DJ Transform [Prolific Profile]

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Posted Jan 28th, 2012 by @AmaliaJude | 1 Comment

Calgary, AB – For over a decade, DJ Transform has been holding Calgary down as one of their premier DJs. Find out more about DJ Transform after the jump, including what his fans can expect from him next.

djtransform

HipHopCanada: How do you define hip-hop, and where do you feel you fit into that definition?

DJ Transform: Hip Hop gave birth to the four elements in the late 80s, early 90s and now they are all grown up.

Breakdancing moved out and is living common law with funk. They have a good relationship with Hip Hop.

DJing married beatmaking and they had 3 kids, Turntablism, Hype man, and Party Rocker. They also have a good relationship with hip hop.

Graffiti moved out, but is still single and getting around! Funk, rock, hip hop, punk, drum and bass, dubstep, you name it, graffiti’s does it all. Graffiti and Hip Hop’s relationship has been a little diluted, but it’s still there on holidays and special occasions.

MCing still lives at home in Hip Hop’s basement. MCing dated Rock and Heavy Metal, but it didn’t work out. At least Mcing pays rent, owns a nice wip and pays regular child support to beat boxing.

Personally, I started hanging out with DJing and Beatmaking just after they got married. I considering them both and all their kids good friends.

HipHopCanada: What drives you to stay in a business that is rarely profitable and highly competitive?

DJ Transform: There are two ways to influence the direction Hip Hop takes: 1. Buy music from and support artists that are making the music you want to hear. 2. Make the music you want to hear. I love this culture and I’m doing both.

HipHopCanada: Where are you based specifically?

DJ Transform: Calgary, Alberta.

HipHopCanada: How has living there influenced your sound?

DJ Transform: “We are not all cowboys” – Transit & Jann Arden

HipHopCanada: Who is your primary fan base?

DJ Transform: For years I built a DJ Mix podcast called the Midnight Prophets Podcast. We had several DJs contributing mixes and ramped up world wide subscribers to 14k+ at the peak. My man Mike G is still posting syndicated mixes he creates for the Hype Radio Network. My mixes were focused on beats and rhymes that had evolved out of the golden era hip hop and maintained a positive, thought provoking and/or straight funky content. Always clean. I gained a fan base internationally through those mixes. I’m hoping they follow me as I show the world my production side and work with MCs I used to play on the podcast. Back then I went by “Transform 12.2” if you’re looking for those mixes on the net.

HipHopCanada: What tips would you give young artists coming up, or what do you wish someone would have told you when you first started out in the hip-hop industry?

DJ Transform: We are all called to give in unique ways. Figure out where you are called to give, and more importantly figure out why you are called to give. Build into your community and when someone starts to rise try to help push them up, don’t be crabs in a bucket. If you help someone get their project moving (in any way) and then get bitter that they didn’t let you ride their coat tail, then you’ve got the ‘why’ wrong. Eventually, if you are called to lead a movement, then learn what servant leadership is and go harder than an entrepreneur. Perfect your craft and learn about leadership and business. Not everyone is called to lead though. Figure out your calling and figure out that why! If you don’t get the why right you can have a successful career but miserable life.

HipHopCanada: In which ways do you interact with your community?

DJ Transform: I host DJ lots of Calgary hip hop shows, contribute beats to others projects and bring MCs on mine. I also teach DJ lessons privately and to at risk youth. My favorite interaction though, is a weekly scratch geek night I run out of my basement, where scratch DJ homies get together and jam just for the love of it.

HipHopCanada: Which artists have you worked with that left an impression on you, and why?

DJ Transform: The big homies of Dragon Fli Empire. I got mad love and respect for Cosm and TK. They are both humble, chill, grounded, positive dudes that make fresh music. It was exciting to watch them spread beyond Calgary.

HipHopCanada: Which Canadian artist would you most like to collaborate with?

DJ Transform: Shad K, a long shot given his response on your collab question last year, but that just means I know it’s divine if it comes together.

HipHopCanada: Tell us about past and present successes, as well as future projects?

DJ Transform: I’m excited to be dropping my first 3P in the “anti conformity” series featuring Playdough (Texas), Transit (Calgary) and A.O.N. (Calgary) on the mic, and me (DJ Transform) on the beats and cuts of course. This project will be available in online music stores January 31, 2012. My goal with the 3P series is to Introduce Canada to some of my favorite underground MCs, and shine light on some of the talented MCs here in Calgary.

I’m already working on the second “anti conformity” 3P. This one will feature Nii G (Calgary) and Joel Pleasant (Calgary), both founding members of the Freed Artists Society, and both really dope rhymers. I’m amped about the tracks these two are working on. I’m still working on the third MC for this 3P. I’ve been chatting with some really fresh MCs, one in NY and one in LA. I don’t want to say too much until it’s nailed down. In the meantime, give me a call Shad!

If you haven’t heard of my featured MCs get your google on, these dudes are all super dope.

HipHopCanada: Any last words for the HipHopCanada online community?

DJ Transform: Thanks for checkin my junk! The first of the anti conformity 3Ps will be available January 31, 2012, pick it up for $1.99. Please get at me online:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-Transform/143279842360367

Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/djtransform

Bandcamp: http://djtransform.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/djtransforminthecgy

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Posted by @AmaliaJude

Amalia Judith was born in Winnipeg, MB and quickly whisked away to a childhood of travel throughout California, England, Germany and predominantly Pakistan. In 2006 she completed an honor's degree in English Literature, which left her quite jobless and alone in East Van. Amalia cut her teeth at abortmag.com, Canada's darkest counter-culture magazine, moving on to contribute words and flicks to HipHopCanada: she's currently the Western Canadian Editor and has had the privilege to interview hip-hop icons like Lil' Kim, Drake, Dead Prez, Big Boi, Pharrell Williams and half of Wu-Tang. Amalia also works as a Key Worker educator and advocate for families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, as well as heading up Team Heartbreak, a media production company that pairs community involvement and artistic movements. She'd love to write you the best bio you've ever had or develop your branding strategy - www.teamheartbreak.com for more info.