Living in Oakland, I am blessed to have access to immense musical talent showcased on a regular basis. This of course is true for DJs as well, where I am able to surround myself with friends and colleagues that are way more talented than I, and see them perform on a regular basis.
Known worldwide and having just been voted the “people’s choice best DJ” by the East Bay Express, DJ Platurn is definitely at the top of the list of great DJs I’ve worked beside. His resumé includes travelling the world blowing minds with music, starting the renown DJ crew Oakland Faders, producing tons of fantastic remixes, and winning Scion’s first ever “free up your mix” contest. He’s DJed with and respected by just about every Hip Hop DJ you can pay to see play. He’s also started a great monthly event dedicated to an obsession I share with him… 45 rpm records. Hell, they even made a movie about him! Beyond all that, he’s a very cool and down to earth guy that just loves music, as the interview below shows.
This week, as The Tribe Called Quest documentary continues to spread across the country, garnering rave reviews from critics and fans, we share with you a very unique Tribe mix, from which Platurn is generously donating a part of the proceeds to charity.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the man himself (in front of our computers, 1500 miles away), and was able to ask some questions about this mix that give a lot of insight to his thought process and workflow. Enjoy, and be sure to support great DJs like this when you can!
—with the film coming out and the mix receiving some shine again I figure I’d point out its existence and being that Phife has diabetes (which is pointed out in the film) I thought it’d be a thoughtful gesture to donate some of the proceeds to an SF based organization called danceoutdiabetes. I don’t expect the mix to blow up up that much this time around that i’ll be donating some crazy amount of money but it’s the thought that counts you know. I shed a tear when Jarobi broke down in the flick man—I’m not gonna lie. That’s some real life shit right there.A huge thanks to DJ Platurn, Iceland’s greatest export. Be sure to check his blog, follow him on twitter, and stay aware of what the entire Oakland Faders Crew is up to!
Made this remix a while ago, it was pretty popular for a while but I realized that it wasn’t up on this site yet…. so here it is!
One of the best ever (and most fun to remix) dancehall lyrics, very familiar to hip hop heads, over a beat that sparked a “movement” of jerkin’ music. The lyrics, of course, are by Capleton, famously put over Slick Rick‘s “Children’s Story” beat. Believe it or not, that remix was made by Lil Jon. This remix is made by me… actually by manipulating two real live vinyl records simultaneously and recording it (aka the old fashioned way). Enjoy and download. I think this version has my name in it a few times, if you’d like a version without my name, send me an e-mail or leave a comment.
Did this remix a while ago and I thought it was up here, but I guess I was wrong (again). Sade vs. Mr. Vegas vs. E-40 and his son. (Original beat by Droop-E). Enjoy! Special request to Bay Area herbalists.
I’m loaded sensi remix by Dj Delgado
Check other remixes at my soundcloud account and here.
Recently a few popular websites that many djs relied on for remixes were taken down, and there has been outrage in the DJ community. Additionally, many websites that host or point to possibly illegally downloadable music have been targeted for advertising revenue by an agency called GroupM, and copyright laws are the minds of those of us in the music business once again.
Remix sites were a place where accomplished DJs would post their remixes and edits of popular and classic songs, and they could be bought by other DJs. Most sites tried to cover themselves by demanding that users were professional DJs, but the reality was that they were in sketchy legal territory. That being said, many of the remixes were quite popular in clubs (and on the radio), to the point of being promoted by the original artists and increasing sales for the song by getting it more attention. Looking at them as simply copyright infringement also short changes the work put in by the remixer, whose creativity can completely change a song. None of this matters much to the record labels, of course, who are literally just in it for the money.
A fascinating new (theoretically) legal remix service offers a truly different method of delivering remixes and being sure that all people involved get paid—including the original artist and label. Legally, you can make as many copies of any musical work you own (meaning you can have a song on your computer and on your iPod), and you can also alter those works for your own benefit. The new site, called Legitmix, offer you a chance to buy the remix—with the original sample taken out—so that you can recreate the remix on your own computer (well, the software does it automatically). Legally. The site also allows you to buy the original song if needed, which guarantees money for the artist (or whoever owns the rights—usually not the artist). Check it out!
Legitmix Empowers Artists from Legitmix on Vimeo.
Special thanks to DJ Platurn for pointing out the service and DJ Audio1 for keeping his remixes alive and available!
