DJ Krush interview
We had a quick chat with the Japanese hip hop turntablist who’s entering his twentieth year in the game. Undeniably a legend of the scene. He’s coming over to the UK this month to celebrate with us the two decades he’s dedicated to hip hop music and the art of turntablism. The party is gonna be hosted by Soundcrash music - as one of our favourite promoters this night is looking to be nothing short of incredible. As usual always want you guys to have the chance to experience the music we love so we’ve got a competition on too - check out our competition page for more info. And in the meantime take a look at what DJ Krush has to say prior to the upcoming massive party of his on the 28th January.
Get on to www.soundcrashmusic.com for tickets and more info on the night.
What do you think about your title as one of the most influential people in electronic music and hip hop?
It pleases me for sure, but I'm still growing and have so many ideas to be materialised yet.
How would you define your music? Do you label yourself as playing a certain genre of music? Or do you prefer not to be grouped into one genre?
It doesn't belong to any particular genre. It's just the mixture of all kind of things influenced me and can't be pigeonholed. If I must describe it in a term, it's just DJ Krush. Although I've been producing various type of tracks, all of them just sounds like anything but ‘DJ Krush’.
What is the hip hop and turntablism scene like in Japan?
It's becoming more familiar to everyone in Japan nowadays. It's true that some media don't know its roots and made some people misunderstand what it really is about, but original and inspiring artists do exist there including DJ Kentaro & KIREEK who won DMC 5 years in row. They're the roll model for younger generation, and there's a very positive mood about it.
How do you feel music differs in the UK from Japan?
The audience in UK is more active and always looking for things they've never heard of before. Japanese people used to be bit too reserved even in nightclubs, but it's been changing a lot recently.
Have you been travelling much recently?
Although I didn't play as much as usual last year, I still traveled more than 15 countries and had many fruitful experiences.
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences whilst being involved in a Japanese gang before you started making music?
I was young and desperately looking for a place for me. I just didn't know what I want to do, and maybe I was trying to isolate myself from others by being violent.
Has your style changed at all since your first album Krush?
People might think I've changed a lot because none of my albums sounds similar to each other. I actually consider I haven't changed at all though. I've been doing just whatever I want to all the time, and I don't mind whatever people might call it.
You recently had your 20th anniversary show in Tokyo... That must have been a very special event for you?
I played a seven hour set for the first time in ages, and it was so much fun indeed! I'm looking forward to the three hour set in London for the first time in Europe too. It's going to be the mixture of my classic style and the new direction.
What can expect in the future of DJ Krush? Is there anything new you’ve got planned?
I've been releasing digital singles monthly since last September as a part of my 20th anniversary project, and it'll continue ‘til this summer. These won't be included in the next album so check them out. Also the vinyl which include the first 3 releases of the digital single series will be available exclusively at my shows. It won't be distributed nor re-pressed, so it'll be quite rare stuff. The next studio album is on its way too of course, and I'm hoping to release it by the summer. Besides all, I'm looking forward to going on tour and playing in over 40 cities all over the world until the end of April.
Might as well say it just one more time - get down to DJ Krush’s 20th anniversary show on the 28th of January at The Forum and enter the competiton too - don’t sleep on this one!
For your chance to WIN 1X PAIR of tickets- just tell us how long DJ Krush has been playing for and send your answer to competitions@guestlist.net
