May da force ...

Without his signature dreadlocks he looks like any normal guy. But as soon as he starts to speak, you realise that there's something different about him.

With his fun, outgoing personality and easy-going attitude, it's hard not to like Ricardo Lyte — otherwise known as DJ Ricardo Da Force (or to his friends, Ricky).

Pop star

He doesn't like to admit it, but the UK native is actually a pop-star. While fiddling with the bubbles in his tea he said: "I never tell people. I'm actually here in Dubai to get away and have a bit of a break to regroup and have some fun." So what pop-star status can he boast of?

Staying alive

Most people remember the remixed version of the hit song Staying Alive in 1995 by N-Trance. Ricardo was the rapper on that track. The song reached No 1 on the UK charts and is still a song played in clubs and at parties all over the world.

Ricardo was also once a member of KLF and made tracks such as Last Train to Trancentral and Justified and Ancient (Stand by The JAMs). But he was also touring.

"The last tour that I did was with Run DMC in Australia, and these guys once gave me their autographs when I was 15. That's why I started rapping. They are really amazing. I learned so much from them."

Best part

The bubbles had vanished as Ricardo began to dip his cookie vigorously in his tea while speaking of his music. "The best part for me, was that I was successful in something that I really enjoyed doing. And a lot of people also enjoyed my work. But I look forward now. I don't think too much about the past. What I'm going to do in the future, that's what's important to me."

Nevertheless, after much convincing, Ricardo, who is now the resident DJ at the Apartment Bar and Lounge at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, unleashed his talents for an exclusive moment and rapped a phrase from Staying Alive.

"So tell me can you feel the mad skills comin' with the fever, fever, fever..."

10 questions: Under your skin

1. Most embarrassing moment:
I have made some gaffes sometimes, but I don't get embarrassed easily. I do stupid things like accidentally letting a secret out about a surprise birthday party or something.

2. Zap yourself to which place on the planet right now:
Brazil. Carnival is just about to start, man!

3. Likes and dislikes of your body:
I dislike my six pack and my hard manly chest. I like the fact that my heart is working.

4. Favourite time of the day:
Night. I'm a night guy really. But I do enjoy getting up in the morning and looking out of my window to see camels and desert.

5. Three famous people, dead or alive, to have dinner with (at the same time):
Can I have five people? I need at least three women...Okay, I would choose Fidel Castro to discuss politics with. Denzel Washington to discuss my character portrayal in my biopic. And finally Meagan Good to discuss her stomping my yard.

6. What makes you laugh:
Innocent things. I laugh a lot and always make jokes. I laugh when women come up to me while I'm DJing and ask for Shakira songs.

7. Last day on earth to live:
I'd want to have dessert with my three famous people. And of course spend time with the people I love. I'd take the person I love to see the most beautiful sunset.

8. Bring to a deserted island:
Music. I would bring my iPod and eat records to survive.

9. Best and worst thing about Dubai:
Best: Incredible environment. So many different cultures in one place. I've never met so many people from other countries before. Worst: The miscommunication between those cultures because of the language barrier.

10. Final words:
"I think I've said enough."

Personal stats

Age: I can't tell you that! Old enough to know better.
Nationality: English.
Star sign: Taurus.
Food: Any food that's really good.
Film: European cinema. But I also like As Good as it Gets.
TV series: Sopranos and Lost.
Actor: Robert de Niro.
Music: Any kind that moves me.
Sexiest woman: All women have an ability to be sexy.
Breakfast today: Two eggs, sunny side up, toast and jasmine green tea.
Eggs should be: Scrambled. But there's nothing as satisfying as fried eggs, sunny side up.
Book: Oh, I haven't read in ages! But I used to read all of Tolkien's books.
Perfume: Kenzo. But I also use Hugo Boss and Aramis.
Country: That's too hard to answer. All countries are nice.
Sport: Football, man!
Car: Anything that moves. I'm not really a car person.
Season: Summer. When I heard that it was going to be the most brutal winter in years in the UK, I left. If you want to be cold, be cold on your own.
Introvert or extrovert: Extrovert. I'm very outgoing. I like communicating with people. I speak a lot. But when I DJ, I am more introverted.
Hero: Genghis Khan.