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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

Best download those now folks, that there is a DJ Shortkut recommendation! Throughout Shortkut’s career he has collaborated with some of the finest in Hip Hop but I was surprised to learn that he had not yet joined forces with Maseo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. ‘I hope to learn a lot from them and how they make music.’ Humbling that someone as revered in his field still feels he has more to learn.

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.’

Favourite album of the year so far? ‘Nas – Life Is Good….one the best Hip Hop albums I’ve heard in a long time.’

Maseo

Maseo is a DJ, rapper, producer and one third of De La Soul. Their first album 3 Feet High and Rising, was hailed as the future of hip-hop at the time of it’s release. With it’s fresh and optimistic sound, melting-pot of samples and styles, plus clever rhymes, real-life tales and self-deprecating sense of humor, the album sounded like nothing else in Hip Hop. Six albums later, De La Soul’s influence on Hip Hop today, is clear to see.

I wanted to know what Maseo thought about Hip Hop moving away from an intelligent, lyrical style and back to Gangsta rap, or worse…rap to a dance-house beat; and which current artists did he feel represented the style and ideals pioneered by De La Soul? ‘Gansta Hip Hop is the culture and Rap is the music so please don’t confuse the two, but to answer your question the lyrics started with djing and dance culture first then it evolved to a social conscious level with a record called “The Message” so the music could get radio play. But the gangsta element has always existed just as much as the dance element since the days of “Planet Rock” and beforehand. I don’t believe there is any artist or group that represent what we (Dela) has done but I do hear the overall influence of what we’ve done in Hip Hop with a lot of artist that are gangsta and non-gangsta.’ And what inspires him? ‘The music that has influenced my production has been everything from funk, soul, r&b, jazz, latin, big band, classical, folk, pop, rock, disco, house, reggae, afro-beat, etc.’ Pretty eclectic tastes then, which explains the kaleidoscope of sounds we have come to expect from a De La album!

Favourite tracks of all time?

It’s Yours by TLA Rock
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

De La Soul have collaborated with pretty much who’s-who of Hip Hop so I was surprised to hear that Maseo still has a long wish list, ‘I would love to do a record with Too Short, Scarface, Nas, King Tee, 50cent, Strong Arm Steady, Freeway, Beanie Seigel, Kane, Craig G, KRS ONE, Bumpy Knuckles, Brand Nubian, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Wu Tang, Frank and Dank, this list can go on forever lol.’
More to look forward to for us then…and what’s in the pipeline for Maseo? ‘I’m working on the new Dela album with the group and a solo album as well, and Ali and myself are teaming up and producing a few new artists as well as nostalgic. I’m going to do a special mixtape with Shortkut that’s called “Merlot Moment w/ Vinnymerlot” which is my alter ego that allows me to represent other styles and genres of music. It’s going to be a mix series which I will have other DJs on, as well with their alter egos “Shortkut aka Jonathan Templeton”.’

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…’

Trust us- we can’t wait either! Favourite album of the year so far? ‘I’m sorry but I don’t have a favorite album in this era or error? lol…I just like a lot of songs. I haven’t heard a good album in a while.’ That’s ok Maseo, we’ll forgive you, cos you are friggin awesome.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

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.

I asked him, what music and genres have influenced his beats throughout the years? ‘I am influenced by music from all genres. It is all resourceful wealth of energy which can be transformed and applied to any composition.’ And what does he think about Hip Hop’s current direction away from the intelligent, lyrical style they helped pioneer? ‘It may appear that Hip Hop is moving away from the intelligent lyrical style if your sole source if Hip Hop is from the mainstream level, however Hip Hop comes in all form be it intellectual, dance driven and gangsta. I have an understanding of most artists but I prefer the likes of artists like Jay Electronica, Phonte, Elzhi, Nas, and Yasin Bey to name a few.’ However when it came to naming a top 5, he could not be pinned down on favourites, simply saying, ‘I honestly can not do that. There are too many to have a top 5.’

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.’

And what has been his experience of Asian audiences so far? ‘The reception is great, there is mad love and energy in the house. Seeing the joy in peoples faces, and the movement of the bodies on the dance floor moving as one makes me feel like mankind will prevail all attempts to separate us.’ Spoken like a true poet.

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”.’

Heavy Boogie productions, in collaboration with Singapore’s Matteblacc collective partnered by City Nomads, will rock Zouk on the 16th of August with The Breathe and Stop Tour, presented by Adidas Originals. Doors open at 9pm. Advance sale tickets are available for purchase in Adidas retail stores across Singapore and online here

You don’t want to miss this!

Written by Heh Zee

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