DJ Donnie Durrant, a long time local DJ, thinks it is crucial to promote local music.

DJ Donnie has been spinning the records at various events around the Island for over ten years.

He is also a singer in his own right, and a DJ for Power 95.

"To me, it's very important to feature local artists," said DJ Donnie. "Local artists and producers work very hard on their material and it's only right as a DJ to help push out their product."

DJ Donnie can be heard on Power 95 every Thursday from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. with the "Culture Shock Reggae Explosion". It features Three The Hard Way (DJ Donnie, DJ Gibbo & Blacka) playing culture and easy listening reggae.

DJ Donnie said there were many Bermudians now involved in music production.

"There are studios here," he said. "Most of the artists just do it, and sell their music in Bermuda."

DJ Donnie said that while there aren't enough places for artists to play in Bermuda, his station, Power 95, does feature local artists from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

"The most popular local artists right now are Collie Buddz and there is another artist Troy Anthony.

"He is making some great music. He is a Christian reggae artist. It is all inspirational reggae."

He said his listeners also frequently request Roach Killa, C. Danger, Locked Tight and Ninja Cutty.

"The quality of local music definitely has come up over the years," DJ Donnie said.

His own vocal career started in 1991 with Firestone.

"In that era of sound clashing, not only did you have to have top selection and dubs, you had to have live entertainers (DJs and singers) to help you win that clash," he said.

In 2004, he had the opportunity to make an anthem 'Riding West With My Bullet Proof Vest' with Bermuda's top DJ Ninja Cutty.

"Only I can play the song," he said. "I did an original song featured on Power 95's Local Licks show called 'Just Cooling'. I sang that live at Cup Match the year before last."

He started as a solo DJ in the summer of 1998 playing at various night spots around the Island.

Today, he specialises in weddings, birthday parties, dancehall/hip hop bashments, proms and more.

"I've had the opportunity to play overseas and open up at major reggae and R&B concerts in Bermuda, most recently for The Temptations and The Manhattans," said DJ Donnie. "It was a good experience to be along side entertainers I used to hear my mom and pops bussin' out of their speakers."

He said a good DJ keeps the crowd hopping and stops them from getting bored.

"It can be overwhelming at times," he said. "But you have to do what you have to do to remain in this competitive field."

He has played for crowds with age groups ranging from eight-year-olds to 80-year-olds. The wide age range means it is crucial that he know the tastes of his audience.

"What I play depends on what I was hired for," he said. "If it is a children's party, I know what they like. Right now they are into Souljah Boy, a rap artist, and they like the reggae group rDX."

For a wedding reception for a couple in their 80s, he played classical hits.

"I don't mind when people have a certain request about what they want to hear at their party," he said. "But I mix it to please everyone at the wedding so it works out."

To be able to meet this wide range of tastes, a DJ has to have access to a lot of different music.

"If I sold all my CDs I could retire today," he said. "I have just over a thousand. You don't always take the whole collection with you. It depends on whatever kind of party you are doing. I have it categorised in my case.

"Being versatile has helped broaden my clientele," he said. "In this industry, you have to do your homework and give the people what ever they want to hear and it should keep your resume growing and growing."

He said his next goal will be to put out his own album, because singing is his first love.

For others thinking about going into the business, DJ Donnie advised perseverance.

"They have to make sure the quality is there and keep at it," he said. "Then you will get your break. It has to be something that the crowd can hook on to it, so I can play it."

He also said it was important to remember those who had helped him along.

"In this business you never forget where you came from, so I just want to big up those who helped DJ Donnie become one of Bermuda's top DJ's — Woody's Bar & Grill, Champions Night Club, Showtime/Club Malabar, Club Escape, Magnum Force, Bermynet.com, KingJyrus.net, Stardust Movements, J-Rodigun and of course Vybez Alliance for showing NUFF respect."

For more information about DJ Donnie, contact him at DJDonnie@hotmail.com.

Between his daytime career as Assistant Manager at Universal Electric, being father to two young daughters, Jaiden, nine months, and Shadae, 10 and being a DJ at Power 95, life can get a bit exhausting.

"I still have the love for DJing, but the singing has been put on the back burner," said DJ Donnie. "Since the birth of my baby daughter, Jaiden, studio time has been cut down," he said. In the future, he said he would like to go more into promotions and productions.

Culture Shock will be doing a show June 28 at the Somerset Cricket Club Field. Tickets are available from the People's Pharmacy and the Jamaican Grill.