2006 September « DEREK”TheBandit’s” Blog

In the world of dance there are a multitude of builders and only a handful of qualified architects that truly define the genre, one of these select few is DEREK“TheBandit” Richardson

Twenty years ago there was an almighty void in the world of critical radio and an even deeper, darker abyss in the world of dance.Enter one Derek Richardson, who within the space of twelve months added “TheBandit” and politely launched his radio career on South Africa’s only national music station 5fm. Fast forward 19 years and today DEREK”TheBandit” has evolved into one of dance music’s most practised authorities on every platform available embraced by the dance dedicated.

With stages shared with everyone from Carl Cox, Judge Jules, Pete Tong, Tall Paul, Sister Bliss, Paul Van Dyk and Dave Morales Derek has traversed the globe, record box in-tow, delivering only the finest, fresh and as ever, infectious beats to those hungry and hankering to be dominated by dance.

With the world fast becoming a smaller place thanks to the likes of “TheBandit” initiating some of the most progressive, insightful and engaging environments in recent years, his second home is today the World Wide Web.

Dance Web Radio, hosted and loaded with some of worlds biggest and best in dance is firmly anchored at soundrepublic.co.za, a domain that today commands as much volume in content as it does in challenging your tweeters.

Add monthly Podcasts of which were introduced at each formats infancy, coupled with Derek’s trade-mark authority, commitment to quality and a respect for his audience and you have a environment teaming with real possibility and ability to transform just how we all celebrate the world of dance. His work ethic is firmly seated around a vision and ability to adapt and ultimately talk to the market in a way that has them locked in at every turn.

With a radio career that started at 5fm and continued on until late last year at Jacaranda 94.2 in Gauteng, tied with more than a decade establishing, growing and compiling dance compilations across a multitude of styles, Derek has and continues pushing the envelope with everything he does. The biggest series, World Of Dance spawned eight volumes over as many years. In total “TheBandit” has generated 23 full-length compilations, each filled with quintessential dance, many of which are still firm staples today, not only in South Africa, but also around the world.

The demand for Richardson’s invaluable wealth of knowledge continues to grow, be it on-air radio invites, behind-the-decks requests or CD compilation production, Derek welcomes the many opportunities afforded him in sharing his wealth of information, experience and expertise whenever and wherever he can.

With New & Social Media comes opportunity and the possibility of even greater integration, something which “TheBandit” celebrates and prides himself on being the first-to-market on a variety of entertainment platforms, past present and very near future. Technology plus content is his success and with that the ability to deliver the best of what both worlds have to offer through delivering solutions that affect real change and growth.

From spinning in front of 30 000 Knebworth attendees through to guesting on Ministry Of Sound’s weekly global broadcasts, DEREK“TheBandit” is as comfortable in front of a wall of fans or quite simply unpacking his record box on compilation in the privacy of a broadband connection. The future is now and DEREK“TheBandit” is decked out and ready to take it all to the next level.

www.soundrepublic.co.za