Jaguar is the DJ bringing new British dance music to the masses
Ahead of False Idols this weekend, the DJ tells us about listening to 60 new tracks a week and doing it for the hunnies Text by Dazed Club member Tara Okeke
To say that Jaguar puts in the work would be an understatement. Since 2020, the DJ has hosted BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Dance, steering listeners through the tumult of a world spun off its axis with her trademark bass-forward blends. Jaguar’s now added to that work with the cross-disciplinary community platform UTOPIA, comprising a record label, podcast and, now, club nights – and her advocacy organisation, The Jaguar Foundation. Both projects “spawned out of lockdown”, she tells Dazed, offered new ways to connect with audiences and “give back” to artists, as well as opportunities to further her radio show’s raison d'être of championing those on the come-up.
“It was a big undertaking,” Jaguar recalls when we meet over Zoom – the day a muted grey, but the DJ looking luminous in magenta and white. She’s just returned from performing live sets across South-East Asia, an unthinkable experience a few short years ago. With UTOPIA – an ever-evolving fantasia, rooted in “the perfect moment” and indebted to the freedom to be found at the DJ’s beloved queer parties – Jaguar speaks of the self-fulfilment that has come from “making it up as [she goes] along” and “working with a team of people that [she] loves, respects and trusts”.
Meanwhile, with the Foundation, Jaguar cites its inaugural report, the 84-page Progressing Gender Representation in UK Dance Music, published last summer, as a point of pride. With “data that had [previously] never been formally recorded” about the state of play in live music for marginalised genders, as well as vital recommendations for both individuals and organisations – Jaguar credits the “brilliant people” who shared their experiences and expertise with her for the report’s very existence. Even one of the report’s initial detractors, who upon its publication, took to sending the DJ “paragraphs and paragraphs” of invective – gets a shout-out during our call: after actually reading the report, he apologised unreservedly. “So, that was a win,” Jaguar laughs.
Ahead of playing at False Idols at Drumsheds this weekend – “I'm going to pull out all the stops for that one, for sure”’ – Jaguar speaks with Dazed Clubber Tara Okeke about stanning The Veronicas, being a certified tastemaker, and how she has made connecting with people through music her life’s work.
You can get 30 per cent off False Idols tickets with Dazed Club here.
Hey Jaguar! You’ve recently returned from your first tour of Southeast Asia! Can you share something – musical, cultural or otherwise – you experienced on this tour that has stuck with or surprised you?
Jaguar: I suppose I was astounded by – because I play quite bass-heavy stuff, with some drill mixes, garage, techno, and house – how much people loved the UK stuff, particularly garage and speed garage. I always get nervous playing internationally, but the reception was incredible. So, for me, it really cemented just how at the forefront UK [dance] music is and – as someone who likes to fly the flag for this music – that was really incredible.
What drew you to dance music?
Jaguar: Growing up, I predominately listened to noughties pop and anything my older brother had on his iPod – so, that would’ve been Timberland, Kanye, or Eminem. And, I guess, the early dance stuff I would’ve listened to would’ve been some Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim, and then all the 00s trance classics. But, as a teenager, a gateway [dance music] artist for me would have been someone like Grimes and hearing [her 2012 single] ‘Genesis’ for the first time. And, then, [going to] uni: that’s when I started going to clubs for the music and being like, ‘wait, what’s this song?’ or ‘I want to play this [song] on my student radio show that four people listen to, if I’m lucky’. So, the deep love of all music was always there and, then, it refined into dance music as a teenager onwards.
Describe your student radio days in three words.
My self-discovery.
What’s the difference in your approach to building a playlist for and playing a set on your radio show in comparison to DJing at club nights and parties, like False Idols?
Jaguar: I approach DJing and radio differently, but there is a lot of overlap just by default. For my radio show, we probably get sent about 500 tracks a week [via the BBC Introducing uploader] so I’m downloading maybe 60 tracks a week, maybe more. And, naturally, the stuff I’m really into I’ll put in my playlists for my DJ sets. But then, my DJ sets are also dependent on the crowd, the vibe, what mood I’m in that day – so, in the end, they’ll be more of a melting pot of my overall influences. Whereas the radio show has a [defined] brief, which is: new and emerging, UK dance music. Some records work better on the radio, too: I’ll play more chilled stuff, or ambient, or neo-classical, or super heavy stuff [on there]. And that might not be my taste for DJ set but, as a tastemaker, I’ll reflect that on the radio.
Who are you most looking forward to catching at False Idols?
Jaguar: Off the top of my head: obviously, the Sugababes. I went to their O2 show a couple of months ago and the fact that they can sell out the O2 in 2023 is just the most amazing thing ever – and it’s the OG three [Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan], too! So much love for them, honestly. I also love that they’re kind of dance-adjacent now.
Speaking of idols – growing up, who were yours and why?
Jaguar: If anyone knows me personally, they would know that I’ve been obsessed with The Veronicas since 2009. At school, everyone was obsessed with Justin Bieber and I was obsessed with The Veronicas, which just sums me up! I think it comes down to me being an angsty teenager, me realising I was gay – one of The Veronicas [Jessica] is queer – and them being incredible. They’ve done so much for the LGBTQ+ community in Australia, as well. But, I think the reason I loved them so much was – through them – I found a bit of a community when I was trying to accept myself.
If you were queen for the day, what would be your first royal decree?
Jaguar: Equality for all.
Your Instagram bio reads, ‘I play 4 the hunnies’, which I love as a statement of intent in life, in art – in all things, really. As a culture, I think we’re pretty clear on what a hun is but hunnies are still waiting for their moment to shine. How would you define a hunny?
Jaguar: I feel like anyone who identifies as a hunny is who I’m playing for. So it could be anyone but in general, it’s the girls, the gays, the theys, the queers, the open-minded and the empathetic, understanding, silly, wonderful souls. That’s who hunnies are and if you identify as one, then, let’s hang out! Let’s have a dance.
Who are some emerging DJ talents you’re loving and can’t wait to hear more from?
Jaguar: I would say DRIIA, GHSTGHSTGHST, Paige Eliza, Jasper Tygner, Tailor Jae, Silva Bumpa, Skeptic, Oppidan… There’s so many. If anyone wants to hear any more, just listen to my radio show!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
And what’s the best piece of advice you’d give to someone else?
Jaguar: Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and do make up your own rules.
What are your top three, could-not-live-without, desert island dance tracks?
Jaguar: The Veronicas ‘Untouched (D&B Bootleg)’, Bicep ‘Opal (Four Tet Remix)’ and Azealia Banks ‘Fierce’.
What’s one thing you could definitely live without?
Jaguar: The patriarchy.
Ghanaian jollof or Nigerian jollof? No, just kidding – I don’t want to start a jollof war! That said, do you have a favourite Ghanaian or West African dish?
Jaguar: I love stews. When I go to my auntie’s house, she’ll make jollof, some kind of stew, plantain: just everything hearty and lovely.
Describe your vision of utopia in three words.
Jaguar: Colourful, togetherness, free.
