DJ Krush: Japanese DJ 2 Part Video Interview

Part 2 - DJ Krush Interview

Spin Earth gives us an in-depth interview with Japan's DJ Krush recorded back in January 2009.

DJ Krush London, UK Date Announced

via the press release

The Sensai returns to London for a solo show set to expand the minds of anyone in the vicinity of the Electric Ballroom, following on from the battle with his protege Kentaro in October where to most present he maintained his place on the top of the turntablist ladder. With some exclusive tracks from the forthcoming new LP (out late 2010) this is a not-to-be-missed show for any fans of hip-hop, turntablism and musical progression!

DJ Krush is arguably the most gifted producer & DJ in the world with a superb sense in mixing and composing who's been lauded for years by both his domestic and the international audience. Probably the most revered and renowned Japanese musician alive; the very fact of this unprecedented esteem goes some way toward justifying his laurels alone.

Krush's introduction to hip-hop came like that of so many others, through the movie Wildstyle. But unlike most of us this single event inspired the young Krush to form a posse which immediately became the greatest in Japan where it remained until Krush went solo in '92, and on to even greater prestige.

He was also the first DJ to use turntables as live instruments, doing free sessions with live musicians on stage and comes at you in '08 as the battle hardened veteran of dance floor killing shows from here to Burkina Faso. Expect a live turntablism display unlike anything you have seen before.

For tickets, go here:
DJ Krush @ The Electric Ballroom

DJ Krush: Famed Japanese Hip Hop DJ, Producer Japan Times Interview

Japan Times: What do you feel has been your greatest achievement over the course of your 20-year career?

DJ Krush: There were a lot of difficulties, but I think the greatest achievement is that I've actually continued! I've never been able to speak English, but using my music there are people all over the world that are waiting for me. That is truly something incredible. In this way, I feel there are no boundaries — that there is a common empathy. And when I go to a country and my fans tell me, "We were waiting!" — when I hear this — I'm really glad that I'm doing this.

Japan Times: What exactly inspired you when you first saw "Wild Style"?

DJ Krush: I really liked music, and was in a band in junior high school, but I couldn't find the type of music I really wanted to do. In "Wild Style," things are utilized that you can find at home, like a turntable and records, and my father had records, so it seemed like something I could do straight away. And also, I could get a real feeling of the street off it.

Japan Times: How did you "become" a DJ? Obviously you weren't taught . . .

DJ Krush: There was absolutely no information in those days, and now there are things like DJ school! There was nothing like that back then, so I bought the video and watched a DJ scratching on repeat. I tried to figure it out like that and that was how I learned. At the time you couldn't buy the kind of mixers that they were using in the film, so I ended up buying a totally different mixer, which I remember really struggling with.

Japan Times: And were you doing hip-hop from the start?

DJ Krush: I was listening to 1970s and '80s funk and rock, and then slowly incorporating hip-hop.

Japan Times: How long did it take for you to develop your own DJing style?

DJ Krush: I'm still looking for it, even though I've been DJing for 20 years now.

Japan Times: How has the Japanese hip-hop scene developed over the years?

DJ Krush: I'm not really all that interested in the mainstream scene which is saturated with commercialism, but I really get the impression that there has been an increase in DJs and talented young people who want to manifest their own individuality and who have developed their own originality. Initially, hip-hop was a culture that was born in America, right? So the scene was imitating that. As the years went on, people started developing a sense of originality, an individuality that only they had. Not only DJs, but also rappers who were rapping in Japanese. I saw an increase in young people reflecting on things that were actually happening in their own country, not just copying gangs with guns.

Japan Times: You tour a lot with DJ Kentaro, but who are the other notable up-and-coming DJs in Japan.

DJ Krush: Oh, there are many now, but Kentaro won the DMC DJ championships (in 2002, aged 20), so I really think he has a certain groove that only he is capable of. I think Japanese are quite talented, so I really hope from now on that there are young people who want to participate on an international level.

Japan Times: Is your music more popular overseas than locally?

DJ Krush: I go overseas a lot, so maybe the level of recognition is higher overseas.

Japan Times: Why is that?

