REWINDING back to a time when Margaret Thatcher was calling the shots, the Berlin Wall stood tall, and Mel and Kim were the musical maestros, the story of Miaer Lloyd, or the electrifying DJ alias ‘Huw Wackman,’ comes alive. After three and a half decades spinning tracks, he’s finally seized the coveted UK turntable trophy, marking a major milestone in his rhythmic odyssey.
Casting the spotlight forward, this 52-year-old turntable titan, hailing from the vibrant enclave of Cwmbran, Torfaen, made his mark despite facing a few hurdles. A broken finger couldn’t stop him from stepping up to the beat. Borrowing the essential gear, Lloyd unleashed his prowess, remarking, “I’ve entered the Technics DMC UK championships many times, first entering the scene at Martha’s Vineyard in Swansea in 1987.”
Miaer, whose days are typically devoted to teaching hip-hop melodies and culture to eager young minds in the south of Wales, shared, “This was my sixth endeavor—I’d been a close runner-up three times already and was nearly ready to drop the needle on my DJ ambitions.” An unexpected turn of events, however, led him to rally once more. Following the passing of his mother, Shirley, who battled dementia, Lloyd channeled his emotions into his music.
The crescendo arrived on a recent Friday at the Boomtown Festival, where a crowd of 75,000 bore witness to his harmonious showdown. Amidst an electrifying atmosphere, he embraced his roots with the recollection, “Me and Mum always shared Fridays, especially when she was unwell; it was our special day. I like to think she was watching over me from up above.”
For the seasoned DJ, clinching the championship was akin to catching the perfect beat drop. Sharing his exhilaration, he reminisced about the transformative times, noting, “I’m still riding the waves of surrealism. Those early days as DJ Excel were astounding, and the DJ world has evolved leaps and bounds since then.” A poignant link to his origins emerged as he recounted how his father, a miner, used his redundancy funds to gift him his inaugural set of decks during the vibrant 80s.
“From club to club, I honed my craft, perfecting my rhythm through relentless practice,” said Lloyd, reflecting on his days of dedication. Thoughts of retiring from the competition circuit had loomed large, until destiny beckoned anew. “With just three weeks on my hands, I crafted a compelling set, despite a bout of flu and a finger fracture,” Lloyd recalled, his voice tinged with humor. “It’s not a cool tale; no epic DJing accident here. Just a breezy Newport bridge, some shopping, and a gusty wind.”
Adding a twist to the story, Lloyd recognized a judge at the UK finals from his 1990s competition days. “Persistence and self-belief can carry you to remarkable heights,” he proclaimed. Now, with the UK championship under his belt, his sights are set on the global stage—San Francisco’s World Championships in November. With an infectious enthusiasm, he declared, “Stateside, I’ll unveil the Welsh magic in the world of beats!”
The turntable saga of Miaer Lloyd, the DJ who danced through the decades and shattered limits, is a tale of resilience and rhythm. From borrowing beats to delivering them, Lloyd’s journey resonates as a testament to unwavering passion and a fervent belief in the groove.
