DJ Hatcha

{{Short description|British producer and DJ}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{distinguish|Terry Leonard}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Hatcha | image = DJ Hatcha 2008.jpg | caption = Hatcha mixing live in 2008 | image_size = | birth_name = Terry Leonard | alias = | origin = Croydon, London, England | instrument = | genre = Dubstep | occupation = Producer, DJ | years_active = | label = Tempa, Planet Mu | associated_acts = Kromestar, Youngsta, Benga | website = }}

'''Terry Leonard''', better known as '''DJ Hatcha''' or simply '''Hatcha''', is a South London producer and DJ notable for his seminal work in the musical genre dubstep.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purplerevolver.com/music/on-the-road/122375-found,-multiply-%26-days-like-that-present-heritage-uk-garage-club-night.html|title=Found, Multi:ply & Days Like That present Heritage UK garage club night|date=12 May 2012|author=Bert Bernstein|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> He had a regular show on the prominent pirate radio station Rinse FM in the early 2000s, before bringing dubstep to a wider audience with his regular show on mainstream radio station Kiss FM.<ref name="RA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/hatcha/biography|title=RA: Hatcha biography|accessdate= 3 Feb 2013}}</ref>

==Biography== Leonard was the head buyer of the Big Apple record shop in Croydon, South London, which he ran alongside Arthur Smith (a.k.a. Artwork of Magnetic Man) and John Kennedy.<ref name="RA" /><ref name="getdarker">{{Cite web |url=http://weshotjr.com/?entryid=4890883049083486578 |title=We Shot Jr – DJ Hatcha interview |accessdate=July 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028201246/http://weshotjr.com/?entryid=4890883049083486578 |archivedate=October 28, 2013 }}</ref> A movement within the 2-step garage scene by the name of "dark garage" was taking place at the start of the 2000s, and producers at the forefront of it such as El-B and Horsepower Productions were regulars at the shop, which had become a meeting point within the scene.<ref name="timeout">{{Cite web|url = http://www.timeout.com/london/music/dubstep|title = Time Out – Dubstep|date = October 4, 2006|accessdate = July 12, 2013|work = Time Out|archive-date = 18 June 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130618055517/http://www.timeout.com/london/music/dubstep|url-status = dead}}</ref> At the time Leonard was an influential DJ on various pirate radio stations and a resident at the club ''FWD>>'', where a strain of dark garage that was more stripped down and bass heavy was gaining popularity.<ref name="RA" />

Oliver Jones (Skream), got in touch with Leonard through his brother (producer Hijak), and started working in the shop during the weekends. Leonard played him dark garage sounds, which sparked Jones's interest in producing music.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.se/2005_08_01_archive.html|title = Blackdown – Skream Interview|date = August 27, 2005|accessdate = July 14, 2013}}</ref> Through working in the shop he met Adegbenga Adejumo (Benga), another young producer who was making tunes using his PlayStation gaming console.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/benga-mn0000563928|title = Allmusic – Benga|accessdate = July 14, 2013}}</ref> The two exchanged music and were developing their style under the mentor-ship of Leonard, who had also started to bring dubplates of the tunes Jones and Adejumo were making into his DJ-sets.<ref name="getdarker" /> His sets at FWD>> and on Rinse FM were very influential in forming dubstep, partially thanks to the exclusive music he got from the young producers, as well as that provided by shop regulars Mala, Coki and Loefah (the former two known as duo Digital Mystikz).<ref name="RA" /> {{clear}}

==Discography== ===Selected singles/EPs=== * "Bashment" (self-released, 2001) * "Dub Express" (Tempa, 2003) * ''Special'' 4 track EP w/ Benny Ill (Tempa, 2003) * "10 Tons Heavy" w/ Benga (Planet Mu, 2006) * "Just a Rift" / "Chillz" (Eight:FX, 2008) * "Dirtee Tek" / "Dark Claps" (Special Branch, 2010)

===Compilations/mixes=== * ''Dubstep Allstars Vol. 1'' (Tempa, 2004) * ''Dubstep Allstars Vol. 4'' w/ Youngsta (Tempa, 2006)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{discogs artist|DJ+Hatcha}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hatcha, DJ}} Category:British dubstep musicians Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:DJs from London Category:British electronic dance music DJs Category:English record producers Category:People from Croydon Category:Planet Mu artists