As a teenager, DJ Nicco’s interest in music began when he decided to fool around the DJ equipment inside a bar his grandmother operated on Hope Road in Kingston. Since then, he has grown into one of the most sought-after DJs on the local music scene.

“My grandmother had a bar and she used to collect vinyl 45 rpms and tapes of whatever was hot at the time. I would sneak in and play with the DJ equipment until one day when the bar shut down, all the equipment and music ended up in my room. The rest is history,” DJ Nicco disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Alongside his former Fame FM cohort DJ Kurt Riley and DJ Marvin, DJ Nicco is part of the line-up for this Saturday’s staging of the Wray & Nephew Rum Yesterday Best of the 90s retro party series. The event takes place at the Mas Camp, Stadium North.

He said patrons can look forward to experiencing the ultimate party atmosphere.

“You can expect musical vibes, creativity, and all-round madness. I always aim to create the ultimate party atmosphere,” said DJ Nicco.

The St Thomas-born DJ Nicco was raised in Kingston where he attended Campion College. He later spent time in Ocho Rios where he learned the ropes in entertainment before relocating to Kingston to take up duties as one of the most prolific jocks on Fame FM.

He recalled his first professional gig as a DJ.

“Professionally, the first time I got paid to play music I was 15 years old. That’s four years after I started playing around with turntables.

DJ Nicco has played at several events both locally and internationally. He shares what he brings to the table musically.

“I DJ with a purpose, a feel for the people first and the music secondly. The reason I say this is the whole point of being a party DJ is to deliver to the patron an experience, a reason to dance, to remember, to make them forget their problems and live in the moment. It’s not just about what music is new and what is old, it’s about the people who work hard all week and then step out and pay their money to have an experience that makes them look forward to the next one. I don’t play for other DJs, I play for who I see in front of me and that’s been working throughout my entire career. I also only compete with myself. Always learning and improving,” he shared.

DJ Nicco said patrons continue to support retro-themed parties such as Yesterday Best of the 90s because of the musical memories that are created.

“Times may change but memories and experiences are forever. Being able to go to a party that mimics the feel and atmosphere of an individual’s first party experience will always keep patrons packed in the venue. For instance, if you partied in the 80s or 90s, you will always love when those memories are recreated for you and will always want that feeling and vibe,” said DJ Nicco.

He added, “I like that the patrons actually come out to dance and enjoy themselves. It’s the reason why I do what I do. Nowadays it seems with regular parties outside of soca, it becomes a chore to make the patrons get in a vibe but with retro, they come out ready to let loose. When they say they are going out to dance, that’s actually what they are doing.”

DJ Nicco now resides in South Florida. However, he travels back and forth to Jamaica where he does the occasional gig.

“This year alone I’ve broken new ground, playing in places I have never been before and carrying my brand to another level. Just last week I was playing in Cancun, Mexico; before that it was Seattle, Washington, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and Canada. I’m now residing in South Florida, and I am also the resident DJ for Tropical Fridays and Wyncarib on a Saturday, two of the biggest, weekly, Caribbean-infused parties in South Florida. I also have radio shows Monday through Friday — always pushing dancehall and reggae music to new masses and flying the Jamaican flag as high as I can. I haven’t had the time but I’m also getting back into the production aspect of music — but that’s a whole different conversation,” said DJ Nicco.

DJ Nicco can be heard on Linkup Radio in New York and Supa Jamz Radio in West Palm Beach, Florida.