Interview with Hideaki Ishi aka DJ Krush
Nikita: Right from the beginning, I’d like to take it way back to 1994 when you released “Krush”, your debut record. It changed the game for many producers at the time, especially those from Japan, as it was one of the first atmospheric jazz-hop blends, hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun. What do you think inspired you to create music of this kind in the first place? Was the British trip-hop scene with acts like Massive Attack ever one of your influences?
Krush: I had been listening to Massive Attack, Portishead, and other trip-hop-music a lot, especially nearing my debut album. However, in terms of them being the inspiration for the album and my sound, they might be something different to that. Although, they were always close to my heart.
Nikita: “Krush” wasn’t your actual debut, though — an year earlier, in 1993, you appeared on Mo’ Wax label’s Various Artists release called the “jazz hip-jap project”, didn’t you? Was this a way for you to “test the waters” — to see how the music will be received, and then go for a full-length project? That is, “Krush” (1994).
Krush: Yes, right, well researched! *laughing*
Nikita: Do you think that your music and the music of other Japanese artists, who tend to combine the Asian and the Western influences, helped bring the two worlds closer?
Krush: Yes, such artists as YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra).
Nikita: What was it like working with such legends of hip-hop as Guru and Black Thought? Do you find it easier to work with Japanese artists like your close friend Boss The MC on “Zen” or Sibitt on “Kiseki”?
Krush: To me it is all the same. Somehow every artist I have worked with gave me an open chance in working with them. If there was any difference, then it was when I sent them my beats: the Japanese artists were more willing to give my beats a listen than other artists.
Nikita: One problem of your Japanese titles is that people not knowing the language might misinterpret the album’s meaning. You once said that many think that your album “Zen” is related to zen philosophy, but it’s actually a different Japanese character. What is your meaning of “Zen”?
Krush: I was just playing with the language there. I thought it would be too stale to use the simple, more worldly renowned Zen.
Nikita: Could you please tell me more about the material from “Cosmic Yard” that you will be premiering tonight?
Krush: What do you think the colour of the universe is?
Nikita: Mmm… black? dark-blue?
Krush: Well, the colour of the universe is actually that of latte. Astrologically speaking, the universe seems dark, but that’s not a colour; it is more like a shade. It is the absence of colour that is dark. So when you look at all the actually colourful things in the universe, it is more or less the colour of latte. And this “latte-colour” is evolving with the universe’s timeline; the colour is slowly evolving, as everything within it is — we are, you are, the music is.
Nikita: Do you ever record sounds outdoors to later sample them in your music, while touring?
Krush: Yes, for example, we were recording birds here in Prague. I also tried to capture the atmosphere in Paris by recording the sound of rivers…
Nikita: Now, it is a well known fact that the movie “Wild Style” inspired your career, but do you know that 3 years after its release, there was another hip-hop film titled “Krush Groove” (spelt exactly like you spell your name). Was this of any influence?
Krush: No.
Nikita: You yourself appeared in the legendary film “Scratch”. Do you feel honored to be included in the movie?
Krush: My stye was so different to those of others in the movie, but I was honoured to be included as a part of it, thus showing that there is a variety of style.
Nikita: As far as I know, you would go to the Tokyo store called “Cisco” to dig for vinyl back in the day. Is there a store you like to visit now? Do you still collect records?
Krush: Yeah, with the rise of vinyl in Japan, I often go to many stores, including Cisco.
Nikita: And, speaking of personal preferences, what flavour of ramen do you like? — salt, miso, soy or tonkotsu?
Krush: Soy!
