Vitamin D
Click Here for a Real Media sound clip of Vitamin D from the single No Good
- Can you give us a little light of your musical background?
"My dad was a musician with a group called Ozone that was on Motown records. When I was little, he used to take me to rehearsal instead of the babysitter, and I would do wacky things like fall asleep with my head in the bass amplifier. I've been around music since I was a little baby, basically. In the 80's Pops would have Cook machines, when he was away on tour I would get to fucking around. That combined with the wonderful Los Angeles KDAY and all the Hip Hop radio shows down there. Plus my cousin Sugar Bear would send me 12"."
- What are some of your earliest memories of hip hop culture?
"Definitely my cousin, 1580 KDAY, the neightborhood, growing up in it. It just came natural, pretty much just started adding my own spin to it. I had old school breakdancing partners from the neighborhood."
- Do you feel being from the Northwest has affected your career?
"Hell yeah, less opportunities. Not in the mix with the major scene, so its been pretty hard to be seen up here in the lonely corner."
- Being a triple threat (DJ, MC, producer), do you feel there is a
downside to doing all three?
"No. I think you gotta fully understand all three to be good at just one of them. I don't see it as having any disadvantages."
- How did your deal with Rhymesayers come about?
"Pretty much from making beats with their artists, I don't even know the whole story to tell you the truth."
- In four words how would you describe your DJ style?
"Original B-Boy Style"
- You're a dj so I know you know all about this. Can you attempt to
describe the feeling of finding that one record you've been searching for years
for where you least expect it? Finding a goldmine if you will.
"I can't really describe the feeling, but its equivalent, dunking on somebody or getting the number of the finest girl in the spot. Like, OH SHIT! Say that then."
- What are 2 records you own that have a little more significant meaning
to you than others?
"That's really hard. Jeez. I don't know. I guess my first signed by Live At The Funhouse, that Run signed. That one and 'Gordie's Groove' by Fresh Gordon. Those were the first two records I learned how to scratch on. Not mix though, just scratch, I learned how to mix with 'Gordie's Groove' and 'Haven't You Seen Davey' (Davey DMX)."
- What are 3 songs you're really feeling right now?
"'She Lives In My Lap' by Andre 3000. 'Little Brother' by Mos Def & Kweli, and I really like the beats on The Brown Album. "
- Can you describe your work on the new Encore LP?
"I guess with Encore, he got some really good beats from me. He got some of my best tapes, to me at least. He definitely got some hardcore Hip Hop work. I did all the mixdowns for both of the albums. There was a lot of work that went into the mixdown process, even with the beats that Jake [One] made. He gave me artistic freedom on a couple of songs, with the scratch hooks. The producing, engineering and beat side was definitely represented on them. "
- Were you at the Brainstorm Battle this year? If so, did anyone stand
out to you?
"Yeah a few people stood out, that dude who won Bo-Rat, I liked Nutcase, the dude from the hood and I liked Bad Luk. A couple that stood out for being wack, but we don't need to mention them."
- Is there anyone from the Northwest everyone should know about?
"Me, Jake & Bean. And DJ Topspin, can't forget Kuddie (KC). There's a couple on the rise too. We got a lot of dope producers out here."
- What's coming up for you along with the new album?
"The Pharmacy Classics, almost done and recorded, two more songs so thats cool. I'm supposed to be fucking with Ab Rude pretty soon. A bunch of stuff that people are talking about. Of course I'm fucking with my man Maniak B's project."
"Oh yeah, we'll start with all my Tribal Fam. Of course Jasiri fam, Byrdie's camp at N Flight. Crazed Dogs. Encore, Gab, Butta B, Supernat, Maseo. Of course I gotta shout out the foundation of the whole thing, the old school. Emerald Street Boys, Silver Chain Gang, Mix-a-lot and Nasty Nes."