Innovative workshops for young people & adults in urban London

 

Promo Video

Click here to see our latest promotional video, filmed and edited by JAO!

About Us

The British DJ & MC Academy is a youth arts organisation based in North London.

In 2008, Krissy founded the DJ&MC Academy, driven by a passion to connect people through music. Pioneering a revolutionary mobile outreach van, she brought the rhythm directly to communities. In 2010, Krissy's appearance on Dragons Den became a platform to showcase her unwavering determination, setting the stage for sustained success.

Over 12 years, the academy has touched the lives of 100,000+ individuals across London, Wales, and Manchester. Through economic challenges and pandemic lockdowns, Krissy's journey from a teenage DJ to a youth hostel manager reflects her commitment to positive impact.

Krissy's global DJ career includes commanding sets from Miami to Ibiza and a decade at Kool FM. The academy's team, including former participants turned tutors, plays a pivotal role in its success. Beyond outreach projects, the academy excels in community events, cultivating a talented pool of DJs, producers, and artists.

Re-established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2019, the academy secured funding, including support from Sadiq Khan's violence reduction project. Achievements extend to establishing radio stations, building studios, and nurturing artists under the Sonitus Music Group label. Notably, our artists have earned MOBO nominations, Sony ATV contracts, and over 100 million streams on mainstream radio.


The DJ&MC Academy stands as a testament to Krissy's vision and the transformative power of music.

Music unquestionably connects people from all walks of life. The work we do continues to leverage this virtue, delivering programmes to some of the most deprived parts of our city.
 
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Meet the Team

 

Krissy
CEO
 

Christian
Managing Director
 

Maldi
Radio Presenter & Sound Engineer
 

Grace
Singing Tutor
 

Kareem
DJ, Producer & Mentor
 

Keon
DJ & Radio Presenter
 

Irish
Young Ambassador
 

DJ E Dott
DJ, Radio Presenter & Producer
 

Mariah
DJ, Radio Presenter & Tutor
 

Olona
Rapper & Producer
 

Will
Dancer
 

Bradley
DJ Tutor
 

Enzo
DJ Tutor
 

Oskar
DJ, Music Production & Presenting Tutor
 

Nathaniel
Lyricist & Production Tutor
 

Jay
Podcast & Music Project Assistant
 

Tilly
Volunteer
 

Dre
Young Ambassador
 

Kiki
Young Ambassador
 

Terence
Young Ambassador
 

Emmanuel
Young Ambassador
 

Amy
Young Ambassador & Singer
 

Aaliyah
Young Ambassador & DJ

Case Studies

To name just a few young people who have come through the Academy and are now inspiring artists and tutors alike.


 

FKA Twigs

Tahliah Debrett Barnett, known by her stage name FKA Twigs, is a multifaceted British artist renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to music, dance, and fashion. Before captivating global audiences with her genre-bending soundscapes and avant-garde performances, Twigs honed her craft as a dance tutor at The DJMC Academy in 2011.

From those formative years, she emerged as a trailblazing singer-songwriter, dancer, and visual artist, captivating audiences worldwide with her unique blend of electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde influences. Twigs' meteoric rise to prominence includes critically acclaimed albums such as LP1 and Magdalene, along with her recent mix-tape, Caprisongs, released under Atlantic Records. With a Grammy nomination, numerous accolades, and a groundbreaking NME Godlike Genius award to her name, FKA Twigs continues to push artistic boundaries and inspire generations with her unparalleled creativity and visionary approach to artistry.

 


What People Say

The DJ Workshop was fun and exciting! We got to learn new things as well as how a radio show would operate. We had fun and are grateful to have had them come in.
 
RP (pupil), Fern House School
Turning Words Into Dreams was one of the most popular courses making up GLYPT's Summer Arts College in 2010. I was really impressed with the quality and skill of the artists delivering the programme
 
Claire Newby, Education Manager, Greenwich & Lewisham Young People's Theatre
The tutors have been really welcoming and have developed an excellent rapport with the students. Even when the singers were behaving like 'divas', their patience, professionalism and pedagogy was apt for the students. I look forward to working with the DJ & MC Academy again...
 
Kieran West, Northumberland Secondary School
A big thank you to you and your team for Saturday, should we decide to hold any other events in the future and would be more than happy to use the Bass Station once again.
 
Jason Fleming, Local Assemblies Co-ordinator, Catford Community Services
British DJ & MC Academy ran a brilliant workshop on using music to tackle street crime at an event we put on in November 08. The facilitators related really well to the young people. The workshop itself was really engaging and fun and the young people absolutely loved it!
 
Rachel Segal Hamilton, Events and Marketing Coordinator, Envision

Click here to read more Testimonials.

Partners

Click here to see a complete list of our partners and clients.