U:Move

    If they gave out championship rings to DMC winners, Craze would be something like the Michael Jordan of turntablists.  Today he is sponsoring what he believes to be the leading digital DJ program on the market - Traktor Scratch Pro, contrary to what seems to be the more popular program in the US, Serato Scratch Live.  Native Instruments recently posted a wildly popular promotional video for Traktor on youtube, starring Craze himself, incorporating tracks on the fly with his gold turntables, Traktor and a Kontrol X1.  If you’re a DJ who hasn’t picked up your headphones in a couple of months, this video will definitely get a rise out of you. 
   
    But with all of this business about MIDI controllers and all the pretty lights that go along with having a DJ rig in 2010, are new DJs putting more into their USB ports than they are into honing their own skills?  One can only imagine the day that people are waiting in line for six hours outside a Best Buy to cop the hottest music production software.  When the DJ game decided to throw a middle finger in the face of the vinyl versus CDs debate, there’s been a constant arms race between DJs trying to stay on top of it.

    Though he’s been crushing the worldwide DJ scene for about two-and-a-half decades, DJ Craze is not about to fall behind the times.  With a new label, Slow Roast, and a forthcoming EP on that imprint, he’s still putting in the work (and moving with the technology) that’s had people throwing around phrases like “best DJ on the planet” for years.  Catch him Klever at the Live Stage at Power & Light and the afterparty at Mosaic in Kansas City on Friday, August 6, brought to you by umove.  CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE GUESTLIST

Umove:  What have you been up to, DJ and music-wise?  What kind of music/projects can we expect from you in the near future?

Craze:  Hello…for the last couple of months I’ve been concentrating all things Slow Roast.  That’s a label I started with my homie, Kill The Noise.  Been working hard on getting people familiar with the brand and releases (for more info visit http://www.SlowRoastRecs.com).  On my side of things, I’ve been working on my first EP release on Slow Roast.  All I can say is that it’s a mixture of all my influences throughout the years and it’s mostly club music.

Umove:  What DJs out today do you think would serve as good model inspirations for younger DJs coming up?

Craze:  I think I’d be a good role model for younger djs .  I’ve followed what I’ve liked since day one and I’ve made a good career out of it.  Other great examples would be Q-bert, A-trak, Diplo and even Tiesto.  These are all DJs that have followed their hearts and have made great contributions to the DJ world.

Umove:  Are you seeing a lot of turntablists moving towards MIDI controllers?  If so, why do you think that’s the case?

Craze:  I think a lot of DJs are moving along with the times.  The days of 2 turntables and a mic are almost over.  I embrace new technologies and I always have.  For me, it’s exciting to get new toys and figure out new ways of freaking them with what I do.

Umove:  What is it about Traktor that you like better than Serato?

Craze:  For me, Traktor is just a better program.  Traktor has more “toys” (more effects and it allows you to customize every little thing).  The scratch latency on Traktor Scratch Pro is better, in my opinion.  And last but not least, Native Instruments makes quality products so I don’t have to worry about crashing or bugs.

Umove:  Do you think it’s a bad thing that DJs nowadays are having to upgrade more often to the next big thing in technology to keep up with the Joneses?  Whereas several years ago, everyone was pretty much on the same playing field with turntables and vinyl.

Craze:  I do think it’s kinda bad that DJs are always looking for the “next” thing in technology and don’t spend enough time mastering one thing.  At the end of the day, it’s not what you use but how you use it…skills!!!

Umove:  What are your three favorite tracks currently played in your sets?

Craze:  1) Klever - “It Gets Hot” (Slow Roast).  2) Redlight - “What You Talking About” ft. Ms. Dynamite.  3) Rusko - “Hold On” (Subfocus RMX)