a day, and why I think the little things matter most.

Illustration of a teenager's bedroom at night with twin turntables, a mixer, headphones and a crate of records under a warm desk lamp

Bedroom decks, 1987: where it all started

Beats

Where the DJing started. Years of learning to mix behind a shut bedroom door, then MCing at parties as a teenager. And yes, two records locking together still gives me a buzz.