
DJ Connect from south Sweden started his hiphop career at the turntables. After a while the beatmaking became interesting and soon he got his first Akai sampler. The inspiration came from the hiphop of the mid-nineties and other genres such as jazz, funk and soul music. Getting into crate digging was only a natural step for a DJ and a producer and that has led to a great dedication to art of sampling. Making diverse beats in the name of boom-bap is the key to Connect’s work in the hiphop scene as well as skillful techniques on the turntables.
DJ Connect is a member of the Swedish DJ/production crew Elite fleet which is working with artists from all around the world. The crew is about to release a full length album with some of the renowned names in the underground hiphop world.
Some MC´s who have dropped a verse on a DJ Connect beat: Creative Juices, Planet Asia, Rasco, UG (Cella Dwellas), The Outsidaz, Jeru the Damaja, Motion Man, Craig-G, Maylay Sparks aka Rahsheed, Jise (Arsonitsts), Cosmic (Looptroop) etc.
DJ Connect released the mixtape/album “Big Ape & DJ Connect – Explosive exclusives (Platform records 2008)” and the album “IDE & DJ Connect - Table of content (Creative juices music 2009)”
DJ Connect is currently finishing the long awaited album Ideology together with Ide of Creative juices crew.
HERE IS DJ CONNECT’S REMIX OF “SALL RIGHT” (LITTLE VIC & CRITICAL). HE WON THE HIDDEN AGENDA REMIX COMPETITION AND WILL HAVE THIS SONG FEATURED ON “SUICIDE MISSION”
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6834474164c247f7/
GO AHEAD… SHOOT!!!
1. So you won the Hidden Agenda remix competition out of many producers. What type of equipment do you use, and what did you start with?
-Ive been using the akai s3000xl sampler for 6-7 years now and I feel very comfortable with it. Before that i was just using the computer with different programs. Once you get a Akai sampler there is no way you get back to a computer.
2. Name some of your influences as far as production goes, and some of your dream collaborations as far as artists.
-Infuences is Pete rock, Dj Premier, Rza, Alchemist, Large pro and cats like that. Dream collabo would be Big Daddy Kane or Krs-1.
3. I know I have totally retired certain albums as far as sampling, Is there any old album that you have completely raped?
-I usually only sample a record once or twice.
4. Is there anything in particular you look for in an MC before you produce something for him/her? Do you make beats for MC’s from scratch? Or let them choose from what you have?
-I make so many beats i got a big library so i let mcs choose from what i got. but if i do more than one joint with someone i make a beat special for him.
5. I heard the mixtape you did with IDE called “Table of Content” and it was dope. Tell the people about the album “Ideology” & “Elite Fleet”
-Thanks. Me and Ide of Creative juices started working on a ep long ago. after a few tracks we decided to make a album instead. this has been a long time project and we are now finished with the result “Ideology”. Its a underground, hardcore hiphop album straight up… Got a lot of dope guests like Outsidaz, UG, Ill bill, Maylay Sparks aka Rasheed and i cant wait until we release it. Its pure fire.
Elite fleet is my crew, we are all producers and djs and we got a album dropping on kutmasta kurts label threshold rec. Its a collaboration album with cats like Masta ace, Jeru the damaja, Cali agents, Akrobatik, Skyzoo, Ide and many more. We got beats if anyone is interested!! haha..
6. Producers always have obstacles… Name one of the most ghetto-rigged situations that you actually had to make work…
-I try to avoid ghetto rigged situations…
7. Any superstitions or Idiosynchrocies?
-I used to have a rule that said i wasnt allowed to sample any record from1980 or later but i have gotten over it. 8. I tend to make raunchier beats in a messy, dark studio… & I get some of my best work done in the Winter… Do you have a specific time of year and or mood you require to work at your highest potential?
- I can make beats whatever the time is but i usually work best when its dark outside. But i have very big problems to make beats when im hangover. Ihave tried it so many times and never ever managed to do a decent beat.
9. Best produced album ever?
- Prince Paul – A Prince among Thieves or Gza – Liquid Swords
10. I end up sampling shit, then really loving the song I sampled. Have you come across any really dope artists from back in the day via sampling, that you listen to on the regular?
-oh yes a lot of stuff! Accually i dont listen that much to new music, I mostly listen to older hiphop and the funk and soul that i sample. Al Green is amazing and Isaac Hayes is incredible. I go through everything from Stax to Rawkus records.
11. Shout outs, release dates?
Check out Ide & Dj Connect – Ideology, its dropping soon. we got a single called nation of goons and its dropping any day now.
Elite fleet album – Swedish export is gonna be the bomb in earliy 2010! dont sleep on that.
Peace to Ide, the hole Creativejuices crew and my fam Elitefleet and Little Vic for this interview and remix.
More info at www.creativejuicesmusic.com and www.elitefleethiphop.com
www.myspace.com/elitefleetdjconnect