The new(ish) Fabolous joint You Be Killin’ ‘Em has really been stuck in my head recently, so I popped out this quick remix featuring classic lyrics from the always delightful Cutty Ranks. Consider it a preview of Fresh Jamz! Enjoy.
It’s built around this sample, a classic James Brown lick (of course). It’s the “Watergate” sample.
This is the classic “Funky Drummer” sample, and yes I know you know that. D-Nice (who produced the track at age 17!) laces it into the beat when Public Enemy takes the mic, which is perfect beacuse it was a sample that Terminator X used a lot. (Because it is awesome). The sample comes on late in the song, but like always James Brown is enjoyable to listen to while you wait.
Here is another classic James Brown Sample, which comes in with Heavy D‘s lyrics. A tribute to a big man in the rap game in those days (figuratively—when MC Hammer did a star crossed show at the Oakland Coliseum, Heavy D was the headliner).
There is a piece before Doug E. Fresh come on that is near to my heart for the multiple samples that slap you in the face with their beauty and randomness. This is from Gil Scott Heron, it’s just the guy saying the numbers en español, but since it’s Gil, it’s worth checking out.
Then D Nice breaks out the “heaven and hell” reminder from the 20th Century Steel Band, which was also used previously by Doug E. Fresh. The beatbox is dope, of course.
The song inspired quite a bit musically, as well. KRS-1 released two follow up singles with different casts (well, MC Lyte was on one of them) in 2008 and 2009.
Most famous, however, was the “West Coast version”—”We’re All in the Same Gang,” featuring Dr. Dre on the beat, and most of the popular West Coast artists at the time. Although I am a huge West Coast guy, this one just didn’t quite cut it. Dre does a nice job of changing the beat around a bit, but it was right in between when he was an awesome new comer (think Straight Outta Compton) and when he was an legend (think 2001).
Stylus Magazine compares the two, and calls it a draw. You decide.
What do you guys think about the West Coast version? XXL recently did an interesting “where are they now” piece on the tunes as well.
OK, been kinda slow on the blog, but I have a reason!
So what has kept me busy? Hella stuff, but mostly the above… the three year anniversary of the best party in the Bay. No, seriously. I have been blessed to pretty much live my dreams in the DJ world… playing for 45,000 at (what was) the West Coast’s biggest reggae show, playing along side of Buju Banton, Spragga Benz, Ozomatli, Digital Underground, playing at Stevie Wonder’s birthday, Snoop Dogg’s Superbowl party (too bad the Raiders lost), not to mention all the other good times I’ve had, what I’ve learned about music, and how I’ve been able to express myself with it.
So now, instead of chasing down a residency that will keep me up until 3 am on a Wednesday morning, I’d really rather just rock the house for awesome people and play what I like. DJ Odiaka’s Fresh Jamz is exactly that opportunity.
It’s been three years since we stuck a pair of 1200s in a booth at a famously divey bar and it has been epic and awesome. The fact that it is a happy hour means that there is no pretension, no guest list, no dress code, and no pressure. The fact that it’s us means that folks are dancing until they hurt. The fact that it’s Oakland and that we barely promote it means that everybody there is cool. No, seriously, look at the flyer. Almost everybody is a friend of a friend, and almost everybody works either with kids or in the non-profit sector, which just ads to the relaxed vibe!
For the three year anniversary, Odi & I have some serious excitement in store for everyone!
I’m most excited for the guest DJs—for one, we have my personal local DJ hero, DJ Platurn of the Oakland Faders. If you do not know who he is, I can not believe that you know who I am. Check his website, or better yet see him on Friday.
Our other guest is none other than East Bay Express’ Best Club DJ, DJ Hector. Basically, that means he is the Zachary’s Pizza of Bay Area DJs. Which means you better see him, and you might as well do it when it’s free!
Odiaka has also arranged for food, T shirts, and our Annual Anniversary Mix CD to be available as well. Man, it’s gunna be awesome. Be sure to be EARLY, it’s a happy hour, we start at 5 and leave by 10! But bring your dancing shoes!
Speaking of the annual anniversary CD, here’s the first new track of the week… it’s a “leak” of my section of the Fresh Jamz CD, which will also feature Odiaka & Hector. Listen here, download off soundcloud. (DJs if you want a version without my name in it send me an e-mail)
See everyone on Friday!
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