Breathe & Stop – Interviews with DJ Shortkut, Maseo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad
PUBLISHED August 13th, 2012 08:38 am | UPDATED March 28th, 2016 10:11 am
The summer of 96 was when I bought my first Hip Hop album. It was De La Soul’s Stakes Is High and to me, it sounded just as music was supposed to. That moment started a lifetime-love and exploration into Hip Hop, but that first education in lyrical expression, positivity and soulful beats, marked my musical taste right from the off. From that starting point, I was introduced to Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Common and a whole host of other artists who defied Hip Hop’s mainstream image of brash displays of wealth, women and violence and instead, delivered intelligent poetry to move to.
Thursday the 16th of August sees an epic event in Singapore’s Hip Hop calender and this particular City Nomad is beside herself with excitement at the prospect of having such legends as Maseo (De La Soul) Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Tribe Called Quest/Lucy Pearl) and Shortkut (Invisibl Skratch Piklz/Beat Junkies) right here on our soil. Adidas presents Breathe and Stop is set to be the biggest night Singapore has seen in Hip Hop for a long long time, so if you haven’t got your tickets yet…WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to put a few questions to our Hip Hop hero’s, and learned a few things from their responses (cue furious downloading of recommendations and massive excitement at upcoming albums).
Shortkut
Celebrating 25 years of DJing this year, DJ Shortkut has had the kind of career that most DJ’s dream of.
Having won the DMC championships numerous times, and been awarded accolades for his contribution to Hip Hop and DJ culture, I was intrigued to know what music and genres had influenced his beats throughout the years; ‘I’ve been influenced by a lot of funk, soul, jazz & rock and reggae. One way or another, all these types of music have been a contribution to Hip Hop.’
And if you HAD to name your top 5 Hip Hop tracks of all time?This is one of the hardest questions to ask a DJ who has thousands of tunes…lol..but off the top of my head:
– Night Of The Living Baseheads – Public Enemy
– Buddy – De La Soul
– Award Tour – A Tribe Called Quest
– Beat Bop – Rammelzee & K Rob
– The Message – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
When I asked him about the current state of Hip Hop and who he feels represents his style and ideals? his response was equally thoughtful. ‘I’m aware of what artists are out there and the messages they put out in their music. While some of the content comes off negative, I don’t try to pay it too much attention and just do me. I look towards the artists who’s music is timeless and try to follow their path of longevity.’ Technology has inevitably changed Hip Hop and I wanted to know if he thought it was for the better…are you a vinyl purist? what are your thoughts on the digital DJ age? ‘I was never a purist, but I still dig and collect vinyl…especially 45s (7″ vinyl) I embraced the digital tools for DJs as they make it easier for a travelling DJ like myself. It also opens another window of possibilities that weren’t available before.’
Aside from Breathe & Stop, I think we all want to know what other projects he is working on and plans for the future: ‘This year marks the 20th anniversary of my crew – The Beat Junkies. I’m currently juggling this tour and my group’s tour after this Asia tour is done. Also working a solo 4 turntable live mix I hope to tour at the end of the year.’ 4 words – COME TO SINGAPORE PLEASE!! And how are you finding the reception from Asian audiences? Are you feeling the luv? ‘Always love performing in Asia. Some of the most memorable events and crowds usually happen here, especially in Singapore.’
The Message by Melle Mel and Dook Booty
Do or Die Bedstuy by Divine Sounds
Love Rap by Spoonie G
Live at the Fever by Love Bug Starski
And how is Maseo finding his reception in Asia? ‘The first gig was Bangkok and it was off the hook!!! they were more than ready for what we had to offer and it was a lot of young people who I thought would be into the the more modern stuff but we were all informed prior to coming that we can play to the nature of who we truly are and the music that has inspired us all our lives so we are really excited to be here. I can’t wait to see what the other territories are like…’
Ali Shaheed Muhammad is a DJ, rapper and producer and member of Tribe Called Quest, who without question, were one of the most intelligent, artistic rap outfits during the 1990s, and possibly to this day. In the span of four years, the group released three albums widely acknowledged by Hip-Hop fans to be among the best ever: People’s Instinctive Travels and The Paths of Rhythm, The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. He then went on to form Hip Hop supergroup Lucy Pearl and is recognised to be a force in Hip Hop today.
Aside from Breathe & Stop, what other projects are you working on and plan to do in the future? ‘Presently I’m working on my 2nd solo album. I’ve been working on it for a while. I hope to be finished in a few more months. I’ve also worked with John Legend, The Weeknd and a new artist named ZZ Ward. I look forward to the release of their albums but right now it’s all about Breathe and Stop. I’m just focused on bringing the best DJ set.’ And what other artists would you like to work with? ‘That is a dreamers question. I’m living my dreams. I’ll answer by saying, I will work with anyone that wishes to work with me providing, they are extraordinarily talented and providing I have the calendar time.’
Interestingly, his thoughts on the technological advancements in Dj-ing are all embracing, ‘No I am not a vinyl purist. I love vinyl and I have a love for technology and the way it offers innovative thinking and creativity. I believe that the digital DJ age has caused laziness and offers an easy way to advance for those that like to take shortcuts but it has also allowed for those that understand the true fundamentals of the DJ art form to advance as well. I believe I am simply a medium purist, be it vinyl, 8 track, cassette, cd, dvd, mp3 and whatever else is to come.’
Favourite album of the year so far? ‘Although they were released in 2011 I have to say Phonte’s “Church Starts At Home” and Little Dragon’s “Ritual Union”.’
You don’t want to miss this!
Written by Heh Zee