Mixing and producing almost all of Jay-Z’s number-one albums, Gimel ‘Young Guru’ Keaton is one of the most respected DJs, sound engineers and producers in the world. His break came in Washington, D.C. in 1996, when he became tour DJ for rap singer Nonchalant. With the money he earned, he funded a recording course at Omega Recording Studios, and the rest was history. Moving to New York, Young Guru became involved with Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records whilst working for Memphis Bleek. He has since collaborated with Beyoncé, Nelly and T.I., and was the DJ for Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne world tour. We caught up with him ahead of his set at Unico’s first anniversary celebration.
You got your moniker as a teen while teaching at a community center. What's the full story? What class were you teaching?
I was there for stealing at a mall, some vinyls. Then I got there. I was teaching African culture, things about gurus, and one of the kids started calling me that way.
You're also revered as ‘the sound of New York.’ Pretty big title. How does it feel to wear that badge?
That’s just a title that other people gave me [laughs]. I never came out calling myself as‘the sound of New York.’ People enjoy my work and I'd rather have them studying my work.
What does New York sound like to you?
Right now it sounds like it's having an identity crisis. I think that people making music, specifically in New York, are trying to fit into what's going on. Cultural wise, hip-hop right now in the country is one of the strongest types of music, and it doesn't like and doesn't reflect what New York is right now. It should sound like the subway, like the buildings. It should sound like a lot of people... Even if you’re in Central Park, you are constantly reminded of concrete; that hustle and bustle that sorts of drives a lot of people. That's what it should feel like.
What are the songs in your catalogue that you are most proud of producing?
Probably the songs that I made with MF Doom. I know that I am not talking about Grammy awards songs. But MF Doom is one of my MC heroes. His career, what he represents and the type of career he made is just me. I just love his music... there's no better feeling than hearing him doing exactly what he does over something I did. He’s just one of the best MCs of the planet. He does pure hip-hop, pure rhymes; stuff doesn't even have hooks, he just rhymes.
Having worked with almost every top hip-hop artist going, whose lyrical skills impressed you the most?
The ultimate MC was B.I.G., his ability to do every kind of record, from underground to having women love him. Mos Def and MF Doom as well.
You were the after-party tour DJ for the Watch the Throne tour – what was the maddest thing that happened on that tour?
'Niggas in Paris’ in Paris, it was just crazy. The first day of Paris, we knew that would be the day.
Who has been your all-time favorite artist to work worth?
De La Soul is part of my favorite groups on so many different levels. To start, I'm not a De La fan, I am a De La fanatic! I love De La Soul. Just personally, 3 Feet High and Rising came out and it just felt like me. Some of the language used, it was inner, personal crew language. I guess it's closer in living style, age... Working with them, there's no tension, they know exactly what they want – which is complimentary with me, ‘cause I'm good at delivering what you want. I put my best foot forward for The Grind Date; that was me personally thanking De La Soul for mixing that album.
What was it like collaborating with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys on hit track, ‘Empire State of Mind’?
It was a great experience, big song. The way that Jay adjusted the song – Alicia made sense for the piano-driven song, and she represents NY really well. I knew the record was great, but I couldn't say that it would become the hip-hop version of Frank Sinatra... it almost become that! It's a great thing to have Grammy winner on the resume..
How did it feel when you heard you had been nominated for the Grammy?
It is great for your resume. For me, the award itself is a trophy. It was equally as important as my success.
Many musicians have praised your producing prowess, but the bio page on your website particularly highlights a quote from Questlove of the Roots. Has he been a uniquely significant supporter of your work? And is his praise particularly valued by you?
I'm thankful that Quest said that. He's a prime example, he's one of the people we praise high in esteem. He's hip-hop and a complete musician. I've been a follower of the Roots since Organix. I remember the Roots as a local band. He's a cool dude. I see him, we talk records.
What keeps you feeling young?
My goals. I didn't want to be in a cubicle wearing a suit, I wanted to be my own boss, I wanted to be me! Being able to do something that I really like to do every day.
Have technological advancements changed the way you make and think about music?
Absolutely, there is so much stuff that you could do today that used to take a very long time years ago. The amount of work that I can do with a laptop – for example, in 1996 there would have been rooms and rooms full of stuff. Technology always advances what we can do. Now you have Melodyne; it's just incredible what it can do in terms of picking up part cords, you know. Changes pitches, real corrections of notes – you can do incredible things with a computer, it's just crazy. I mean, it is a double-edged sword. Technology has made people lazy.
In what way?
On one hand, people don't really master what they do. There are so many presets and plugs to just pull, but they don't really take time to learn how to use the plug-ins and presets, and there are so many of them that it makes people lazy. When we were using hardware physically, you'd have two to three keyboards at the most. So you'd really master those keyboards to know how to edit and program one of those keyboards. Now, those kids, they don't really have the foundation of editing things or what they can do.
Any words of wisdom for aspiring DJs here in Shanghai?
Be unique and be keen on new technology.
// December 13, 10pm, RMB100. Unico, Three on the Bund, 2/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Guangdong Lu 中山东一路3号外滩三号2楼, 近广东路(5308 5399)
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