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Ever since he
was in middle school, K-Razor has been a hip-hop and DJ fiend. Mystified
by the techniques of scratch masters like Jam Master Jay, Q-bert,
Scratch, and Magic Mike, K-Razor's skills and love for the art form of
the DJ has constantly grown and evolved over the years. He's
participated and placed in numerous battle contests and toured with the
likes of Lil' Flip, Noreaga, Phatlip, Monica, and more. If all this
wasn’t enough, K-Razor also produces and markets his own series of
scratch and break records and is a member of one of the most premier
battle crews in the world, Faderballistix.
Scratch:
What is your background as a DJ and musician?
K-RAZOR:
I have been DJ'ing since I was in the middle school. As a kid, my
parents always played salsa music, but I never got into that. I did love
Michael Jackson and always wanted to be the center of attention. Then I
became a hardcore hip-hop kid -- everything hip-hop related I HAD to be
a part of. I always listened to hip-hop and watched Beat Street, Wild
Style, etc. and knew I wanted to be a part of history. When I saw guys
like Jam Master Jay and Magic Mike create a scratch song with no lyrics,
movies like Juice, and DMC battle tapes, I knew that was it.
Scratch:
What significance does your DJ name, K-Razor, have for you?
K-RAZOR:
Well Ken is my real name and a razor will definitely cut you up.
Scratch:
Have you had any other DJ names in the past?
K-RAZOR:
Yeah I used to call myself Kraze, K-scratch, Kreate, and Ken E.
Scratch:
What made you finally choose to use K-Razor as you DJ name?
K-RAZOR:
The name sounds more aggressive. It didn’t sound like anyone's I've ever
heard of. It just fit the best, because I am sharp like that. I wanted
something to the point and easy to recognize when you here it.
Scratch:
How exactly did you get into DJ'ing?
K-RAZOR:
My Dj’ing was influenced by my older bother. We both
started out DJ'ing, but in the long run, I stuck to it. My brother and I
used to listen to DJ Red Alert on the radio. He used to always premiere
new music and have drops from rappers. It got to the point where I used
to tune into all his shows and sometimes even record them. To me, being
a DJ seemed like the greatest job a man could have. That's when I begged
my parents for my first set of tables.
Scratch:
What type of DJ would you best describe yourself as?
K-RAZOR:
An all-around DJ. I can play the club scene, battle, and give you a good
mixtape. I always gotta have the new music first! I love doing that
world premier sample. I love hip-hop and also down south beats. For me,
drums and bass are very important in a song.
Scratch:
At what point did you decide to pursue DJ’ing as a career?
K-RAZOR:
I went on my first tour with a group Shaq had signed to his label years
back. As soon as I saw the money flowing in and realized I could live
off this, I knew DJ'ing was the career for me. I could get paid to do
what I love to do.
Scratch:
Who or what was your main influence?
K-RAZOR:
DJ Scratch of EPMD, Q-bert, and others...Scratch created his own
spotlight on songs. He actually added whole scratching sections to songs
and made scratching way more interesting than the lyrical part of the
song. I used to buy the same records Scratch used, find each particular
song he cut over, and copy his every sound until I got it perfect. Q-bert
blew my mind when I first saw him. He did stuff on the tables that I had
no idea you could do. In my opinion, he really made the world see the
turntable as an instrument by having a scratch group with members who
performed all at once, making new music on turntables.
Scratch:
How have your influences changed over the years?
K-RAZOR:
Mostly I've seen solo DJ’s become their own headline. It used to be the
rapper and the DJ. DJ'ing is now to the point where the DJ does not need
a rapper to make a hit. DJ Q-bert, Kid Capri, DJ Craze, and DJ A-trak
are all great examples of this progression.
Scratch:
As an up and coming DJ, what did you do to practice and improve your
skills?
K-RAZOR:
I practiced counting bars and blending. I bought D.M.C. tapes and the Q-bert
do it yourself kit. All this really helped me out. I also hung out with
other DJ's to learn what they knew so I could add to my style.
Everybody's different in some way. Just because one guy can scratch
really well another might be able to juggle real good –so you wanna
study different DJ’s and be even on all sides.
Scratch:
After having learned so much over the years, what advice would you give
DJ’s today who are just getting into the art form?
K-RAZOR:
The advice I have is to get involved with the DJ world! Delve into the
art form and have a plan for yourself. Don’t be a one-sided DJ do it all
(mix, scratch, and battle). Most of all, practice, practice, practice
and practice!
Scratch:
What kind of opportunities have you experienced through DJ’ing? Do any
particular memories come to mind?
K-RAZOR:
I've gotten to travel to new places and meet all kinds of people and
DJ’s. In particular, I remember traveling to Amsterdam. Over the years
I've been in numerous competitions and battles like Breaklanta - 2003,
Miami Import Expression - 2002, Miami Hip-Hop Elements Throwdown - 2001,
Zulu Kings Battle in NYC - 2001, and Kool Mixx Miami - 2003 and 2004.
I've toured and done shows with Lil' Flip, Phatlip, Noreaga (opened up
for him), Native, Monica, Pumpkin Head, and Jeru the Damaja. I'm also in
a crew named Faderballistix.
Scratch:
What are you up to right now?
K-RAZOR:
Right now I have been in the studio laying some scratches for Bad Boy
Latino in Miami and just finished up my Break Record coming out in Feb
2006. I've also been finalizing some tour dates with Fish-scale of Nappy
Roots.
Scratch:
As one of the instructors at the newest Scratch DJ Academy in Miami,
what are your thoughts about our newest Scratch?
K-RAZOR:
It’s a great idea, because it brings opportunities for up and coming
DJ’s in south Florida and helps enhance the DJ scene down here.
Scratch:
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Scratch?
K-RAZOR:
I see new faces so excited to learn how to scratch, and I love listening
to people pick your brain about your scratch life. I look forward to
bringing my creativity and knowledge to the up-and-coming DJ's.
Scratch:
Any advice you would give to our students?
K-RAZOR:
Loosen up and get involved in the music world. Try to expose yourself to
as much DJ'ing and music as possible. And remember, it’s not how long
you practice, it’s what you practice.
Scratch:
Do you have any local area residencies or gigs where our students could
come see you perform?
K-RAZOR:
No residencies right now, couple of tour dates, mad mix tapes, and a
Scratch record.
Scratch:
What kinds of projects do you see yourself involved with in the future?
K-RAZOR:
I want to start my own label, make beats, produce more break records,
own a radio station, and have my own turntable hour on the station so
the radio DJ's know they need to get there game up.
Scratch:
What is the most exciting and unforgettable experience you have ever
had as a DJ?
K-RAZOR:
Winning my first DJ Battle. I was in Miami, all my friends were there,
and I even left with a big a** trophy. I made my parents look at the
competition on the internet and even sent them a video. That feeling was
the most exciting for me.
Scratch:
Do you have a website, how can get more info about what you are doing?
K-RAZOR:
Yeah, I have a website
Faderballistix.com-
Just check the site, everything gets posted! |
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