Mike ‘Ruff Cut’ Lloyd is respected and noted as one of the leading lights of the UK Garage scene. He is renowned for his storming upfront sets and flair for acknowledging what a crowd wants. Utilising the skills he developed in the early Hip Hop era, Mike provides an element of cutting up and scratching to his sets that makes him stand out from the crowd.
Born and bred in London’s East End, Mike began his DJ career on the local sound systems playing electro and Hip Hop. He won the London MTV straight mixing award. His first foray into radio took him to South London pirate station Passion FM alongside the likes of Jumping Jack Frost and Bryan Gee. This was followed by stints at LWR and Laser where he continued to develop his musical style by introducing US House and Hardcore into his sets. When the hardcore scene split in the early nineties he chose not to play Jungle, but to concentrate on the US House and Garage scene.
Mike went on to join the London pirate radio station De Ja Vue in the mid-nineties and alongside MC Munchie they developed one of the most popular radio shows, that is still, talked about today. It was during this period that his popularity reached new heights. His upfront musical selection and unique mixing ability brought forth a steady stream of bookings for all the major clubs and promotions. This resulted in a DJ profile on Kiss TV as well as guest spots on the Judge & Jury show with Judge Jules and the Kiss 100 Full Frontal show. Not letting his talents just stop at mixing, Mike has written reviews for club magazines, and worked as guest presenter on Rapture TV’s ‘Clubber' . As well as being asked by Blam Records and Confetti Records to compile a mix CD of their work, also teaming up with Jason Kaye to mix the Garage Nation CD.
Joining the London dance ILR Millennium Dance, he was a key figure in taking the UK Garage scene to a wider audience, a fact confirmed by his UK Garage Acknowledgement’ award. He has also compiled the ‘Underground Artist presents Mike ‘Ruff Cut’ Lloyd’ CD for Pure Silk Recordings and his first track ‘Down’ a collaboration with Zed Bias, was released on Locked On Records. He also remixed for TJ Cases, Chocolate Boy Recordings ans ‘Do You Better’ by Mills & Boom.
From 2001 until 2003 Mike presented a weekly radio show on London’s Choice FM and now does guest shows on various stations including the likes of BBC 1Xtra.
To date, Mike remains one of the most consistent and sort after DJ’s. As well as playing what he is most recognised for, UK Garage. Due to his versatility & skills on the decks he is often called upon to play Funky, US and Electro House. He has played extensively throughout the UK, as well as on the international scene taking him to various countries including Malaysia, Thailand, USA, Norway, Cyprus, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Spain and more.
With his busy DJ schedule, Mike has proved to be an ideal representative of the UK Garage scene not only in personality but in his ability to raise the roof wherever he plays.