DJ Krush: I really feel the way that the crowd that accepts you abroad is slightly different than in Japan. They decide what they like and what they think is good for themselves, whereas in Japan, they don't make their own decisions; it's more like someone tells them it's good. If it's on TV that a CD is good, or if everyone says that it's good, they go out and buy it; they don't make their own selections.

Japan Times: People who meet you say you are really modest. Is it important to keep a humble attitude?

DJ Krush: Yeah, I don't really like the "me, me" attitude, and I can't really understand it. I wonder why people end up like that? Before that happens, I really think I have so much to do because people are really watching. I just think that I have a long way to go and that I haven't become the king yet.

Japan Times: Is it necessary to not feel satisfied as an artist?

DJ Krush: I really feel grateful to a lot of people that I have been able to come this far. For me to be able to go all over the world is really something I'm happy about, and there is more depth to music — it's so vast and free. So there is still a lot to pursue.

Read the full DJ Krush Interview here:
Japan Times - DJ Krush spins some tales

DJ Z-Trip Impromptu DJ Set At NAMM 2010

(photo courtesy of Andrew Youssef / Orange County Weekly)



DJ and mixologist DJ Z-Trip is seen here at the 2010 NAMM Show at the Rane Mixer booth demonstrating his seasoned skills on the decks Thursday, Jan. 14.

DJ Scratch Rants About Rappers Turn DJs

At last Friday's (Dec. 11) Flavors night with DJ Scratch that also included appearances by DJ Spinna and Stones Throw artist J Rocc at the Echoplex in LA, CA

Roc Raida 2008 Video Interview Footage Posted Online

Back in 2008 when 'Grandmaster' Roc Raida was in Perth, Western Australia he sat down for a chat with Cut & Paste.

Roc Raida R.I.P., you are missed.

Jay-Z's Tour DJ Neil Armstrong Video Interview

courtesy of Love Soul TV

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows Us His Turntable Skills

From Questlove's twitter page, recorded during soundcheck DJ Jazzy Jeff rockin' the turntables with L.L. Cool J's "Rock The Bells."

DJ Spinna: NYC In-Store & Album Release Party Scheduled

DJ Spinna 'Sonic Smash' out July 21 on High Water Music

(via press release)

Renowned super producer DJ Spinna is ready to wreck some eardrums with his latest release, Sonic Smash. After working with legends such as former Temptation Eddie Kendricks, famed jazz artist/vibraphonist Roy Ayers, and prolific Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes, Spinna gets back to his hip-hop roots.

Sonic Smash features a smorgasbord of talented emcees: Little Brother's Phonte, Elzhi of Slum Village, Torae, and others contribute verses. Elzhi gets busy on "More Colors," working in a clever American flag metaphor. South Florida rapper Dynas shows off his mic skills on the spacey "More." If Aldous Huxley was into hip-hop, this would be Brave New World's theme song.

The bulk of the artists on Sonic Smash are relatively unknown. Newbies (and label mates) Fresh Daily, P.Casso, and Homeboy Sandman hold their own on "Get on Down", the thumping cymbals and horns push the verses along with the pomp of a polished marching band. Newcomer and Atlanta native Señor Kaos proves he has chops on "Call me Señor," his lyrics floating effortlessly over Spinna's jazzy piano key melody.

Sonic Smash's 14 well-crafted tracks showcase DJ Spinna's legendary production expertise. The album drops on July 21 on High Water Music.

Check out the first single from Sonic Smash, "New York" featuring Jigmasters.

DJ Spinna feat. Jigmasters "New York"

DJ Spinna In-Store CD Signing at Fat Beats & Release Party at Southpaw BK

FATBEATS NYC IN-STORE:

Monday, July 20th
7pm
406 Avenue of The Americas
NY, NY 1001

DJ SPINNA ALBUM RELEASE PARTY AT SOUTHPAW (BROOKLYN):

Tuesday, July 21st
10pm
125 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Special Guest DJ's Include: DJ Premier :: DJ Scratch

Performing Live: Sadat X :: Jigmasters :: Fresh Daily :: Any Many More

For More Information:

http://www.myspace.com/djspinnafrombrooklyn