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Toronto,
ON - There are some DJs that only play tunes so
that they attract the attention of big record
label executives. Others play tracks that are
pre-selected for them by unseen forces behind
the scenes. These DJ's usually spin like they
are puppets with strings attached to them that
control every single one of their joints. DJ Wikked
on the contrary just doesn't give a damn! He takes
risks with his choice of music, whether it be
at a party or his radio show or simply on one
of his many mix- CD's. He forces industry suits
to follow the sounds of the streets talking. He
makes the streets feel his real grimy mixes well
after that party's shut down. He is definitely
opening up shop, blowing up spots, glocking his
turntables', ready to "Scar-town stick up"
all the haters! Get ready y'all for the one and
only DJ Wikked
HHC:
So tell us a little about yourself, how did you
get your name? Where you from?
I'm from Southside Scarborough (Danforth and Eglinton).
Basically I've lived there all my life. When I
was coming up, older dudes in my neighborhood
used to call me Wikked, cause of fucked up shit
that I used to do when I was younger.
HHC: When did you start
DJing? How did you get started? Who inspired you?
I started off playing at house parties like in
'95 and didn't play in clubs till like '96. I
used to rent a room in a house [with a DJ who
rented] the basement. I [broke] into his studio
when he was at work and would fuck around with
his equipment. He realized that someone was fucking
with his shit. I basically told him [then] that
I was using up his shit. Instead of getting pissed
off he said, "Aiight then show me what you
can do!" After that the rest is history.
I guess all the shitty ass DJs that I used to
listen to back then inspired me [to DJ]. I always
knew I could rock a party crazier than them.
HHC: What still inspires
you to be in the game?
Other DJs inspire me. I feel that a lot of DJs
are caught up in playing bullshit. Some of them
don't have the balls to play what ever the fuck
they wanna play. It's like they don't want to
take the risk in playing different shit. I guess
I wanna be that guy that takes the risk.
HHC: Where can people hear
you spin?
I work for a lot of top promoters in the
city. So I like to jump from one club to another
every week, but you can catch me every Monday
night 12 am - 3 am Project Bounce 89.5 FM.
HHC: What do you want to
bring to your fans when you spin?
Real street Hip-hop nah mean! Depending
on the crowd and whatever party it is. My attitude
is like no matter how many DJs are on the bill,
whether I'm first, second, third or forth. When
my set is done the party is over!
HHC: How did you link up
with Project Bounce?
I was asked by a close friend to fill in for [him]
on Project Bounce. I guess Nation was feeling
the shit so he asked me and my man's to come up
with a show name and concept and "SCARTOWN
STICK-UP" was born!
HHC: Apart from Project
Bounce what are you involved with? Any other night/shows
we can hear you on?
I do shows for certain Canadian rap artists such
as Citizen Kane and Califate. When it comes to
clubs, I do the biggest Carribana party every
summer at the Guverment. The promoters for that
event also book me for various events they hold
in the GTA.
HHC: What artists have you
DJ'd for in the past? Any experiences you'd like
to share?
I went on a National tour with Citizen
Kane and learned a lot about the game. I was featured
in the "Raisin' Kane: a Rapumentary."
The camera crew followed us everywhere that was
something I wasn't used to.
HHC: What's your most memorable
DJing experience?
I got a lot, but one off the top of my head would
be when I was on tour with Citizen Kane. We were
at some after party in London. I didn't have any
records and smashed the party by using the other
DJ's records. I ended up playing most of the night
and got paid for it too!
HHC: What do you think of
the current state of Hip-hop industry in Canada?
Right now its aiight! There are a lot of artists
coming out and there are a lot more outlets for
these artists to showcase their shit. But to give
you my personal opinion, I think it sucks because
everybody thinks they're better than everyone
else. So not a lot of people are getting the support
they need [in order] to get to the next step.
HHC: What do you think needs
to be changed?
There is way too much that needs to be changed,
but we're definitely heading in the right direction.
I think our city needs to support more artists
[from] our city, so when they blow other artists
will follow. But if everyone [hates] on everybody
we're gonna stay in a deadlock for a long time.
HHC: What do you think of
the current state of Hip-hop in Toronto?
It's crazy right now because when I was coming
up you would never see billboards or hear commercials
on radio stations promoting Toronto artists. But
now it's all up in your face, so to me the major
labels and the independent labels have definitely
shown their support for Toronto Hip-hop. I just
wish that the people in our city would show the
same type of support and buy more Toronto product.
HHC: What do you love/hate
about promoters? What would you like promoters
out there to know?
There are a lot of shady promoters out there and
my experiences in the game have taught me how
to deal with the business. But just like the interlude
on one of Jay-z's albums, "No one came out
to your party eh/ fuck you pay me! Oh no one paid
at the door eh/ fuck you pay me!" That's
all I gotta say.
HHC: What do DJ's need to
know about the business? Do you have any advice
for them?
Don't suck promoters dicks to get gigs let them
come to you. Pay your dues and don't let people
dictate how you should play your music straight
up!
HHC: What are you working
on now? Mix CD's/ tapes?
I got a series of mixtapes coming out but right
now "Flood da Block Pt.1" is out on
the streets.
HHC: Why do you choose to
spin the hip-hop you do?
I choose this type [of Hip-hop] because I relate
to a lot of this shit. I mean just because it
sounds good doesn't mean I'll like it. I'm about
real life situations not fabricated story telling.
Real recognize real!
HHC: What can people look
out for from you?
I just wanna start a new way in playing music.
All that shit that people listen to in there cars
or at home, I wanna play that shit in the club.
I wanna show the other DJs the new tunes in the
club so they can bite me when I ain't playing
there the following week.
HHC: What are your future
plans? What's the big picture for DJ Wikked?
I wanna get a deal with a label and do shit properly,
make sure that when I leave the game people will
remember that I did shit my fucking way.
HHC: Any parting words?
Shout Outs?
FUCK DA HATERS!
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