Four-Five Seconds with DJ DEF ROK
Nationally recognized as one of the industry's most respected and highly acclaimed DJ's, Def Rok continues to appear in every major club packing out dancefloors Australia wide. In between tours, we were lucky enough to catch up for a brief chat to delve into the depths of a little more about DJ Def Rok!
What were your influences in becoming a DJ?
Back in 93, When I was around 12, An older guy that used to hang out around the neighbourhood gave me a video tape and he told me to watch it if I liked Hip Hop & Rap. It was a DJ battle from around 92 in New York. I think it was the old Supermen DJ battles. I was Blown away by what they were doing with the Vinyl & The Turntables. I was hooked. The battle on the video was between Mix Master Mike & DJ 8ball. It was my main inspiration in me wanting to be a DJ. I pretty much watched that video everyday for a whole year. I wanted to do what they were doing. I actually started collecting vinyl after that. My mate never got the video back too. I really looked up to DJ’s like Jazzy Jeff, Premier, Cash Money, Atrak & QBert.
Over your career what would be your favourite or most memorable moment?
I'm still hoping to create some memorable moments but over the years of ROKing some massive shows and concerts. The one that sticks out is Playing at a club in Brisbane called Mercury back in 07' and having Ice Cube MC my set. That was awesome. I was dropping all these West Coast and Cali classics and he was just Vibing to everything I was doing. He loved it so much, That he decided to get on the Mic. I'll never forget that. Its not very often you get to play alongside a Legend & Pioneers of the game.
Before a big gig, do you have any pre-performance rituals or specific preparations?
I like to snap my fingers. Its a good way to warm up your hands. Sometimes if its a really big show, ill have a shot of Vodka just to ease the nerves.
How would you describe your sound and style of music that you play? What makes a DJ Def Rok set unique?
First and foremost I LOVE MUSIC and it comes out in my sets. DEF ROK means to DEFinitely ROK the show. So I take that and go with it. I believe It's not what you play but how you play it. I like to create a lot of hype through Scratching and Manipulating the tracks but still having that soul in all my sets. I believe as a DJ its your job to ROK the crowd and take them on a journey. I like to structure my sets with that in mind. I hate being the same as the DJ before or after me, You have to bring your own flavour to the table. I don't really jump up & down like a lunatic or jump on tables but I like to let the music do the talking.
What is your favourite song to play in a DJ set and why?
It would have to be Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G. You can cut out the volume in any part of that track and the crowd will be Rapping along to it. I find it amazing because some of the kids in the clubs now rapping along to it, were in Nappies when that track came out. An absolute classic that took a Sample of another classic, Juicy Fruit by Mtume and made it it's own.
If you were to collaborate with any artist in the world (past or present) who would you choose and why?
To be honest I love to collaborate with some Legendary produces, Whose beats have shaped what I listen too. People like Quincy Jones, J.Dilla (R.I.P), 9th Wonder, Dj Premier, Kanye West and on a house tip Sandy Rivera, Miguel Migs, Masters at work (Kenny Dope & Louie Vega). With the new kids I really dig what Ta-Ku is doing. I also really like the Reggae & Dancehall influence that Diplo & Major Lazer have brought to Mainstream and Club music.
What can we expect in the next 6 months for DJ Def Rok?
I will have a Track out and released. I will continue touring. Doing Radio Mixes for RNB Fridays & The Drop nationwide. I will continue ROKing shows everywhere I go. As long as there is music I will be around
To find out more about DJ Def Rok follow the following links: Facebook - click here
Soundcloud - click here
Booking Info - click here
