WHO Toronto has long-time jungle and drum ‘n’ bass hero Kenny Ken to thank for first bringing ragga breakbeats to this city in 1992. Instrumental in the development of the UK scene, he first started DJing acid house and garage at small parties and raves called Labrynth and Crazy Club in 1989. Habitually hanging out at “in-crowd” parties where DJs like Grooverider, Fabio, Tony Wilson, Paul Oakenfold and Carl Cox used to play, Kenny Ken left his day job (after consistently heading straight there from after-hours parties) to DJ full time. He went on to win the legendary old-school Jungle Soundclash in ‘94, play at the renowned AWOL parties every week and produce his first records, including the classic “Everyman” on Rugged Vinyl. After numerous releases on labels including Jungle Fashion Records, Dreamscape and Ministry of Sound, Kenny Ken started Mix and Blen’ recordings. By 2002, he and his sidekick DJ Mace expanded the label and rounded up a new generation of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass DJs with Planet Funk Recordings (which just last summer took fans back to the underground warehouse vibe of ’89 with a “history of” mix on their Planet Funk Podcast). Most recently, Kenny Ken released new mixes of “Everyman” (featuring Benny Page) on Mix and Blen’ as well as the single “Murder You” on his other label, Monitor. In the midst of a tour touching down in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and then Spain, Kenny Ken makes his long-awaited return to Toronto this weekend.

WHAT “All kinds of music inspires me, but I’m most inspired by reggae,” says Kenny Ken, whose best DJing experience is “being able to make people dance until they drop.”

WHERE Return of the Titans with MC Fearless, Bryan Gee, Mystical Influence, Ryan Ruckus, and more. Fri, Feb. 29. Tonic Nightclub, 117 Peter. $25, doors 10pm.

FAVOURITE RECORD OF ALL TIME “Salsa House” by Richie Rich.

FAVOURITE RECORD RIGHT NOW “I haven’t got a favourite record right now because there’s so much good music out there.”

WHAT IS YOUR WEIRDEST DJING EXPERIENCE? “Walking into a packed nightclub in Louisville, then just as I start my set, the club empties out. All those under age had to leave at midnight, which was when my set started.”

WHAT IS VITAL TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? “My computer.”

WHAT GLOBAL ISSUE CONCERNS YOU MOST RIGHT NOW? “There are so many that I would not know where to start.”

WHAT IS YOUR RING TONE RIGHT NOW? “DJ Roll Call” by Charlie Chaplin.

WHAT IS THE LAST GREAT FILM YOU SAW? “American Gangster.”

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC? “Chris Tucker.”

WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? “Not reading anything right now.”

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