by Sean Cooper
DJ Zinc is probably best known for the virtually undisputed 1995 anthem Super Sharp Shooter, a fierce, energetic hip-hop/jungle fusion that by years end had become the very definition of a rinsed-out track. Zincs career as a DJ and producer, however, stretch quite a ways further back, sketching the steady evolution of hardcore from its house and rave roots through ragga and hip-hop-styled hardstep and beyond. Hes worked with a broad range of labels, both respected and virtually unknown (including Back 2 Basics, Congo Natty, Droppin Science, 2000AD, Brain, and, of course, Ganja), done time on the pirate radio circuit, and DJed as a resident at some of Londons most popular underground clubs. Zincs first production work came in the form of the eight-volume series Swift and Zinc, released on Dream Team/Joker Records Bizzy Bs Brain imprint in the early 90s. The collaboration came to an end in 1994 when DJ Swift decided to focus on garage and house (the two still share studio space). Remarkably, Super Sharp Shooter became Zincs solo debut, and hes since released a number of popular tracks, although none have scaled the heights of his first. He currently records with DJ Hype, Pascal, and Rude Bwoy Monty as part of the Ganja Kru (for MCA sublabel Parousia), as well as for Hypes True Playaz label (as DJ Zinc and Dope Skillz). He continued to DJ on a regular basis, and was one of the first drumnbass heads to score with the R&B-slanted 2-step market courtesy of the 1999 single 138 Trek.