Here is the first episode of our new mini Interview series titled, Who am I? With this series we want to introduce to you some of our friends & colleagues from around the industry, people who’s music or projects we like and some newcomers as well. To kick thing’s off we have legendary Canadian, but I think we should let him tell you who he is!
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is A-Trak, I’m a world champion DJ, producer and remixer, and I also co-own Fool’s Gold records.
How did you start doing what you do?
When I was 13 I tried to scratch a record and got instantly hooked. Next thing you know when I was 15 I won the DMC world championship and that kick-started my career.
Name 3 tracks that inspired you:
Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince “Live at Union Square”
KRS-One “KRS-One Attacks” (DJ Premier of course)
Beastie Boys “So What Cha Want”
What would be your advice to up and coming creatives?
Find what it is that makes your different and focus on that, enhance that. Find your voice, because there’s more people than ever trying to get their break right now. And do it because you love it, it has to be sincere.
What is your favorite piece of gear?
I have a Moog Voyager. Probably the best piece of gear I own. But I won’t lie, I rarely use it. I produce everything in Logic. I’m sure I’ll keep it my whole life though.
What can we expect next from you?
My group Duck Sauce (with Armand Van Helden) has a new single out, called “Big Bad Wolf”. We have an album coming in 2012. Meanwhile I’ve got a bunch of tracks and remixes coming on the solo tip too. My label Fool’s Gold is always putting out quality music, and we also opened up a shop in Brooklyn. Come by and visit anytime.
You can find more info about A-Trak on his website www.djatrak.com. Also make sure you check out www.foolsgoldrecs.com to check out his very dope label Fools Gold.
“House music all night long!” That’s the chorus I used to hear on the regular that got me crunk about House Music. Based out of Chicago, House music was a street genre that would rival and often match Hip-Hop in popularity during the 1990s. House is the hybrid of Disco and the father to what we know today as dance or rhythm music: think Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, or Lady Gaga.
Melissa Young, known by many as “Kid Sister,” is an artist out of the Chi. Very down to earth and around the way, home girl first grabbed my attention back in 2007 with the cut “Pro Nails.” A fast and braggadocios hipster cut, “Pro Nails” featured Kanye West, giving it more points towards classic status. I recently chopped it up with Kid Sister to talk about what cranks her up, what’s on her plate, and Kid Sister…teacher?
DJ JELLY: Alright now! Where in the world does this Kid Sister name come from?!
KID SISTER: My brother chose it for me. He was going to do a whole scratch routine using the song from the “Kid Sister” commercials. He never did it but maybe one day…ONE DAY! [laughs].
JELLY: Who are your musical influences?
KID SISTER: Halloween haunted house cassettes and Frankie Beverly featuring Maze.
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After hearing and getting down with rapper Rittz’s “White Jesus” I got him and the producer of the tracks DJ Burn One to sit down and chop it up with me about their careers, creative processes, and why Rittz feels he has “Nowhere to Run.”
DJ Jelly: Rittz what’s happening with you, man? The mixtape dropped. Does that mean it’s tour time or are you going straight to the studio?
Rittz: We’re trying to go on a Slumerican Tour this Fall. Me, Yelawolf, and Shawty Phat are headlining. Right now I’m just trying to make this video for “High Five” which is probably the next step for trying to push it on the radio. I’m just trying to get more shows until I can get on the road, too. I haven’t been out there performing like I should. I’m trying to hit it hard, though.
DJ Jelly: That “High Five” had me turnt all the way up, man!
Rittz: (Laughs). That’s the one, man. Everyone’s feeling it for the most part as far as the song with the most impact so far. Hopefully we can make the video dope and start pushin’ it too.
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