Don't sweat the technique

DJ Jafar is the man behind the decks for "King of Oklahoma Hip-Hop" Jabee while also playing a key role in the local indie hip-hop scene alongside the crew he is with, The Puzzle People. He was recently voted Okc's Best DJ by The Oklahoma Gazette and has several mixtapes on deck with regional hip-hop emcees along with the endless list of live performances he does with Jabee. Jafar is a very humble cat who knows the hip-hop game well and will one day have his time to shine on the national radar.


Q. Last year 2009, you took my title in The Oklahoma Gazette Woody Guthrie Awards for "Oklahoma City's Best DJ" I don't think I would want that title going to anyone but you because I see how much you grind and put yourself out there for the underground hip-hop scene along with your crew The Puzzle People. How does it feel to finally get some press for the indie scene here and what plans do you have for 2010?

A. Well first thanks addressing the title. That was a pretty cool moment for me, something I never had really even thought about. I DJ because I love music, and the art form of hip hop. I have always stayed under the radar watching you, DJ Diverse, DJ Disciple, and also my favorite DJ D.L. (Supadave). It's pretty cool to get some press for doing what I love. There is a lot of hip -hop in Oklahoma and I'm proud to be part of it. I feel like my crew, The Puzzle People, are the best at what we do. Their love, creativity and sacrifice for hip hop is amazing. This year I have a few goals in mind. I'm really trying to be as versatile as possible: mixtapes and DJing clubs is my focus this year. This will be hard to balance, these two skills are a weakness for me. I have such a high standard of DJing that I want to live up to so I don't want to come off weak. Another goal is a organizing a "DJ Only" seminar, with some well known DJs with sessions and workshops.

Q.You are the man behind the decks for Jabee. Hopefully he will be the emcee from Oklahoma City that puts us on the map. What are his plans for 2010 and what track of his is making the most noise right now?

A. I too hope Jabee is the rapper that puts OKC on the Map and I know he can! He is one man with so many qualities (No HOMO, LOL!) most emcees don't have. Jabee's grind is something I have learned from him over the years. If it wasn't for Jabee pretty much no major hip hop shows would have happened in the city. No Visionaries, no Brother Ali, no Def Jux Tour..... nothing, man that would suck! Anyway he and I have a good working chemistry. We agree on a lot of the same music he puts out. Our stage show is real, and live and we keep it fun and soulful. Everybody should come see us rock out, we have something for everybody. Jabee's big plans are huge! He is planning to pursue rap full-time. Just last week he was in NC, NYC, & DC for shows, and in the studio with Torae and Skyzoo. He makes moves like nobody else. One of the biggest tracks right now that he is pushing is the remix to one of his most aggressive tracks ever, "Go and Tell'em."

Jabee - Go Tell Em
(download or stream link)

Q. We both come from the school of digging for that one record even if it meant sitting in a dusty shop all day. What do you think about the state of Oklahoma DJs?

A. I love digging!! If I was ever to quit DJing I would still go digging. Finding obscure records while getting your fingers all dirty is the best. It is exciting to find places where people might sell records, random places. I never pass up a open drum break. Back to your main question on Oklahoma DJs, I truly feel Oklahoma is a great place to find true DJs. Oklahoma is NOT over-saturated with DJjs. That's the best thing about the state. For the most part they really love the craft of DJing, and the music they are spinning. Whether its dance music, hip hop, dubstep, top 40 most have a knowledge and a heart for DJing. There is this one DJ that goes by Billy Sex Crime, that dude knows his music but he is one cocky DJ! I heard he's sponsoring a unisex cologne coming out made out of duck-butter. I don't know about that dude....he is sketchy. lol!


Q. I personally go back and forth between vinyl and Serato but what do you use?

A. Serato and Vinyl are my choice. For me I just like that I don't have to carry my crates or travel with them all the time. They are just so heavy and can be a hassle. I got mad love for the few djs that still do all vinyl! DJP (Missouri) and DJ Love (Dallas) those guys are sick DJ and carry their crates.

Q.Do CD turntables get on your nerves as much as they do for me?

A. Not really I consider it another form of the art of DJing. I am more mad at the DJs that use them, a lot of them are not smart enough to use them. Same way I feel on Ableton, lol.

Q. There is a lot of people calling themselves DJs but we both know they don't know the first thing. Give me some thoughts or vent!

A. I give most people a chance to talk themselves up and I try to get a feel for what they are about. If your all about money, your a lame! If you think your the best, then we can battle. I don't really care who's better, but I am willing to test you. In the end I have nothing but love for you. If you're going to hate on me or my crew you better be willing to step up to a challenge. Also learn something about what you represent, don't just "guido" fist pump and select a track and press play. RESPECT!

Any shoutouts?

Big ups to The Party Mint, Puzzle People, GRP FLY, Soul Mana, Caraway1965, and Dope2Go.

We Don't Rock, We Rap

MC Schoolly D and Code Money were one of hip-hop's greatest duos. I don't think that any other DJ worked harder on the decks in the mid 80s than Code Money. His skill level was very high and his creativity was also among the best of his day. I would put him in the same group with Eric B, Mr. Mixx, and Jazzy Jeff as the best DJs of the time. Schoolly D was an originator. He, along with Just-Ice brought a harder edge to hip-hop. Personally, Saturday Night: The Album is in my top 10 albums of all-time. I'm a big fan of the bongo style beats and Schoolly's harder yet also comical approach to rhyming. There definitely wasn't another MC like him. I really think a lot of emcees owe some lumps to Schoolly D for the influence he has had on the more grimey side of hip-hop. Ice-T claims that his biggest influence in writing some of the first gangster rap was due to Schoolly D. For those that are into Adult Swim, you may recognize his voice, he performs the theme song to Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Enjoy this track--> It is probably his most well known joint - "Saturday Night"

The Wonder Years

Happy Birthday to Stevie Wonder. One of my all time favorite musicians and artists. I believe Stevie's influence on hip hop is up there with the likes of James Brown amongst others. The growing number of artists & producers who have sampled his work in the past 3 decades grows yearly...everyone from Snoop Dogg to 'Ol Dirty Bastard, to Rick Ross. It seems that almost every producer, artist, musician has been influenced by his work at some point in time.

My favorite Stevie Wonder album would most definitely be Talking Book.

I know in most people's opinion, "Innervisions" may show his genius at full form & "Songs in the Key of Life" may be his masterpiece, but "Talking Book" balances his musical genius and his emotional core. Steve Wonder was only 22 when this album was recorded and he truly showed his talent and artistic expression. They don't make 'em like that not more!

Beats 4 Lunch

In 2005 Terry Monday, Program Director of Perry Publishing & Broadcasting approached me via MySpace after hearing some clips of my scratching on CDs & Mixtapes. He thought there wasn't enough DJs doing things on turntables in his community of urban listeners and wanted to do something different to let them know that raw scratching, turntablism, and envelope pushing in The DJ community was alive & well. Beats 4 Lunch was born. The show aired every Friday at noon and had a different theme every week along with weekly guests and a segment devoted to a live on air mix. After my stint doing this program out of KVSP Power 103.5 in Oklahoma City along with the 5 markets it aired on I had to leave due to my obligation touring with a popular Top 40 but I will soon be posting more of the infamous mix segments. Enjoy!