Growing up in South London, LJ Shellings spent his early teens sneaking onto his brother’s Technics when no one was looking. Fast forward to today and he’s the host of AKIN, a monthly takeover on G-SHOCK Radio – a platform built not just on the music, but on the people behind it.

A DJ, producer and self-described former introvert, LJ Shellings has turned a lockdown rekindling of his love for music into something far bigger: a community of artists, a space for honest conversation, and a radio show defined by freedom. Broadcasting live from G-SHOCK’s flagship store in Carnaby Street and streaming worldwide on Mixcloud, LJ Shellings has turned his show into a superpower, allowing him to shed his skin and blossom as a broadcaster.

We sat down with LJ Shellings to talk about his journey to G-SHOCK Radio, the guests who’ve moved him most, and where he thinks radio is headed.

Tell us about your journeys with music and why you wanted to become a radio host?

LJ Shellings: My journey into music started at 12 or 13 years old, secretly playing on my brother’s Technics at home when he wasn’t around. I grew up in Gipsy Hill, South London, and we were all into UK Rap and UKG. He had a very impressive vinyl collection from stores like Big Apple Records and still has a number of very sought-after white labels. I only took up DJing myself in 2020 due to COVID and being locked at home; I wanted to reignite that passion for music. This then progressed into bar gigs where mic work was sometimes required, which forced me to open up a bit more. Ultimately I met so many amazing people and wanted a way to shine a light on them, and the natural way to do so was hosting shows and showcasing talent.

How did you get your radio show?

I met a friend through Voices Radio (huge shout out to them always), Alfie Butler. He reached out one day about someone she knew who was starting a radio show and thought I’d be a good fit. This linked me to DJ Nav at G-SHOCK Radio.

We had an initial call and it felt like we were aligned on a vision. He had me in for a trial show where I barely spoke on the mic. I played a very safe party mix. He told me very honestly at the end of the show something I’ll never forget: “yeah, that was pretty cute.” I think he knew I was a bit better than I’d shown. He encouraged me to get on the mic, talk more, and present it like a proper show. Nav had faith in me and gave me the reins for my collective, AKIN, to have a monthly show, and here we are.

Talk to us about what attracted you to radio in the first place.

Although I had played at lots of cool venues, radio gave me a chance to talk about the music and the people more. Specifically the people. I’d historically been quite shy and hadn’t pushed myself. But I’d been working on that and music had already helped me break that cycle. Having met so many amazing people who were similar, I really felt compelled to show the world who some of the people behind the music are. Radio gave me the chance to do that. The further I’ve delved into it and developed my interview skills, the more it has allowed me to really dig deep and achieve that for the artists we’ve featured.

What are some of the guiding principles that define your show AKIN?

Freedom. The only rule I ever give to guests around what they play is no swearing on tracks. We play live to the store on Carnaby Street and stream live to the world on Mixcloud. Otherwise, I love showcasing the artist: starting with their sound and then an interview within it. G-SHOCK and Nav have always trusted the vision. They’ve given us the freedom to let the show find its natural rhythm. It’s only right that we extend those same principles to our guests. The most common feedback we get is how much guests enjoy playing a set almost entirely for themselves. I often encourage them to bring along tracks they listened to as a kid and play them as part of the set. Or to tell the story of how they got here through the music and the interview on the show.

Walk us through how you prepare for your show.

Preparation for me starts with the set. I always try to have a few of my own new unreleased tracks in there. Just so I can hear how they sound and see if anyone in the room or on Mixcloud requests an ID or reacts to it. Otherwise I’ll find tracks I’m enjoying at the time, new releases or promos I’ve been sent that I want to showcase. Then I’ll check in with the artists due on and ask if there’s anything specific they want to chat about. If not, I generally keep my own research quite light and find out more about them on the show. Trying to let the interview happen naturally.

What is one radio show from your archive that defines you?

One interview that defines me, or at least moved me the most emotionally, was the recent chat with Reptile B. He’s an amazing artist I met last year and an incredibly inspiring human being. A loud, proud Black queer rapper who is not afraid to be himself. Despite how some people can be in this world. It’s taken a lot for me to be more open and confident, so seeing someone like B carry himself with that level of confidence — despite the potential for racism, homophobia, and real negativity he can face — reminds me how incredibly privileged I am and makes me so proud of him. I will support him and anyone like him, 100%. He really got a chance to tell his story on the show. It made me feel proud of what we’ve achieved.

In building the community around you, what have been some of the most heart warming moments?

The most satisfying part of the community around me would have to be Jason Bourne SE. Someone I met while DJing in a club in South London who had very little experience at the time. He’s worked his arse off, is incredibly talented, and is now like my little brother. He’s an AKIN resident and has run his own takeovers on G-SHOCK for us. I recently played his first track while closing Hootananny in Brixton, which was another proud moment. Watching him develop into his own artist has been incredible. I’ve also met some amazing people through him; Cass Brewster and TK, two more incredible artists. Setting the vision, going with it, and attracting the right people has been key. Now I’m surrounded by lovely humans all the time.

“On AKIN, I’m asking questions on the audience’s behalf, not just for myself.”

What are your golden tips for presenting and putting together a radio show?

Make sure you’re passionate about what you do, go with that, and figure the rest out. While interviewing, it’s important to let the guest answer. I was really bad at this early on. I’d get so excited about a response that I’d interject, and watching it back was uncomfortable. Developing that skill has helped me personally too, whether it’s with my daughters and girlfriend or anywhere else. It’s a reminder to let people finish. The focus now is to remind myself that although I’m the interviewer, I’m asking questions on the audience’s behalf. Not just for myself. So I try to keep an open, listener-first approach.

What do you think the future of radio looks like?

The future of radio for me looks like a blend between podcast and music. We already have lots of sets and replays available online for people who just want the music. I think radio is going to be a taster for the artist — you hear the sound and get a dig into who they are so you leave knowing a little more. The visual element is so much more important nowadays too. Social media is huge, and a mix of audio and visuals for streaming is essential for a listener or viewer. Even the comments on Mixcloud when we stream live add an element of real-time feedback that makes it feel more connected.

We spoke to DJ Nav last year and he had this to say about you: “[LJ’s] gone from being super shy to being a little bit curious in the shows by asking questions of people. It’s been pleasing to watch that part of his evolution.” How would you assess your own evolution?

It’s lovely to hear from Nav. I look up to him massively as an incredible role model and I’m so pleased to have met him at the right time. We love Nav and the culture that’s been built at G-Shock. We owe him a huge debt for the faith he showed in me and AKIN, which has allowed us to turn into what the shows are now. Always grateful to be part of it, and we always strive to improve.

Follow LJ Shellings on Mixcloud and Instagram.