“I tried more for the dancefloor like tunes that I can play for the crowds.” Over the course of his career as a recording artist, Kentaro has experimented with a variety of genres, going from the hip hop and trip hop vibes of earlier efforts to the dubstep and electro inspired Contrast. Collaborating with a number of artists has helped with that expansion, including DJ Krush. Playing an important part in his musical development, Krush and Kentaro most recently worked on the track Kikkake. The stand-out collabo for him so far however was with the UK’s Foreign Beggars on the epic Step In.
“Foreign Beggars would be the one that is memorable as far as the production of the tunes, and we have known each other for ages.” First hitting the decks at age 13, the prodigious Kentaro has amassed cult-like status among fellow artists and listeners and is ready to bring his expansive music collection and party rocking attitude to Aussie shores, including a show at The Espy this Friday. “I am super excited. I usually come to Australia at least once a year and I like to be back for the summer time for sure.”
Providing a full audio-visual experience, he will be playing selections from Contrast and will be accompanied by his video crew. Harnessing the power of digital technology to his creative advantage, he sees the digital influence on music as an overall positive. “It’s definitely easier now for both artists and fans to reach out.” While he appreciates the expanded reach of music, Kentaro does mourn the loss of the intimacy of collecting albums and have a unique story as to where and when they were purchased. “As far as the meaning of receiving music, there’s no 12” cover artwork, or you don’t actually visit record shops. People get or listen to music but that’s just about it. There’s less feelings about music culture almost.”
A DJ who was brought up on old school tradition, he still enjoys sifting through records if he has the chance. “I get my tunes via online most of the time, but when I need to dig for sampling, I dig [through] my collection for hours.” Despite the lack of that warm fuzzy feeling, Kentaro sees an emphasis on the live show as a positive. “I feel that more people visit the gigs nowadays, so events are more powerful and effective. I have been feeling this [the] past couple of years.” Earning his reputation in the DJ and hip hop community as the first Asian winner in the history of the prestigious DMC World DJ Championships, winning in 2002, he has fond memories of his origins but couldn’t see himself going through the gruelling routine today.
“I do not have much time for practising routines for entering [a] battle. It has been 10 years since my DMC title, can you believe it? I am getting old,” he chuckles. “For a competition set, you have to think about stories, selection of music and more technical issues at the same time. Performing a set, I always think about the crowds.” Continuing to hone his crowd inciting skills over the past decade, Kentaro has had the chance to perform in Europe, America, Asia and Australasia, playing to intimate venues and large festival gatherings. He has learned to make the most out of both scenarios. “Smaller venues are always fun and up close. [With] festivals, you can always get the energy of a large amount of people.”
