Let’s go back to the spring of 2000. As their respective involvement in promotions based around the Midlands seemed like they were running their course, J Squared, Dave H and Gidge, three pals with a shared vision of something that could really work decided to join forces and form Off the Hook.

Going back to 2000 Hip Hop and funk nights were few and far between in the surrounding area and there was a real need for something underground that the local heads, students and whoever else could come along to and get away from the monotony of cheese that had been running the cities venues since way back.

After hooking up with the Student Union and gaining access to their coveted members the lads set off to start putting on parties with an ethos of a good vibe, no attitude, a cheap door price and most importantly good time party music.

Not really knowing what to expect in terms of local reaction and numbers through the door the lads got the ball rolling and were chuffed to bits to have 400 people through the door for their first ever jam – it was from then on they knew that they were putting on something that people wanted and this has spurred them on for the last five years plus!

Before Off the Hook it would have been impossible to think that so many quality acts would roll through the city and play to so many up for it party attenders, but this was the case and the acts kept coming to town…

Off the Hook soon grew and its reputation took off and it has become a nationally recognized name for putting on quality events – this had led to OTH putting on events all round the country from Nottingham to Plymouth.

The night’s success also co-incided with the resurgence in the popularity in Hip Hop and funk music both locally and nationally and Off the Hook provided a great platform for these local aspiring performers to get their shine on. It will never take all the credit but Off the Hook cannot help to feel it played a part in the fact that many workshops for wanna be DJ’s, rhymers and breakers are all very well attended in the city today.

Like a lot of promoters out there, selfishly the lads wanted a platform that they could DJ on as much as they wanted to provide the locals with some where to do to the electric slide on a Friday night. The DJ sets of the residents themselves alongside those who soon joined board – Hudson, Beatmaster and the multi tasking host with the most BFG helped make Off the Hook what it is.

Alongside rocking the Derby stage the Off the Hook residents have DJ’ed all over the UK at nights including Breakin Bread, Spectrum, Technique, Phonetics and Spread Love.

Nowadays Off the Hook isn’t running as a monthly event in Derby, the crew are now scattered across the country but the name lives on with one off events from time to time and guest DJ spots where ever they get the call.

The mix CDs keep coming with the lads continuing to put out a solid output to a continuing critical acclaim.

For bookings, information or just to get in touch then Holla!!