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 DJs 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 “Scartown Stick-up” all the haters!
Get ready y’all for the one and only DJ Wikked.
Q&A: DJ Wikked
HipHopCanada: So tell us a little about yourself, how did you get your name? Where you from?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: When did you start DJing? How did you get started? Who inspired you?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What still inspires you to be in the game?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: Where can people hear you spin?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What do you want to bring to your fans when you spin?
DJ Wikked: 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!
HipHopCanada: How did you link up with Project Bounce?
DJ Wikked: 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!
HipHopCanada: Apart from Project Bounce what are you involved with? Any other night/shows we can hear you on?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What artists have you DJ’d for in the past? Any experiences you’d like to share?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What’s your most memorable DJing experience?
DJ Wikked: 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!
HipHopCanada: What do you think of the current state of hip-hop industry in Canada?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What do you think needs to be changed?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What do you think of the current state of hip-hop in Toronto?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What do you love/hate about promoters? What would you like promoters out there to know?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What do DJ’s need to know about the business? Do you have any advice for them?
DJ Wikked: 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!
HipHopCanada: What are you working on now? Mixtapes?
DJ Wikked: I got a series of mixtapes coming out but right now Flood da Block Part 1 is out on the streets.
HipHopCanada: Why do you choose to spin the hip-hop you do?
DJ Wikked: 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!
HipHopCanada: What can people look out for from you?
DJ Wikked: 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.
HipHopCanada: What are your future plans? What’s the big picture for DJ Wikked?
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.
HipHopCanada: Any parting words? Shout outs?
DJ Wikked: Fuck da haters!
Written by Joanna Pinto for HipHopCanada
