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#Mixtape Review: DJ Instynctz ‘Street Khemistry 8: An Introduction to Kut’ @DJInstynctz @KutTBA

Posted: November 8, 2012 by jdobypr in #DJ, Hip Hop, Joint One, mixtape
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Japanese producer Kut teams up with DJ Instynctz for Street KhemistryDJ Instynctz and Kut the Producer team up to bring the worlds of U.S. and Japanese Hip Hop together.

In one of my Yahoo! Voices articles, I talked about Hip Hop still impacting music worldwide and Street Khemistry 8 just proves my point in a major way. Brought to the table by DJ Instynctz for his Street Khemistry series, Japanese producer Kut serves us a huge dose of verifiably real Hip Hop tracks, which act as the music bed for some of the most deadly delivery of lyrics by artists from two different continents.

Those in the know are already hip to DJ Instynctz and his insane mixtape compositions and as the official show DJ for rap artist Torch. Instynctz’s “Street Khemistry” series has blessed us with some of the cream of the crop in the world of Hip Hop.

DJ Instynctz was raised in the North East Bronx and was influenced by the sounds and styles of urban life in New York City. His curiosity led him to explore his older brother’s vinyl records and he became interested in Hip Hop. With his brother’s records and a belt drive turntable he fun a way to express himself creatively.

DJ Instynctz aka Mr Problematik Status can now be seen energizing a club with his diverse arsenal of genres, making the airwaves sizzle with signature mixes, exclusive interviews and quality mixtapes. He’s now one of the most sought after mixtape DJs with a growing catalogue.

Kut is a Hip Hop producer from Tokyo bay area of Japan. He started out in Tokyo spinning parties but soon he purchased his first sampler and began making tracks on his own. Shortly thereafter, he quit Djing in favor of production. Kut has spent time in various U.S. cities, absorbing the vibes and techniques from various studios including New York’s D&D Studios.

After returning to Japan, Kut took a break from production but that didn’t last long. MC Nyche from the Bronx had connected with Kut while he was in New York and when he got his distribution deal with Universal, he got with Kut to produce “Ziplock” feat. Cam’ron and Fred the Godson as a single from the album project. Now he’s produced and worked with the legends Marley Marl, Talib Kweli, and Fiend, in addition to Cam’ron Fred the Godson and more.

Kut produced 11 of the 17 tracks on DJ Instynctz’s Street Khemistry 8 including the aforementioned “Zip Lock” by Nyche.

One of my favorites from this set is track 8 “Friday Night” by Lil Lexy (Prod. by Kut), the driving beat and evil sounding synths are a magical match for Lexy’s singsong flow, she works really well with this joint.

On a whole other side of the coin is the old school snare and clap flavored “Thirst Cream” by Reynos (Prod. by Kut) which is track 8 of the mix. I was feeling track 3 “New Jap Swing” which is a mashup of some Rhianna vocals fit in between some cold ass riffs by Japanese Hip Hop Heads Knell, Naoya, and Dizzy Doeswell, DJ Instynctz CLOWNED ON THIS MIX!!!

I enjoyed the Japanese flavor to the familiar yet original grooves and I can’t for the life of me figure out how the hell they can make that language sound like it belongs to Hip Hop naturally! These cats are good!!!

If you have ever been to a underground set like Project Blowed in LA, Dragon’s Den (also LA) or the Wet Joint hosted by Joint One DJs, Joey Slick, DJ Kev and The Shuzz, then track 4 “Play on” (Prod. by Kut) by Gee Dubs is going to take you home with some real certified Hip Hop flavor, usually reserved for those exclusive underground spots.

Overall, this is one of the most original, solid mixtapes I have heard in a long time, while I won’t be corny and say I don’t have any favorites because the are all so good that I can’t pick, I AM going to #COSIGN this mixtape as one worth having and keeping.

You don’t have to understand all the words to appreciate the artists and production value…don’t trip Cam’Ron isn’t ripping in Japanese!!! This is a great mix and kept me rocking for 17 straight tracks…track 17 is actually a bonus track “The Jig’s Up” by Kwan Lee (Prod. by Kut). Yeah that one is special too…Kut brought out so many weapons on this track, I KNOW we are going to hear his name on the regular here in the States real soon.

In my opinion, there HAS to be a part 2, 3, 4….I couldn’t get enough of this mixtape…good stuff…trust me.

Follow@DJInstynctz and @KutTBA  on Twitter. Check out StreetKhemistry.com for some of the hottest joints, videos, etc,…DJ Instynctz and crew have got your daily fix!

DJ Instynctz can be heard live every Saturday from 8-9 pm EST on Swurvradio.com

RATING: 4/5 fists!

#Cosign? – YUUUUPPPP!!!


jd

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#Interview – Hip Hop Mixtape Royalty: Da’ Hitman

Posted: March 2, 2012 by jdobypr in #DJ
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Da' Hitman says: No Wack DJs AllowedAmong the current members of the Hip Hop DJ royal family is one of the South’s most prolific mixtape and touring masters of the mix and his name is…Da’ Hitman.  With multiple RIAA certified gold records and having hosted mixtapes for some of the new music elite, this Hip Hop celebrity mixer stays true to the real calling of the title. Da’ Hitman breaks records, gives artists the needed exposure to new fans and uses his radio platform as well as his social media presence like a true magician.

