You Don't Need a Dick to DJ
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'An icon of the UK dance scene . . . an essential story' GROOVE ARMADA
'She paved the way for so many women of colour in a male dominated industry on her own terms' HONEY DIJON
'So much more than an amazing DJ' DANNY TENAGLIA
Before she became Smokin Jo - one of the most influential DJs of her generation - Joanne Joseph grew up in a children's home with her sister and until her mother returned and whisked the siblings away, her life was devoid of music.
As she entered the turbulent years of adolescence, Jo found herself pulled towards Soho and the burgeoning underground acid house scene, instantly finding herself at home amongst other artists, musicians and misfits who breathed and survived on dance music and ecstasy. Her rise was meteoric as she became one of the most revered DJs of the British rave scene and in 1992, the only woman ever to be named DJ of the Year by DJ Magazine.
This raw, unflinching memoir of ambition, excess and survival tells a story of change, growth and determination. Filled with candid stories about fame, addiction and recovery, Jo writes about navigating a scene marked by misogyny, racism and homophobia. This is a powerful, unforgettable story from a true pioneer of rave culture.
'She paved the way for so many women of colour in a male dominated industry on her own terms' HONEY DIJON
'So much more than an amazing DJ' DANNY TENAGLIA
Before she became Smokin Jo - one of the most influential DJs of her generation - Joanne Joseph grew up in a children's home with her sister and until her mother returned and whisked the siblings away, her life was devoid of music.
As she entered the turbulent years of adolescence, Jo found herself pulled towards Soho and the burgeoning underground acid house scene, instantly finding herself at home amongst other artists, musicians and misfits who breathed and survived on dance music and ecstasy. Her rise was meteoric as she became one of the most revered DJs of the British rave scene and in 1992, the only woman ever to be named DJ of the Year by DJ Magazine.
This raw, unflinching memoir of ambition, excess and survival tells a story of change, growth and determination. Filled with candid stories about fame, addiction and recovery, Jo writes about navigating a scene marked by misogyny, racism and homophobia. This is a powerful, unforgettable story from a true pioneer of rave culture.
- Published: Jun 11 2026
- ISBN: 9781399615785
Press Reviews
- Skin (Skunk Anansie), OBE
Smokin' Jo is one of those rare talents that has the ability to taste the room and feed it what it wants. These skills have been her bedrock, her mis-used diamonds and her saviour allowing her to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of her self-incinerated decks. Smokin' Jo came from a time when the blokes ruled the DJ world, and still she rose to the peak of her profession through hard work, endurance, but mainly through raw talent. She's a legend and an Icon because of everything she's been through not despite it, as she had no choice other than to succeed, and succeed she did. Life with my dear friend Jo hasn't always been a box of chocolates, sometimes the box got a little messy, but it was always very sweet!
- Honey Dijon
Smokin Jo is a trailblazer and pioneer. She paved the way for so many women of colour in a male dominated industry on her own terms. Respect!
- Norman Jay OBE
Brains, beauty and plenty of deck skills - if I were a female DJ, I'd want to be Smokin Jo
- Groove Armada
An icon of the UK dance scene, and someone we were honoured to share Space Terrace duties with 'back in the day'. Smokin Jo is a brilliant DJ, a pioneer who blazed a trail for female DJs with impeccable musical taste, hers is an essential story
- Danny Tenaglia
Smokin Jo is so much more than an amazing DJ, she's the kind of person you truly enjoy being around. She brings the beats, the vibes, the love and that everlasting smile!
- Sister Bliss
I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but to me, those nights watching Jo work the crowd so effortlessly, was a lesson in perfection
- Carl Loben
One of the first prominent female DJs in the scene, Smokin' Jo is refreshingly honest about the highs and lows of the DJ world in this book, a thoroughly enlightening romp through the last 30+ years of European clubbing history
- Todd Terry
Jo is one of my favorrites: she's a true DJ.