World renowned reggae DJ David (Ram Jam) Rodigan is no stranger to the shores of Bermuda.He described his first show at Horseshoe Bay in 1995 as one of his most memorable career moments as thousands of music supporters came out to hear him play Bob Marley’s ‘Natural Mystic’.Perhaps that’s why Mr Rodigan, a host on Kiss FM — London’s first 24-hour dance music station agreed to play at two events over the weekend.Tonight he will be the headliner of Vibe 103’s The Beast — Old School Dance at Snorkel Park from 8pm. Tomorrow night he will DJ alongside dance hall artist Tony Matterhorn at the Ravin Mix Party at Snorkel Park.Mr Rodigan, 61, said: “Bermuda has a special magic. It’s a beautiful Island definitely, perhaps Bermudians take it for granted, but I always appreciate the beauty here.“Bermudians are also passionate about their music and that is reflected in the way they respond. I love to play for them because they really do appreciate the music.”To show his gratitude to local supporters he has several surprises in store for this weekend. He got permission from reggae star Damien Marley’s record label to show the world premiere of his new video ‘Never Stand A Chance’.He will also perform tonight alongside Bitty McLean, who he described as a “magnetic, brilliant vocalist, with a big fan base”.Mr Rodigan developed a passion for Jamaican music as a schoolboy in the UK, after watching Millie Small perform her 1964 hit ‘My Boy Lollipop’.He was professionally trained as a disc jockey by the BBC in 1978. Since then he has toured around the world; in April he took home the title at the World Clash session in New York.Although he has battled against everyone from Rory of Stone Love to Tony Matterhorn, Mr Rodigan told The Royal Gazette there was still an element of excitement in clashing.“It’s a musical chess game and once you get into it does gather its own speed and momentum and can become rather exciting.“The thing I like about clashing is it introduces a discipline into your practice which perhaps doesn’t exist if you don’t have a clash. By that I mean a clash requires you to record very exciting new material to show you are up to speed and ahead of the game, so it’s a good discipline to have to do that occasionally.“It brings you up, draws you up, you have to get your core strength up again and go back to the studio and come up with ideas, so it’s very challenging.”Mr Rodigan said he is privileged to have been around during the golden era of reggae — when artists like Bob Marley and Bob Andy were still recording.He took a few moments to think about whether he had reached all his goals when it came to DJing.“I would say the goals that remain are to continue to seek and find new talent, which is exciting and challenging.”He remembered being at an airport in Kingston, Jamaica when entertainer PeeWee introduced him to local artist Collie Buddz.“He said ‘I want you to listen to this guy, I am working with him and I really think he has potential’. I listened to the track as was like ‘Oh my God’. I said ‘Who is this?’ and PeeWee said ‘this is a guy called Collie Buddz’. I said to him ‘I need the dub’.“[I am thrilled] to have played a part in championing someone like Collie Buddz. I am not saying because he is from Bermuda, but because he is an enormous talent and has been able to bring something new and fresh to the music.“I will keep going as long as I can continue to find joy and excitement in discovering new artists to champion, because everyone needs to be championed. It’s difficult for an artist to champion himself or herself.”Two new artists he wants the world to know about are Indrani who he said “has the most haunting voice” and Jah9, whose songs ‘Mr Right’ and ‘Brothers’ are sure to be massive hits.Mr Rodigan was recently awarded an MBE by the Queen for his contribution to broadcasting. He said of the experience:“That was almost indescribable. As much [for] the thrill of being recognised for my contribution to broadcasting, but also to the recognition shown to the music I have loved all my life which is reggae in all its forms.“So for me it was a double whammy. To go to Buckingham Palace with my wife and two sons and to receive the award from the Prince of Wales was also very special.”He sometimes thinks about whether he might retire and put down the mic, but said whenever he gets around a radio or on a stage the excitement rushes back.“I kind of almost can’t help myself,” he said. “As long as the phone keeps ringing and people want to see me play music and share it then I will continue to do so, because really there is no difference between me and the guy in the front row, because if I wasn’t on the stage I would be in the front row.“I still love going to dances, still love the feeling of dance and love listening to music. I consider myself very fortunate and privileged to be given the opportunity to do what I do.”He recently played in front of hundreds of reggae fans in Pisa, Italy. To see scores of Italians “going crazy” for reggae music brought him a lot of joy, he said.When he is not performing, he spends time with his family, reads and enjoys swimming.But his legacy will always be his undeniable passion for music.He wants to show people that music is a force for change, that it can inspire people when they need to be lifted and provide them with an escape.“It brings people together and creates unity in its positive elements. There are negative elements in all forms of music and in reggae music, which I don’t enjoy and don’t champion.“But essentially if you take a song like ‘Could You Be Loved?’ by Bob Marley ... it epitomises what music can do to lift the soul. And in this world that we are living we need forms of escape because sometimes the world throws stuff at us that is very hard to cope with.“Music has always allowed us a way to find peace and tranquility and inspiration.”He hopes people attend this weekend’s events simply because they share his love of music. Mr Rodigan said: “Sometimes I feel like I am still 16; like it’s still the summer of 1967, I still have flowers in my hair and the Beatles are playing ‘All You Need is Love’.“For that reason, the joy of music, is why they need to be there. Because I love it and in my heart I am still a young boy.”Tickets $30 in advance and $40 at the door, are available at Jamaican Grill, iClick and Audio Visual.