DJ EZ (real name — Otis Roberts) is a British DJ, producer, and one of the most influential figures in the UK Garage scene. Born on November 10, 1973, in London, and raised in the northern district of Tottenham, DJ EZ became a key figure in shaping the sound of UK Garage, Speed Garage, and 2-step in the late 1990s. Today, his name stands as a symbol of technical mastery and live mixing — performed “in real time” without digital pre-recording.
Early Years and Path to Music
-
As a child, he was fascinated by hip-hop and electro-funk, recording homemade mixes on cassette tapes.
-
His first DJ alias was “Easy O”, later shortened to DJ EZ.
-
Between 1989 and 1991, he began performing on London’s pirate radio stations, including Dance 93 FM and Impact FM.
-
In 1994, he joined Freek FM, where he started promoting a new sound — UK Garage — blending house and American garage-soul influences.
Breakthrough and Radio 1Xtra
-
In 2000, DJ EZ became the host of a show on Kiss 100 FM, earning the title of “the voice of UK Garage on radio.”
-
His programs “The Sunday Night Experience” and “Kiss Presents Garage” attracted hundreds of thousands of listeners across the UK.
-
He actively supported young artists, including Artful Dodger, Craig David, MJ Cole, So Solid Crew, and Disclosure.
Style and Technique
DJ EZ is renowned for his exceptional mixing skills:
✔ lightning-fast cut-mixes and spinbacks
✔ precise beatmatching (by ear)
✔ three-deck mixing, layering multiple vinyl records at once
✔ performs entirely live — never using pre-recorded sets.
Selected Releases and Mixes
| Year | Release / Project |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Pure Garage — a legendary compilation series that brought UK Garage to the mainstream |
| 2002 | Pure Garage – Platinum Edition |
| 2003 | Pure Garage Classics |
| 2015 | 24-hour charity DJ set for Comic Relief — a world record |
| 2020s | Performances at Glastonbury, Creamfields, Tomorrowland, and Boiler Room |
Major Events
-
In 2016, DJ EZ performed a non-stop 24-hour live DJ set, raising over £60,000 for charity.
-
Performs at the world’s top festivals: Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, Defected Croatia, Boomtown, We Are FSTVL.
-
In 2019, he founded his own label Nuvolve Records, supporting the UK Garage, Bass House, and Breakbeat scenes.
Interesting Facts
-
Never uses pre-recorded sets — every mix is performed live.
-
His iconic logo features the letters EZ inside a circle.
-
He is left-handed but performs on right-handed DJ setups.
-
Abstains from alcohol and smoking, focusing solely on “pure music.”
-
Fans often call him “The Godfather of Garage.”
Influence and Legacy
DJ EZ is the living history of UK Garage. The modern British electronic music scene cannot be imagined without him. He bridged the gap between the first generation of garage producers and the new wave of artists — from Disclosure and Fred again.. to Eliza Rose and Sammy Virji.
Even decades later, he remains one of the most respected DJs in the world — admired for his honesty, technical excellence, and pure passion for music.
