BLUP50 member DJ Lukey is a London based DJ, co-founder of the lifestyle brand Stööki and starter of the #StookiMovement.
// YOUR WORD FOR 2021
Compassion.
// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK/TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?
Touch down Mars! NASA did good.
// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE
I’ve always had an equal passion for design and music, and started making beats from a young age. I studied Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins and London Communications College whilst beginning to DJ around London at that time. My Uni experience definitely made me realise I wanted to start my own business. Shortly after graduating I co-founded the lifestyle brand Stööki and the #StookiMovement began. We released our first ‘Make Your Mark’ collection and hosted our first launch event in 2011. I was part of the DJ and production duo Stööki Sound from 2012 and we were lucky enough to be able to tour around the world, connect with amazing people and lived in the US for a while. Now I’m based in London DJ’ing and producing as well as being Creative Director for Stööki. This year marks Stööki’s 10th year anniversary and it’s crazy how time has flown, we have something very special planned to celebrate the journey so far!
//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
The lockdown life consists of… *In no particular order* coffee! making music, mixing, calls/zoom, connecting with friends, designing, running, cooking and some sage burnin.
// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?
I like discovering new music whilst going for runs.
// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
Stööki’s first collection ‘Make Your Mark’ launch event at Red Bull Studios. I feel lucky to have started the brand with some very special people and my best friends Quincey Cassell Williams ‘Creative Strategist’ (R.I.P 1988 – 2014) & Nadia Abbas ‘Jewellery Technologist’. We put so much hard work into conceptualising the brand and then making it into a reality, launching it was the best feeling and it let me know anything is possible you when you put your mind to it.
// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?
More productions, mixes and events soon hopefully! It’s been such a crazy past year for everyone. The slower pace of life has made me more appreciative of the simple things. I see Stööki growing from strength to strength, we have a lot in the pipeline and longterm plans to develop the educational side of the brand focusing on teaching people and helping communities through our skills and experiences.
// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?
Pharrell Williams, I’m a big fan of his creativity across the music and fashion realms.
// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
My Grandad inspired me from a young age through the life that he lived and his experiences. He motivated me to want to travel and taught me the importance of family values.
// YOUR FAVOURITE SONG OF 2021 SO FAR?
Ben Hauke – ‘Ain’t Bad’. The whole ‘One Year Dance E.P.’ is fire!
// WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER?
I hope my career can inspire people to follow their passions and that you can make it being self made. Also that there’s power in combining different art forms, collaborating and that you can do anything you put your mind to.
// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?
Do you! Find your purpose, your passion for whatever it is you love to do is all the fuel you need. It’s a marathon not a sprint, even if you take small steps each day always keep it moving. Be as openminded as possible and approach things as a beginner even if you’re not, you can always learn from other people. Surround yourself with people who want the best for you. Believe in yourself, don’t give up, you got this!
// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?
Attending the Black Lives Matter movement marches last year was the catalyst for us to start the Stööki ‘Enough is Enough’ fundraiser. The initiative combines jewellery, t-shirts made in collaboration with Last Night In Paris and jewellery-making workshops. The money raised is donated to charitable organisations and enables workshops that help to facilitate young people who have an interest in learning new skills.
I’m excited to release the new Stööki Legacy collection, run our jewellery making workshops again, and our ‘Self-Made’ Spotlight Series that features other creatives who are doing bits with their craft. Big up the team Nadia Abbas and Maya Mihoc and all of the talented artists and creatives we work with. Head to our site to find out more – www.stooki.co.uk
// ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?
I just released the second instalment in my Focus Mix series which features some of my favourite tracks of 2021 so far. I really enjoyed putting it together as I haven’t been able to play out in a while and wanted to spread some good vibes during the lockdown – listen here.
I’m also honoured to have been asked to kick-off the BLUP50 Curates series by compiling a playlist on Spotify hope everyone enjoys it 🙂 Skrrt skrrt!
FOLLOW DJ LUKEY
