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Best Of British 2010: Best Radio Show - Pete Tong: Essential Selection

Tong Scoops The Gong - Radio 1 mainstay is still the daddy

In this time of never-ending choices, the sheer volume of music and all its various mediums can at times be overwhelming and daunting to absorb. “I remind myself each day that people still need a signpost to navigate through all this infinite choice. Listening and looking for inspiration is a big part of my day,” Pete Tong tells DJmag.

When Pete first starting DJing, radio was his connection with “another world”. It was the pioneers of dance radio like Robbie Vincent and Greg Edwards that hooked him in. “I knew it’s what I wanted to do and back then it was one of the only ways to really move up on the scene,” he explains. “I also knew that a successful show really supports the music and the artists who make it.”

For many, Pete Tong’s Friday night show on Radio 1 marks the start to the weekend and a point of call for discovering new and exciting tunes and producers — such is his ability to pick out the sparkling tracks that glisten and reveal themselves amongst the stockpile.

It’s also Pete’s generosity of spirit that his fans love as he constantly name-checks Annie Mac, Judge Jules, Fabio & Grooverider, Rob Da Bank, Gilles Peterson, Annie Nightingale, the Essential Mix, Kutski, In New DJs and 1Xtra. “So I guess it’s even more special to be picked ahead of a quality pack, not to mention all the stuff that goes out on Kiss, Ministry and beyond,” he continues.

Receiving the Best Of British Radio Show award is a timely confirmation to him that he’s getting the programme more right than wrong. “It’s a great way to end the year, and extra special when it comes from the readers and my peers,” he beams.

Spending a lot more time in the studio these days, working on original music and remixes has also had a positive and creative effect on his live gigs around the world. With this in mind, the plan of action for the New Year is to enhance the global nature of his radio show. “I travel the world and I want to bring back that experience,” he concludes.

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  The Other Nominees

Benji B – Deviation Ross Allen – Meltdown Nic Fanciulli – Worldwide Sounds Carl Cox - Global