Darren Emerson

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Darren Emerson (born 30 April 1971, Hornchurch, England) is a dance music DJ, and former member of the UK electronic music outfit, Underworld.

Career

Emerson began mixing Hip-Hop records at the age of 14, and by 16 was DJing regularly at local venues. He began to explore House Music and quickly acquired a reputation as one of the top British DJs, and demand for his services saw him playing at top clubs such as The Milk Bar, Limelights, and Venus. Darren has garnered several accolades such as "DJ of the Month" in The Face magazine, and also i-D magazine.

In 1990, Martin Prudence, brother-in-law of Rick Smith, introduced him and Karl Hyde invited him to become the third member of techno band Underworld. 1993's dubnobasswithmyheadman was their commercial breakthrough onto the then burgeoning British electronica scene. While working on their second album, 1996's Second Toughest in the Infants, they released the single "Born Slippy .NUXX", which was an instant hit following its inclusion on the soundtrack to the movie, Trainspotting.

Emerson also emerged as a much sought-after remix talent, with remixes for such diverse acts as The Chemical Brothers, and Björk.

Darren parted ways with Underworld in 2000 and then concentrated more on his solo career as a DJ and remixer, and also a label owner. "Global Underground: Uruguay" (2000) and "Global Underground: Singapore" (2001) soon followed on the Global Underground label, with "Episode 1" on his new Underwater label following in 2002. He continued to release tracks by himself and new artists on the Underwater records label and eventually gained its own night at super club Pacha, Ibiza alongside fellow DJ Erick Morillo, to hold a joint Underwater/Subliminal Records night. During its second summer at Pacha, his Underwater Records night won 'House Event' of the summer at the DJ Magazine awards. After its success, Darren Emerson decided to host its own full night at Pacha, Ibiza which became an extremely popular night on the island.

Over the past few years, Emerson has been busy touring the world whilst preparing for his own solo debut album. Rarely playing in the UK apart from his bi-monthly resident slot at London club The End, he still finds time to release an annual Underwater Records compilation every summer. In 2007 he performed at Sensation White in the Amsterdam Arena.

Since 2004, Emerson has been dating British TV presenter, Kate Thornton. They are currently engaged and have one son named Ben, born in May 2008.

Discography

Solo releases

• Psychotrance 2 (1994)
• Mixmag Live!, Vol. 13 (1996)
• Cream Separates (1997)
• Global Underground: Uruguay (2000)
• Global Underground: Singapore (2001)
• Summer Love 2001: DJ Emerson & D. Dreyer (2001)
• Underwater, Episode 1 (2002)
• H2O (12 inch) (2002)
• Underwater, Episode 2 (2003)
• Underwater, Episode 3 (2004)
• Underwater, Episode 4 (2005)
• Bouncer (2005)
• H2O EP (2005)
• Underwater, Episode 5 (2006)
• Crashjack (2008)
• Global Underground: Bogotá (2009)

with Underworld

• dubnobasswithmyheadman (1993)
• Second Toughest in the Infants (1996)
• Beaucoup Fish (1999)
• Everything, Everything (2000)

External links

• Personal website
• Darren Emerson discography at MusicBrainz
• Darren Emerson at Discogs
• Darren Emerson interview about travelling, being a father and music