Jax Jones

In July this year, Jax Jones received an honorary business doctorate from London’s Brunel University. In a touching speech, in which he shouted out his mum and stepdad, who came to the UK from Malaysia and Nigeria respectively as young adults, he spoke about making music on a “£50 Mac computer” in his room in 2008, and the entrepreneurial spirit that led to him eventually, after years of graft, collaborating with Duke Dumont on the No.1 single ‘I Got U’ in 2014. Ten years later, he’s hit the Top 100 DJs poll for the first time, and he has that tireless work ethic to thank for it. In 2024, he’s released massive singles like ‘Never Be Lonely’ with Zoe Wees and ‘Tonight (D.I.Y.A)’ with Jason Derulo and Joel Corry, been remixed by Cascada, Pitbull and Scooter, and played events ranging from London Pride to Untold Festival in Romania. He also delivered his own remix of Girls Aloud’s ‘Love Machine’, and when promoters allegedly said it was “too risky to do a tour with me”, he arranged his own, which promptly sold out. He’s keeping the momentum up too, with an upcoming track in collaboration with rising star Sim0ne.

Favourite tune of 2024:

"Charli XCX ‘Club Classics’"

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024:

“Sim0ne.” Could DJs do more to ensure that producers are fairly paid for their art?

“To me, it’s a distant utopian thought to expect DJs to offer a proportion of their fees to producers for playing their songs. Looking at modernising royalty collection for club music would be a better start.”

Should phones be banned on the dancefloor?

“Not in my opinion. People should be allowed to do what they want.”

A.I. - friend or foe?

“Friend — it can make your day easier if you use it the right way. A.I. helps me make music a lot faster.”

What’s your lucky charm?

“A bracelet my wife bought for me.”