Sam Phonic, the on-stage moniker of Sam Mornington, knows how to work a crowd into a frenzy. A specialist in electrifying heavy House with Hip-Hop acapellas, it’s no wonder he’s the new champion of Faded Society’s B2B Battle Series. 

He’s been on a long journey since DJing for his older brother and their mates before they went out, leaving 12 year old Sam Phonic at home. Now, at 26, his brother is still his biggest supporter. He has seen him DJ at some iconic venues including Ministry of Sound, the Ibiza Rocks Bar and at the Amsterdam Spring Break festival. 

It’s been an incredible time for Sam Phonic. Within the space of two months he started a new job which he describes as “basically the School of Rock”, won the B2B Battle September Heats and then won the 2025 championship at his favourite club Egg in early November. 

Growing up in North London meant being exposed to a world of different genres and cultures all at once. Paired with a festival-going older brother and access to YouTube, young Sam Phonic started his journey wide-eyed. Excited at the prospects of playing on the resplendent stages of Tomorrowland.  

His parents quickly obliged, taking him to the London Sound Academy (LSA) when he was 13. There, amongst people much older, who he thought were “kings and legends”, he learnt music production and DJing from great teachers including LSA’s CEO Buster Bennett. “He was there from the beginning and so supportive,” says Sam Phonic. LSA even helped him land his first slot at North London’s Church of House, Egg, in Kings Cross. 

Sam Phonic’s performance skills really began to take shape in the open-format clubs. London’s wide range of bars and hangout spots like Rowan’s bowling alley have demanding audiences that yearn for excitement at every minute. He learnt how to read crowds and seeing their reactions to him fusing a ‘‘Hollaback Girl’ acapella into the ‘Uptown Funk’ track” made him love the open-format style of DJing that whole lot more. He also evolved from thinking DJing meant “level 10 hype all the time,” as he puts it, to believing that “low energy stuff is just as important in a set. Let the crowd breathe. Tension and release.”  

Going into the B2B DJ battles, Sam Phonic wasn’t sure he was going to win. His goal was to simply “get through the first round”. To his surprise, he ended up winning the heats, beating seven DJs in the process. Despite a wave of imposter syndrome, he realised how sweet it is to know “all the hard work and the hours that no one sees are all worth it.” “I’ve put in so many hours, had so many rejections and I can’t even tell you how many empty dancefloors I’ve played too,” Sam Phonic continues. “I just didn’t know how to read the crowd. But to all beginner DJs out there, I think that’s the best way to learn.”

“All the hard work and the hours that no one sees are all worth it.” 

Sam Phonic was inspired to sign up to the battles because fellow DJ Gem Precious won the April Heats. The energy and excitement was too good to miss. “I would never have guessed that so many things would have happened because of it,” he admits. “Normally with promoters you do the show, two weeks later (if you’re lucky) you get paid and you never hear from them again. So to come away with so many new connections, memories and friends is unexpected.” 

As 2025 is coming to an end, Sam Phonic says he’s looking forward to so much. With his championship title, he gets a residency on G-SHOCK Radio. He is excited to bring as many interesting faces, producers, DJs and musicians through to the studio. He’s working on his productions, namely with rapper Big Dreco, focusing on making music with real people over production apps like Splice. More than anything, he’s keen to see not only himself but his friends get booked on the same lineups. Especially as they continue their journey together as a community.

He’s grateful to those that have helped him along the way. His family, Buster Bennet, two random DJs at Egg that let him hop on the decks many years ago. And, of course, Faded Society, for crowning him No.1 this year. The lovely thing is, he’s taking them all with him on the next part of that journey. 

Check out Sam Phonic’s takeover slot on B2B Battles G-SHOCK Radio show from October. Keep your eyes peeled on their page for sign-ups to the next competition.