DJ Spoony says BEM ‘means as much for our community as it does for me’
DJ Spoony has dedicated the British Empire Medal (BEM) to the community and his late mother, who taught him to express himself and “give me rhythm.”
DJ and presenter, 52 years old, real name Johnathan Joseph, has been recognized for his charitable activities through music during the Covid-19 pandemic.
DJ Spoony hosts a regular show on BBC Radio 2 and is a presenter for the English Premier League, but first made a name for himself as a DJ on pirate radio stations in the 1990s.
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DJ Spoony (Steven Paston/PA)
During the pandemic, DJ Spoony regularly hosts live streams, even several times a week, using his devices at home to play a variety of music to help people “connect” and cause charity fund.
DJ Spoony told PA news agency: “I don’t think those streams will have the impact they did. There’s no way I could have imagined it.
“And even now, I don’t think it’s been a week since the lockdown that I haven’t received a nice text from someone, or someone didn’t stop me on the street and say they’ve see me during the lockdown.
“I got emotional a few times on the broadcast because of some of the messages people have sent, saying it was a very difficult time for many of us and the community has really come together.
“And I think if I look at the whole country, if everyone does their part, for their community, while respecting other communities, then we really will have a beautiful country. .
“And I know it’s pretty romantic, but I find this award just as important to our community as it is to me.
“And that’s largely why I accept it, because I’m a little bit at odds with the whole thing. But I’m going to be on behalf of everyone who stuck together and made those streaming afternoons and evenings so much fun.”
Over the course of 10 weeks of 2020, more than a million people tuned in to watch DJ Spoony’s House live on Instagram and Twitch every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
With hours at the garage, vintage club, disco, soul and R&B and a special stream to celebrate his 50th birthday, DJ Spoony has helped raise more than £20,000 for the NHS and various charities.
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His birthday celebration stream, 50 years BBE, also shed light on “those who have shown black British excellence” during DJ Spoony’s lifetime.
DJ Spoony hosted the live event with contributions from celebrities and influencers including Idris Elba, Ian Wright, Baron Lawrence and Tinie Tempah.
Early in his career, DJ Spoony formed the trio Dreem Teem with fellow DJs Mikee B and Timmi Magic.
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DJ Spoony is a member of Dreem Teem along with fellow DJs Mikee B and Timmi Magic (Yui Mok/PA).
Along with Dreem Teem, DJ Spoony joined Kiss 100 radio station in 1997 and the trio later went on to BBC Radio 1, where they kept the Sunday brunch slot until 2003.
DJ Spoony told PA: “When I heard the news, it was an emotional moment because my mother is no longer here.
“And I knew how excited she would be, and I wasn’t able to call her and tell her.
“The sacrifices my mother made, the support, the faith.
“Though, as I said, I personally am a bit at odds with titles and the use of the word Empire in titles – and I would probably feel a lot more comfortable if that weren’t in there. – me too. accept the journey my people, especially my mother, have gone through, and the sacrifices my mother has made to get me to this position.”
He added: “I learned to dance standing on her feet and she gave me the rhythm.
“And maybe even more importantly, she allows me to go and express myself when I want to, you know, practice and play music in the house.
“She supported me every step of the way, so when I looked for any form of validation it was just my mom.
“So that’s why, when I talked about it, I was really emotional, because she was supposed to be here to share that with me.”
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/dj-spoony-says-bem-is-as-much-for-our-community-as-it-is-for-me-42253746.html DJ Spoony says BEM ‘means as much for our community as it does for me’