DJ Format

DJ Format

DJ Format is a UK hip hop producer and DJ, also known as Matt Ford. He is associated with hip hop and turntablism, and his work draws heavily on funk and soulful sampling. He begins gaining attention through early releases on Mo' Wax and Bomb Hip Hop.

Debut album and early recognition

His debut album, Music For The Mature B-Boy, appears in 2002 and becomes an important release in UK hip hop and alternative urban dance. The record combines soulful, funk-based production with strong lyricism, and it receives quiet critical attention before building a wider reputation through word of mouth. It is also notable for a set of three music videos directed by Ruben Fleischer, who is then little known.

The best known of these videos accompanies We Know Something You Don’t Know, a track featuring Chali 2na and Akil of Jurassic 5. The video uses costumed animals, with the rappers represented by a shark and a tiger.

Touring and live work

The album leads to DJ Format supporting Jurassic 5 on their European tour. Through touring in 2003, he and Abdominal establish themselves as a strong live hip hop act. Their performances later include appearances at the Reading and Leeds festivals in 2004, followed by touring across Europe, North America and Australia.

Later release

He later returns with If You Can't Join ‘Em… Beat ‘Em, a record built around loop-based production and a tighter, leaner sound than the debut. The album keeps his mix of b-boy instrumentals, down-tempo sketches and dancefloor-focused beats, while still using humour and a classic hip hop feel. Abdominal appears throughout the record, alongside D-sisive, and The Place reunites DJ Format with Chali 2na and Akil.

Associated artists

Abdominal is his regular lyrical partner and stage collaborator, while D-sisive also features prominently on the later album. Chali 2na and Akil of Jurassic 5 appear on key tracks across the releases mentioned here.