Sheffield lad Tom gets life back on track as a teen DJ

A 14-year-old DJ has changed tracks from hanging out on the streets to making beats for Sheffield nightclubbers.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Apr 2016, 07:34 BST
Tom Dempsey, 14, of Sheffield, pictured working on some beats. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Dempsey MC 4Tom Dempsey, 14, of Sheffield, pictured working on some beats. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Dempsey MC 4
Tom Dempsey, 14, of Sheffield, pictured working on some beats. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Dempsey MC 4

Tom Dempsey, from Parson Cross, has used music as a way of staying out of trouble after finding a passion for DJing.

The teen, who started out by making beats in his bedroom two years ago, has also bagged his own headline gig at Plug after being signed by the nightspot’s manager.

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Tom said he has his dad, Graham, aged 35, to thank for helping him develop his promising career.

“If it weren’t for my Dad I wouldn’t have been in the position that I’m in now,” he said.

“I used to get in trouble with the police but he has helped me stay on track and not go off the rails.

“He has given me something to aim for in life.

“I think music can help anybody put their lives back on track and send them in the right direction. It helps to give me something to focus on and get me out of the real world.”

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Tom has already supported big name rappers such as Kano and Chipmunk, but will now get the chance to be the main act in front of a big crowd at Plug.

“I’ve seen a lot of artists start from nothing and this is a great opportunity for me,” he said.

“I feel like I am a part of the music scene and that is great.

“I get loads of followers from school, not just because of the person that I am but because I make good music for people to listen and relate to.

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“I think this event at Plug is really going to kick-start my career.”

Tom, a year 10 pupil at Ecclesfield School, was spotted by Plug’s manager, Adele Bailey, who also runs her own record label, after setting up his own bassline night at The Forum just before Christmas.

He runs a Facebook page called ‘BetterDanMost,’ and has already racked up 30,000 views on one of his music videos.

Graham helped Tom to get in touch with Adele and is proud of what his son has achieved in the last two years.

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“He is my hero, he’s so professional and won’t let this go to his head, he’s a really nice lad,” Graham said.

“He has got his feet on the ground and this helps to keep him off the streets.”

Tom is set to play at Plug, on Matilda Street, in June.