Keep an eye out for this poverty battling badge at London DJ sets

Next time you’re at a party in London, it’s worth taking a peak behind the decks to see if the DJ is wearing this badge.

It bears the logo of newly set-up collective DJs Against Street Poverty (DASP), created to ask DJs to commit to supporting a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, foodbank or homelessness charity of their choice.

The idea is the brainchild of London DJs Mr Boogie and Dr Pudding, who opted to mobilise their fellow record spinners to battle poverty and kicked off the movement with a launch party at The Vortex Jazz Club on February 1.

Mr Boogie, real name Goobi Kyazze, told The Big Issue that he was inspired to create DASP last autumn following a meeting with a homeless man living in north London called Joe, originally from Gambia. He told Goobi of the help that church-based homelessness project C4WS gave him and after looking further into their work running winter shelters and dinners to homeless people, the DJ decided to support them with a portion of his earnings.

The idea struck a chord with pal David Bryceland, who will support Thames Reach, while the pair’s most recent recruit is Laszlo Balla, joining Goobi in backing C4WS.

“I came up with the concept because music is something that I am very passionate about,” Goobi told The Big Issue.

“I want to change the perception of DJs too. Our primary objective now is to get as many DJs as possible to sign up to our initiative.

“Anyone who wishes to become a DASP DJ will have to commit to supporting a soup kitchen, shelter, foodbank or homeless charity of their choice.

“Our launch event went pretty well – now we hope it is just the first of many.”

While the grassroots movement is only in its infancy, Goobi already has plans for new events and is currently scoping out London’s DJ scene to build DASP’s profile and change the tune for people on the margins.

The group have pencilled in another event on March 5 at Brilliant Corners in Dalston to build on the modest £80 they raised for C4WS at their launch party.

Goobi is hoping that DASP will grow over time to support a range of poverty related causes and allow DJs to bring more than just tunes to the party.

“What we feel is important is that DJs act as an ambassador for the body, charity or organisation they choose to support and try to raise their profile,” he said. “We hope that each DASP DJ will wear their badge with pride!”