Marky’s story is sensational: already exceedingly popular in Brazil, he was discovered by the Uk’s drum ‘n’ bass elite (namely Bryan Gee) and had them take him under their wing as he developed into one of the world’s best. His subsequent residency at club Movement spun the club and the world of drum ‘n’ bass in a whole new direction, making both Movement and Marky the hottest ticket in town. Throughout ground-breaking singles such as ‘LK’ and best-selling compilations (‘The Brazilian Job’), Marky’s proud Brazilian heritage permeates his musical performance: the sound of South America and drum ‘n’ bass making love. Marky however is a man of few words and is also elusive to interviews. He managed to fit in a few quick answers, although wouldn’t be drawn on his name change early on his career from “Marky Mark” to Marky. Here’s the low down:

How would you describe the album to someone who hasn’t heard it?

An exciting journey in drum n bass.

Some critics are talking about this album as a crossover hit. Do you think it will be? Are you prepared for it? What was the experience of making an album like?

Well, I don’t like to think about these things too much. I’m just happy how it turned out and that people like it… it’s now up to the audience out there to decide whether they like it too and then we’ll see if it’s a hit!

How did it feel to be ‘discovered’, and taken back to England to play? What were your first experiences of the English dnb scene like? How different was reality to your previous perceptions?

Well yeah it was a dream. We used to read about the DJs in the magazines and we didn’t think we’d ever get to go there. It was exciting from the first time you know and I learned a lot and I think us Brazilians also showed some good vibes to the UK posse!

You and XRS wrote probably the biggest track of the last few years in dnb, ‘LK’. How happy were you with the reaction to it? What have been its positive and negative effects on you and your career?

Well, LK was a happy accident. I didn’t like it at first and my managers said ‘This thing is shit hot!’ and I was like ’... Really?’. So then Patife, Bryan and Fabio started playing it, then we put on the Stamina vocals, then things went crazy. It was a exciting moment looking back and I guess many people were made aware of our music, so in that respect it was very good.

Why did you decide to incorporate traditional Brazilian music with dnb?

It just fitted at the time.

Because your sound became popular, do you feel that people have tried to copy that? What do you think of those copies?

Well, I’d say there’s been a growth in latin-flavoured D&B but that’s all good. I don’t want to say much on that, but you know we don’t set out to make Latin D&B we make DnB with a Latin heart.

What kind of different cultural experience has living in Brazil given you? What is Brazil like as a country at the moment?

Well, Brasil as you know has a great musical diversity and that has always rubbed off on me. These days Brasil is pretty stale. We have our problems here but I like to be positive and say that things are improving even though it’s not all that fast, but you know in many ways Brasil has grown a lot. I think the future is good for Brasil if the politicians can keep on a straight line and manage this country with honesty.

How do you manage frequently commuting between England and Brazil?

I manage by begging for upgrades each time I travel! I gotta say it takes it out of me all the travel but you know, I also love to DJ and visit all the crazy places.

What do you think of the dnb scene at present? Is it healthy? Is it moving in any direction stylistically?

Very strong. Worldwide things going on! How many scenes have that?

Where did you learn your scratching from? Why do you incorporate it in your sets?

I still scratch sometimes and I learnt it looking at videos and listening to mix tapes years ago.

What sort of new sounds are you into listening to? Any hot tips?

Everything from new tracks by Calibre and Fresh to Beyonce remixes and some new Jazzanova stuff.

How is (your residency at) Movement going these days?

Absolutely jumpin’ when I was last there.

You can catch DJ Marky, along with MC Stamina, at the following venues in May:

DJ Marky and XRS’s debut album, ‘In Rotation’, is out now through Innerground/Inertia.