(le) poisson rogue Feels So Good w/special guest Boogie Blind, DJ Soko, and DJ Skizz

DJ Soko is still relatively young, but pioneers have already found odd ways to inject their influence into his craft. Meeting a Detroit rap icon lead to his first retail project, and that album earned kudos from the producer/DJ legend that sparked Soko’s interest in DJ’ing. At this rate, the Michigan native’s respect for his elders may earn him a spot alongside them.

He earned his stripes by DJing a hectic regimen of gigs in Detroit and elsewhere, as well as lending cuts for tracks featuring the likes of Guilty Simpson, MarvWon, Boog Brown, and Hassan Mackey. He also handled road DJ duties for buzzworthy group Clear Soul Forces at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival.

Soko would eventually become the in-house DJ for Journalist 103 (The Left/Mello Music Group/Babygrande) and the duo teamed with producer Apollo Brown to form The Left. The group’s debut, The Gas Mask (Mello Music Group), garnered universal critical acclaim, including a nod on DJ Premier’s list of the year’s best albums. After The Left’s successful European tour with labelmate Oddisee that toured through several cities in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland, Soko has already knocked out gigs throughout various parts of Canada as well as around the U.S. His limited edition vinyl for Mello Music Group’s 7 inch series which features Guilty Simpson, Apollo Brown, Gensu Dean, and Hassaan Mackey which has sold out online at Fat Beats . He is also prepping solo material that features Guilty Simpson, Apollo Brown, Finale, MarvWon,Hassaan Mackey, Kaimbr and other members of indie hip-hop’s elite. With each step, he plans to respect the past while cementing his own legacy.

“A DJ dictates the climate…..we’re meant to get shit poppin’ and help people enjoy themselves, but also to put people up on music that we feel passionate about, educate people on some shit they may or may not know of.”

DK Soko on Soundcloud

DJ Skizz (Zach Raemer) is a DJ, producer and member of the World Famous Halftime Radio Show on WNYU FM 89.1 with a career that spans over a decade.

While attending NYU for a degree in music technology, Skizz joined the legendary Halftime Radio Show as a DJ/ co-host in 2000 and has been a mainstay ever since. He can still be heard there every Wednesday night from 10:30 PM – 1:00 AM (EST) on 89.1 WNYU, where he continues in the tradition of what listeners expect from New York radio, playing the best underground hip-hop and offering exposure to talented artists. The program is known for its anniversary show in March, which boasts a dozen or so emcees rhyming over live beats from hip-hop’s best producers. Past guests have included Slick Rick, Gang Starr, Nas, Eminem, Dilated Peoples, J5, Arsonists, El-P, Cage, Ghostface, Rza, Method Man, Redman, X-Ecutioners and The Allies. The show is celebrating its 15th anniversary in March 2013.

In addition, Skizz has become a respected DJ in the New York City hip-hop scene, rocking many area hot spots including SOB’s, B.B. King’s, CBGB and APT. His skills have also taken him abroad as the official DJ for various tours, including the Lloyd Banks/Big Noyd US Tour (2006), Group Home Japan Tour (2008) and the Large Professor/Cormega European Tour (2012). He has most recently laid scratches down on three songs off the Masta Ace / MF Doom album, Son of Yvonne.

Becoming a producer was a natural transition for Skizz, who already enjoyed spending time digging for records and finding samples. He draws greatly on musical influences of artists like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Dr. Dre, Bomb Squad, Alchemist, DJ Quik, Large Professor, 45 King, Nottz Raw, Marco Polo, Jake One, Frank Dukes, Fizzy Womack, DJ Eclipse, DJ Riz, DJ Revolution, DJ Layzboy, DJ Roc Raida and DJ Q-Bert. To date he’s produced for various artists including M.O.P., Big Noyd, Havoc, Infamous Mobb, Group Home, Sean P., Roc Marciano, Masta Ace, Nature and many more.

Besides keeping fresh hip-hop alive across the airwaves and touring the globe, Skizz has been busy working on his own projects. His critically acclaimed debut production album, B.Q.E., was released September 2013 and features Lil’ Fame, Ill Bill, Sean Price, Roc Marciano, A.G., Steele, FT, Torae, Masta Ace, Nature, Cormega, Craig G, Big Noyd, Havoc, Psycho Les, Rah Digga and more. The R.A.W. – Problemz (of Missin’ Linx)/Skizz collab album – is being released in the Spring of 2014. He currently resides in Brooklyn.

For more info visit:
DJ Skizz official site
DJ Skizz on Facebook
DJ Skizz on Twitter