Chris Anthem

Living just minutes from Club Labyrinth (The 4 Aces) in Dalston, he would watch the weekend queues snake around the block, too young to enter but soaking up the culture from afar. By age nine, he was recording mixes from Kool FM and other local stations, mimicking MCs and sharing tapes with friends, building the foundations of his DJ journey.

One of Chris' earliest influences came from a cassette tape of The Prodigy, handed to him by an aunt. The hard-hitting breakbeats and synths sparked a lifelong love for electronic music. His cousin, DJ Baron, further fueled this passion, with bedroom sessions filled with strobe lights, laughter, and records spinning late into the night.

In 1996, at just 14, Chris bought his first decks — a pair of Soundlab DLP 1600s and a Numark 2-channel mixer — using money he had saved from birthdays and pocket money. Living near Record Village in Walthamstow, he would save diligently to buy vinyl, starting with classics like Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters. By 18, as a postman, he upgraded to Technics 1210s, listening to his mixes on mini-disc and refining his skills while earning his living.

Chris immersed himself in East London's club scene, frequenting iconic venues like Bagleys, Camden Palace (now Koko), and Charley Chans. It was at Gass Club in Leicester Square that he truly found the underground Garage sound — raw, exclusive, and electric. Inspired by DJs like DJ EZ, Tuff Jam, and Hermit, he began following crews like Heartless and Pay As You Go, even traveling to Ayia Napa to soak in the scene.

Early opportunities included producing a mixtape for local promoter Gappy Ryder, which led to a graveyard slot on Fresh FM, paving the way for residencies at Fat Sid's Bar and the Boundary Estate studio. Despite a setback in his early 20s when a bag of precious vinyl was stolen, Chris' connection to the music never waned.

During the lockdown, rediscovering old vinyl reignited his passion. In 2023, he began sharing videos on TikTok, showing his vinyl collection and highlighting classic tracks. His energy resonated with fans, sparking live sessions on Instagram and TikTok, where the phrase "Stop What You're Doing Right Now" became a signature sign-off, emphasizing that music is always "Way More Important."

In September 2025, Chris returned to live DJing after 20 years, performing at Vinyl Exchange (Sydenham) and various underground venues across London. He hosts a bi-weekly Garage Tape Packs show from 2–4 PM, sharing his Anthem's Choice of the Week and spinning absolute bangers from the underground scene.