At a glance

Sheffield will honour DJ Legs Diamond, a 78-year-old who has been DJing for over 50 years, with a celebration event at SADACCA. Originally from Jamaica, Legs Diamond has been a significant figure in Sheffield's music scene, known for his diverse musical selections and community impact. The event, featuring other DJs and hosted by Cynthia Brooks, will celebrate his lifelong contribution to music and community cohesion.

Now 78, Legs Diamond says he began DJing in Sheffield in 1973. Born in Jamaica, he moved to the city at 16 and was a dancer and drummer before becoming a selector. His story takes in house parties, blues clubs and generations of people meeting on Sheffield’s dancefloors. “Music is my life,” he says.

His first booking came when a neighbour needed music for a family party after her radiogram stopped working. He bought speakers, built their boxes himself and put together a setup using an amplifier and a second-hand turntable from a shop on London Road. With no car, he carried the equipment and records to the house in two trips.

More than 50 years on, he is still busy playing, adapting his selection to the people in front of him. His musical range extends beyond reggae to soul, Motown and pop, with recent selections including Tom Jones, Bob Marley and the Beatles. “I want them to enjoy themselves and have fun,” he says.

For the celebration, he plans to play vinyl, CDs and digital selections, reflecting the changes he has worked through during his career. “I am going to bring some vinyl, because that’s where I started from,” he says.

The September celebration will see Legs Diamond joined by DJ Sensi, Benji Hype and Steel City Vybz, with Cynthia Brooks hosting the night. Taking place at SADACCA, the Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association, the event brings the celebration to a venue rooted in the city’s African Caribbean community. It will recognise a lifetime spent sharing music and bringing people together.

The Crowning of Legs Diamond runs from 10pm until late and is open to over-18s. Tickets are available via Skiddle, directly from the DJs and on the door.

Editorial insight

Sheffield’s decision to celebrate Legs Diamond’s five-decade DJ career highlights the city’s longstanding ties to Caribbean music and culture. While individual honours of this kind are typically local in scope, Legs Diamond’s story is closely linked to the evolution of Sheffield’s nightlife and the broader cultural contributions of its African Caribbean community.

The event at SADACCA not only acknowledges a personal milestone but also recognises the social spaces and musical traditions that have shaped the city’s identity. For those with an interest in Sheffield’s cultural history or the legacy of community venues, the celebration offers a rare opportunity to reflect on how music has brought generations together on local dancefloors.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Human interest

The Cultural Impact of DJ Legs Diamond on Sheffield’s Music Scene

Explore how Legs Diamond's 50-year career as a DJ influenced Sheffield's music culture, from house parties to dancefloors, and the role of African Caribbean music in shaping the city's nightlife.

Target audience culture reporters, arts and entertainment sections Story potential 8/10 Local/community

Sheffield’s African Caribbean Community and Its Influence on Local Nightlife

Investigate the role of the African Caribbean community in shaping Sheffield's nightlife, using DJ Legs Diamond's career as a focal point.

Target audience local newspapers, community-focused publications Story potential 7/10