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DJ Target
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Explore the evolution of grime music and its cultural impact with DJ Target AKA Darren Joseph, speaker, DJ and broadcaster.
Artist
Musician
Broadcaster
Author
Influencer
Music Business
DJ Target is an English DJ and presenter recognised for his contributions to the grime music scene and his work with BBC Radio 1Xtra. He was a founding member of the influential grime collective Roll Deep, which included notable artists like Skepta and Flowdan.
DJ Target began his career with Roll Deep, helping to shape the UK grime movement. In September 2013, he started hosting part of the 1Xtra Takeover, a simulcast on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra. His role expanded in July 2018 when he became the talent and music lead at Radio 1Xtra, a position he held until June 2021. During this time, he also authored the book "Grime Kids," which chronicles the origins and evolution of grime music. The book received critical acclaim and was later adapted into a successful five-part drama for BBC in 2023.
In 2021, DJ Target hosted a six-episode series on BBC Three titled "Tonight With Target". Although he announced his departure from Radio 1 in 2022, he continued to present on Radio 1Xtra, maintaining his presence in the broadcasting landscape.
DJ Target grew up in Bow, London, and has collaborated with brands such as Arsenal, Havana Club, and Pioneer, demonstrating his versatility beyond music. As a father to his daughter Eden, he has also ventured into entrepreneurship by launching Eden's Bloom, a preservative-free baby food brand.
DJ Target has played a pivotal role in promoting and celebrating grime music and black culture in the UK through his various roles. His journey reflects a commitment to his artistic roots and entrepreneurial spirit.
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frequently asked questions
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Email dj.target@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm DJ's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
DJ Target draws on his firsthand experience as a founding member of the Roll Deep grime collective to frame his sessions around the documented origins and evolution of the UK grime scene. This is grounded in the research and narrative structure developed for his book Grime Kids, which was subsequently adapted into a five-part BBC drama, giving his account a traceable, source-backed format.
DJ Target is available for DJ sets, hosting, and after-dinner appearances suited to music industry events, brand activations, and cultural celebrations. He is a founding member of the grime collective Roll Deep and author of Grime Kids, which was adapted into a five-part BBC drama in 2023.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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