DJ Ritu

Biography

“Dropping shuddering funky drummer breaks over lush Bollywood strings, Ritu cuts up a dizzying collage of hip-hop, bhangra and, best of all, stunning drum ‘n’ bass…”
NME

Her 37-year career includes two decades at the BBC, co-founding 90s cult label Outcaste Records, and touring in over 35 countries as a band-leader and solo artist. Ritu is a pioneer of the ‘Asian Underground’ and Bhangra scenes, opening doors for other artists globally. She has been decolonising dancefloors & radio airwaves since the 80s, connecting cultures through music, and trailblazing paths for women and PoC artists.

DJ Ritu has an amazing repertoire including Soul, Disco, Motown, Pop, House, Drum n’ Bass, as well as Turkish, Greek, African, Latin, and Middle-Eastern sounds.

Whatever the occasion or musical genre you are after for your event, DJ Ritu will guarantee a fantastic night, incredible tunes and a packed dancefloor.

Her DJ sets are immaculately mixed and crafted and her Boiler Room TV debut was hailed as one the best sets ever. Her wide-ranging gig portfolio includes prime venues/festivals like Boiler Room TV, Ministry of Sound, WOMAD, Fabric, Jazz Cafe, Printworks, Roskilde, Sfinks, Tate Britain, the V&A, BFI, Spiritland, Southbank Centre, as well as film premieres for Om Shaanti Om, Bride & Prejudice, and Bhaji On the Beach. She is also a favourite at LGBTQ events.

DJ Ritu’s reputation as an ‘Asian music’ expert took off in the early 90s, and she began touring abroad, becoming the first DJ to introduce Asian sounds in many countries, while guesting at legendary clubs in the UK such as The Mambo Inn.

In 1994, Ritu co-founded Outcaste Records and compiled the label’s first two CDs. She also became resident DJ at the UK’s first-ever weekly Asian club – Bombay Jungle at The WAG Club in London.

After performing at world music conferences like WOMEX in the 90s, Ritu was commissioned to create her first band, Asian Equation – a ‘live show’ centred around the DJ’s soundscape, with dancers, musicians, and visuals. DJ Ritu played Asian fusion spiced with elements of bhangra and Bollywood, Drum ‘n’ Bass, trip-hop, and techno to international audiences as big as 25,000 people.

Ritu also presents her unique Asian music show for BBC 3 Counties Radio and in 2006, she started presenting ‘A World In London’ every Saturday night on BBC Radio London. Ritu has also contributed to BBC World Service, Radio 1 and 3, BBC Asian Network, Kiss100 and Club Asia.

Ritu manages three London club nights, that are all dedicated to Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish and Greek sounds with a healthy dose of pop thrown in for good measure!

Her career has been one of many firsts and DJ Ritu remains a pioneer in every respect.

DJ Ritu is perfect for: Birthdays, Christmas events, weddings, Asian Weddings, Greek Weddings, world music events, music events, club nights, themed events, corporate events, festivals, private functions and LGBTQ events.