Put on 4 MY city: "The MIGHTY Soundchamp" DJ Krate DIGGA

Since this interview felt like a story to me, I decided to write a short story before the interview! READ and ENJOY!!

This interview is semi-special to me... A year ago I didn't have a blog. A year ago I was just an avid club go-er... ONE day I stepped into Icon Ultralounge on a Sunday to hit up Mahogany Soul (I miss that joint!) What I encountered helped shape the way I saw my club experience. The DJ was on *POINT*!! I had NEVER danced as much and had as much fun as I did before that night... I didn't know him at the time, but I fell in LOVE... I had to find out who he was and when and where I could see him AGAIN!


The next time I saw him was at First Fridays. This was a special First Fridays because they had a DJ battle... It was HIM, DJ O Sharp and another DJ that i can't remember. ANYway HE went up for his 1st set and he RIIIPPPEEDD IT! HE went into playing "My Adidas" and I saw one of the sickest things I've ever seen... He was scratching the record with a baby Adidas!! If I wasn't head over heels before, I was then!! He didn't win the DJ battle, but he won my heart! <3>

HE is DJ KRATE DIGGA and HE is my FAVORITE DJ! *much love!* Read the interview!

P.S. I got THIS for my birthday (Sept. 16th remember that), shouts out to my cousin Cat for this!




State ur name gangsta and ur bizness

I am DJ Krate Digga also known as Krate, Diggz, or DJ Sylk by my ORIGINAL party people.

*Growing up what did you want to do?

Growing up I wanted to do a lot of things but I never really thought, "hey, I wanna be an xyz." Throughout my teens I had the opportunity to have several internships; civil engineer, mechanical engineer, computer science w/ ATT/Bell Labs. I learned all about the jobs I didn't want. In college I changed my major 3 times, still not really wanting to do what I majored in (accounting.)

*What motivated you to become a DJ?

I always wanted to know how to dj, I would mess with my dad's records and would half-ass scratch on my kiddie record player w/ my Mary Poppins, Davey Crockett, and Swamp Fox 45s from Disney. I didn't really want to BE a dj until after I started learning how to really spin in 1997. Once I really saw I had some skill, I couldn't stop. But I've always loved music. Grew up as a drummer doing west african percussion and studied music (mainly classical) in school. Lots of reggae and classic r&b/funk at home. Music is a staple in my family (both sides). Grandfather was a blues guitarist, cousins are opera and gospel singers and songwriters. One of my cousins has multiple Grammies (sorry, no name drop).

*How does your music background influence your performance?

Because I didn't grow up on hiphop but on reggae and classical music, music in a non 4-4 time signature wasn't new to me. Polyrhythmic cadences are essential in west african music. So all those influences allowed me to hear musically differently; on a more 3 dimensional plane. Along with having been a performer since 1st grade, doing shows is not new to me. I learned how to put on a show w/o showing for "the cameras".

*What are some of your favorite songs to play in your personal time?

In my own time what I listen to is subject to my mood. When I'm driving I like to roll to The Cool Kids, Drake, Lupe Fiasco; along with The 3rd, Liquid Crystal Project, Fly Union, L.E. At the crib it's all over; Dwele, Eric Roberson, Miles Davis, Kevin Sandbloom, Outkast.

*What does being a DJ mean to you?

Being a DJ to me has many facets. As a hip hop DJ, I have to appreciate & respect that it's part of a culture. On that level the clubs and the hype of it all is irrelevant. It's not just playing music, it's an artform. It's an artistic expression. In today's world of digital distribution, the role has changed abit. It used to be DJs that exposed the people to music and artists that were either outside the radio format spectrum or were up & coming. They helped build the buzz and were closer to the ear of the streets. A lot of DJs still have that mindset of breaking records and building buzz for artists but society seems to look more to radio/tv to be the ones who say what's new/hot/"in". Unfortunately what's radio new is still not new to DJs. So it's a difficult line to walk; you can't break a record too early.

*What place do you believe you hold in a persons "club experience"? In other words do you believe that you "make" the party?

A DJ can make or break a club experience but like any other artist who's performing for people; it's a reciprocal thing. If you came to the club to dance, come and dance. A quality DJ will feed off that energy will build on it. If you came to club to hear your favorite songs or songs from your favorite artist, you're gonna disappointed a majority of the time. On the flip side, as a dj you have to be able to get a feel for the patrons and play to that energy within reason. It's difficult to put it all on the dj to make or break the night, cause if you don't wanna dance or just wanna hear commercial tunes all night when the club is having a tribute to Michael Jackson night; regardless of the dj, people will thinks he/she was wack.

