I couldn’t think of a better way to start off this site than a interview with Triad based DJ, DJSK. Having been in the game for 16 years, he has kept crowds moving from the Carolinas to California with appearances in New York, Florida and Chicago as well. Along with numerous radio appearances, SK has a strong influence in the south eastern B-Boy scene. So I sat down with SK and asked him a few questions…
Sceneless City:
What influenced you to be come a dj?
DJSK:
I grew up with my parents owning a Disco in the late 70’s and Early 80’s in Michigan. My brothers who were in their teens and twenties when I was young, all DJed at the club. The economy went bad and we moved to New Jersey after my parents lost their club. As Hip-Hop became more popular I started to hear all the songs of my early childhood being sampled and reworked and I wanted to be a part of that, It started with B-Boying and Rapping and developed into DJing.
Sceneless City:
For those who don’t know, what crews are you with?
DJSK:
Red Bull Music Academy(www.redbullmusicacademy.com), JukeBox Heroes(www.weareyourheroes.com, and Kaos Mathematics(www.kaosmethematics.com)
Sceneless City:
What exactly is the Red Bull Music Academy?
DJSK:
For those that don’t know, if you’re accepted into the academy, you’re treated to a two week trip to London (previous cities include Melbourne, Toronto, Seattle, and Barcelona among others) to eat, sleep, and breathe music. You’ll have access to record music and collaborate with the other applicants that make it in, as well as hear some great musicians speak about the craft. Throw in the fact that red bull is covering all the expenses, and you can see why this opportunity is so great. www.redbullmusicacademy.com
Sceneless City:
What style/s do you spin?
DJSK:
Hip-Hop and alot of other styles but I play them all from a Hip-Hop DJs perspective.
Sceneless City:
The geek in me has to ask, what’s your current setup?
DJSK:
2 Technics 1200’s, Rane ttm56 Mixer, Ortofon Scratch Head Shell Mounted Needles, Serato Scratch Live, Mac Power Book, Sony Headphones, and a Pioneer efx-500.
Sceneless City:
If you had to list your top 5 tracks, what would they be?
DJSK:
This question is imposable to answer. I can’t narrow it down to 5 or even 100. It all depends on the situation, I have a different choices for riding in the car then I do for peak hours at a club. Music is very in the moment and my list changes all the time.
Sceneless City:
I am going to narrow down this next music question down because I am curious to know. What song is your biggest guilty pleasure?
DJSK:
“Don’t stop believing” Journey DJ Eli edit. The song is over played but in the right situation it brings the house down.
Sceneless City:
O.K., I have to ask the next question for the record nerd in me, what was the first record you ever bought?
DJSK:
My first record was one I won, a Suicidal Tendencies LP at the board walk in Sea Side Heights, NJ. The first record I bought was The Fat Boys “Jail House Rap”.
Sceneless City:
Do you still have the Suicidal Tendencies LP?
DJSK:
No,it is long gone.
Sceneless City:
The first time I saw you open up for someone was Talib Kweli, who else have you shared the stage with?
DJSK:
Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Redman, Common, Del the Funky Homosapien, Wu-Tang Clan, Babu, Rhettmatic, D-Styles, Faust, CampLo, KRS-ONE, J-Live, El da Sensei, Amiri Baraka, Gil Scott-Heron, Anthony Hamilton and many more.
Sceneless City:
If you can pick one act to go on tour with, who would it be?
DJSK:
I was considered for the position of Anthony Hamilton’s tour DJ and his label decided they didn’t want to pay for it so I did not get the job. That would have been the one Because I would have been part of the band and get to warm the crowd up before shows. Sad it did not work out.
Sceneless City:
With 16 years behind you, what was your most memorable moment?
DJSK:
I would have to say backing Camp Lo. It was kind of surreal, I love their music and had been a fan and then all of the sudden I’m their DJ!
Sceneless City:
Along with the good must come the bad, what was your worst moment while djing?
DJSK:
My friend asked me to DJ his sisters 21st B-Day and I was like cool. I was thinking lots of NC State students plus a good venue should equal fun. Wrong. Mad old people and the lamest group of college kids I have ever seen! All they wanted to hear was Beach Music and I am A Hip-Hop/Club DJ. Needless to say we didn’t get along and it was the longest 4 hours of my life!
Sceneless City:
I know I have received this next question many times, what is the stupidest question asked while djing?
DJSK:
“Will you play something I can dance to?” and the floor is packed and the place is going nuts.
Sceneless City:
Besides your residencies, what projects do you have in the works?
DJSK:
I am working on mix tapes for Myself as well as Mr. Mo Hollins and the Urban Sophisticates.
Sceneless City:
The whole idea behind my site is to help elevate the local scene. What does this area need in order to accomplish this?
DJSK:
Understanding. People need to let the entertainers do what they do. Not cross there arms and moan and piss cause we are not playing the top 5 song on the radio. Free your mind and your ass will follow!
You can catch DJSK playing many dates in the Triad and along the East Coast. Check out DJSK’s Facebook page Facebook / Jodi Kimball for more information or e-mail him at: djsk@redbullmusicacademy.com
Big thanks goes out to DJSK for taking time out of his busy schedule for this interview…