Music Industry changes have created a niche for DJs who specialize in the new version of the album…Mixtapes.  While there are several divisions of mixtapes, i.e. celebrity hosted compilations and single artist projects hosted by the mixing DJ, the overall effect is the same, Long Play (LP) albums are making a return albeit in a different format.

DJs who specialize in producing mixtapes and spinning live mixes to audiences are once again being considered music industry royalty.  Real DJs paying homage to the creators of the mix, cut and scratch elements of Hip Hop are now the one’s breaking records…again.

I was blessed to have Da’ Hitman carve out some time and give me one of the best interviews I have conducted with a Hip Hop personality in quite some time.

Who are your musical influences and why? As a DJ I give credit to Kool DJ Red Alert, Marley Marl, Funkmaster Flex – the DJs that kept me glued to a radio growing up.  I think I get my drive to be the first to break a record from their shows. They always broke new records and that was their draw (for me).  I would also have to mention Kid Kapri, Jazzy Jeff, Jam Master Jay and Scott La Rock…

When did you know you wanted to be a DJ? Every since I was 14 years old.  The reaction I got as a kid making mixtapes and spinning house parties then graduating to youth center dances and finally club gigs.  It’s that reaction I get from hearing a dope record for the first time and the reaction I get from people when they hear my twists to a mix.

What prompted you to venture into Mixtapes?  I was doing weekly radio shows and gigs and it just seemed like an easy transition to simply record what I was already doing and venture into another medium.  I started in late 2009, then built it up in 2010, but I think 2011 was really a breakout year for me.  I have to give a lot of credit to DJ Ykcor for grooming me in the mixtape hustle.  He basically mentored me through quite a bit of it.

What is your favorite part of performing/touring?  The crowds.  I love showing up at a venue and seeing a line at the door and knowing my name is on the flyers and the marque.  The REAL joy is getting it in on them turntables and hearing/seeing the reaction.  If I had to pinpoint a specific favorite of touring – crowd reaction, hands down.

What can your fans expect on the album you are currently pushing?  The total package.  I won’t endorse an album/artist unless I feel they are bringing something unique to the game and can deliver not only dope wordplay and lyrical acrobatics, but the production has to be the same.  If anyone see’s me cosign an artist/album they can be assured the music is honestly dope, but just as important – unique.

Where is the one place in the world you would love to perform at and why?  I keep saying this over and over but it still hasn’t happened – BRAZIL! I have to gig in Brazil before I die.  Everything I see and hear about Brazil just screams good times and great memories.  If I’m going to have women flashing their tits at me in the booth – I would LOVE for those to be Brazilian women lol

Tell us about the best part of what you do?  I dig in crates weekly to find breaks, clips, samples, etc. then twist those gems into the mix under today’s music.  I actually mix and I’m fanatical about that.  It’s disgusting to me when I hit play on a so-called “mixtape” and there is no MIX.  I embrace music from both Indies and majors and roll them side-by-side.  Actual real DJ skills I think is really my identity.  When I do drop a mixtape I get it in with promoting the mixtape and I think that separates me from a lot of other DJs too.  A lot of DJs drop a mixtape and just spam it out over twitter and Facebook.  I post all of my mixtapes to more than 10 different mixtape sites, then push it out to blogs, ning sites, music related websites, e-zines/magazines, newspapers, and apparently forgotten by man – THE STREETS.  You have to get those mixtapes actually out in the streets to really reach an actual audience as opposed to a huge following of other DJs and artists on the social networking sites.

What do you think of today’s musical trends?  I think there is a shift brewing from all the trap music.  People are beginning to open up to a more musical sound and finally unique styles are standing out.  I think female artists are seriously on a push to really make a mark in 2012.  Kalenna, Guyana, Jazzy, Nikki Grier, Yenkho Aiko, Cocoa Sarai, Precious Paris, Kim Joyce…  I also think that the more lyrical artists are FINALLY accepting production that is current and allowing their lyrical gifts to reach a broader audience.

Any upcoming appearances?  March 5th premier of my Unique Styles Show on IceBreakerRadio.com with my co-host Kittie (from VH1′s “Lets Talk About Pep”), March 7th SWAC Basketball Tournament (Eclipse is performing at halftime of the 8pm game), SXSW, Core DJ Retreat (now called MixShowLive 2012) in May.

Any advice for upcoming artists?  Be prepared to put in the necessary work AFTER you finish recording.  Make sure your music is labeled properly.  Get yourself set up so that you can record drops and do mixtape hosting right from your home (this really only takes a cheap desktop Mic and plain old windows media sound recorder).  Once you have your single picked out – get a full DJ service pack prepared and have it available at a moment’s notice.  Never deny a DJ’s request to push a record from your album because you had picked out a different record to push as a single.  Let those DJs do what they do best – break your records.  Network, network, and network EFFECTIVELY.  Twitter works great if used effectively.  SPAMMING DJS YOUTUBE LINKS IS NOT EFFECTIVE!  Last but probably most important, when a DJ puts your music in the mix on radio, a mixtape, or in the clubs – PROMOTE IT HEAVY.  If your name and your music is driving feedback and requests or even simple comments and tweets, a DJ is a LOT more likely to keep you in the mix.  You are good for business for the DJ which is good for the business of breaking YOUR MUSIC.

Where can your fans find more info?  I’m constantly adding content to my website www.dahitman.com with new mixtapes, new music, album reviews, etc.  I’m usually pretty active on twitter too (@DAHITMAN).

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