This all goes back to the culture being lost in this. The dj is supposed to be a performer. They're supposed to put on a show. DJs gotta respect that standard and patrons need to appreciate that. No one goes to a Mary J Blige concert and tells her what to sing. You may have joints you wanna hear but you know she's gonna sing the classics and you know she's gonna be a performer; you just enjoy her performance. As a performer you have to be an artist but also must understand there's staples people expect when they purchase admission/tickets.

*What makes you different from any other man/woman on two turntables?

I think the broad range of my music background affords me a versatility that's very hard to find. I can go from neo soul and hip hop/house lounges to commercial clubs and concerts. I can dj for events like poetry nights and as part of theatrical plays. I can dj with musicians/bands making the turntables an instrument (turntablism). That's not something everyone can do.

*What is your dream gig?

I'm not sure what a dream gig would be. There's different things I'd like to do but if I had to say what a dream gig would be I probably would just tour the world as a dj with a band. I'd dj a set before the band comes up, I'd rock with the band and then I'd close the night. That would be my answer as of now.

*What's the wildest experience you ever had when you were Dj-ing at a party?

I've had a lot of great experiences as a DJ from meeting famous performers and travelling, but I think one of the wildest times was in fall 98. I was at Kentuck State U for undergrad. We did a party for some promoting group. They rented a barn, a good ol' Kentucky horse barn. It was cleared out, just cement floor and barn walls. We were in the middle of nowhere in this barn, wondering if people were gonna show up for this joint. So me & DJ Sicari are just rockin out, figuring at the least we're gettin paid so whatever. And next thing u know it's 1045 and this barn is packed! It may have been one of the best joints I ever rocked. Everybody had a ball and it was just so natural. A classic time.

*Do you have a favorite DJ?

I like a lot of DJs but I'd have to say a fave of mine is Jazzy Jeff. He cuts, mixes, produces albums, tours, and even acted (how ever badly it was lol). He very versatile, I respect that a lot.

*Do you see yourself as a role model for up and coming artists?

Do I see myself as a role model for other spinners? I guess, I never try to say do this like me or follow my footsteps but when asked about my experiences or for advice I do my best to be honest, insightful, and helpful. A lot of things I had to learn by trial and error, I try to impart whatever wisdom I have to others so they can avoid some of those dupes.

*What advice would you give for someone wanting to make this a career?

To those who want to make this a career, my advice is that you have to love the music. If you're doing it for the fame or the money, more power to you. But if you truly wanna be a DJ you have to love the music and respect the culture.

Randoms...

 
*Out of all the dances that are out there, OLD or NEW do you have a favorite?

No favorite dances...line dances have their purpose but I'm not a particular fan of any. I love playing Plastic Dreams by J Dilla (song for The Detroit Hustle)

*Is there any song/artist/genre that you DO NOT like to play? If so who/what and why?

I don't play hard rock & country, nothing against the music. I just don't move in those circles as a DJ.

*If you could recommend any artist/musician to me to listen to who would it be?

I have so many people I could suggest but I don't wanna leave anyone out. I'd just say pull any of my mix cd's and peep out the artists on there.

*Other than bring the masses music, what else do you do?

Along with DJing; I produce. I've done tracks for SPIRIT, Tavares, Ed Mabrey, Eddie Bayard, Talisha Holmes, Divine & YoRel...and a few more in progress. I do a little songwriting and write poetry when the mood strikes.

*What would you take with you if you were stuck on an island for a wk?

If on an island for a week, I'd prob decide to bring a beatiful woman. One that I wouldn't be tempted to set afloat 2 days into the week.

*What are 3 words that describe your style?

Creative, witty, professional.

*Anybody you want to give a shout out to??

Shout outs...to everyone who has supported me and The Mighty SoundChampz crew. From the yard of Kentucky State University to each and every club, stage, lounge, park that has hosted me and allowed me to do what I love most. Thank you all!

*Last question. If money were not an object, what would you do?

If money wasn't an object I'd do nothing lol. I'd wake up and just live life. I'd DJ, produce, travel; just walk the streets and inhale the sights & sounds of wherever I may find myself. Plus I'd spend more time with my lil' diggas.

You can catch DJ Krate Digga spinning at various events around the central Ohio area and the world, He is 1/3 of the BLAKstar Talk team, they broadcast EVERY Wednesday 10pm est http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BLAKstar!!

ALSO follow him on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/KrateDigga you are guaranteed many laughs and thought provoking moments with this man...