One of the most important names in Japanese hip-hop, DJ Krush has released eight solo albums since exploding onto the scene with his eponymous 1994 debut. A prolific performer who has played in 350 cities in over 50 countries, Krush makes a welcome return to China with a five city tour that stops offs in Shanghai (June 10 at Arkham), Beijing (June 11 at Yugong Yishan) and Guangzhou (June 18 at Hangover +)
Do your grandchildren like your music?
(Laughs) At the moment, my grandchildren are into anime music on TV rather than the DJ Krush sound.
Speaking of the DJ Krush sound, a lot of the tracks you’ve sampled throughout your career have come from the early 1970s. Why’s that?
I think it’s because the sound, texture and feel of [that era] matches the sound image that I’m trying to paint. I need various colors to express my world through sound. If it matches the world that I’m painting, I will go with it. I’m not limiting myself to a certain era.
Last year’s Butterfly Effect was your first album in 11 years. Why did you decide that it was time to put out an album?
It was the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant accident that happened in March 2011. There are so many things happening on our planet, both acts of God and the disasters that human beings make. All these things influence each other intricately and time goes on heading to the future. I had been working on tracks and releasing them digitally but it just didn’t become an album. I had been DJing around the world and it’s like, next thing you know, 11 years had passed.
But don’t you think albums matter less in the digital age anyway?
Today, with the evolution of digital, various music styles come and go. Everything is more accessible and anyone can take part. With that said, it becomes very important to build your own style. You need to absorb various influences and use them to seek your own sound. Never lose yourself. The album format is very important to me.
So over the last 11 years have your methods of – or motivations for – making music changed?
I didn’t use any of the latest equipment. I used an old Mac and old-version software to make Butterfly Effect. But the struggle of moving forward in life is a part of my work. There are so many things I want to achieve. I just move forward to outdo myself. That’s it.
You performed with some traditional gagaku musicians at a Tokyo Red Bull Music Academy event – is this a type of collaboration you want to do more of?
I would love to collaborate with not only with Japanese but also traditional music around the world if I ever have chance. It's stimulating to collaborate with various cultures and fields and it could give new colors to my music. I think maybe we can see a whole new scenery if we go beyond the stereotype of what traditional music should be.
DJ Krush China Tour
Shanghai: June 10, 10pm-late, RMB150-200. Arkham.
Beijing: June 11, 9pm-late, RMB150-200. Yugong Yishan.
Nanjing: June 15, 9pm, RMB120-150. 61 House.
Chongqing: June 17, 10pm, RMB150-180. MAO Livehouse.
Guangzhou: June 18, 9pm, RMB150-200. Hangover +.
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