DJ K in KIEV UKRAINE 2008 | DJ K in SAINT PETERSBURG RUSSIA 2009 DJ K is a Newschool Jungle DJ & Producer from Ottawa Canada. He has been prolific in the jungle / drum & bass scene since 1999 starting in Canada and North America and has been touring Europe since 2008. DJ K became famous from releases in the early millenium on N2O and Big Cat Records L.A. and soon afterwards many releases through various other record labels, as well as a growing catalog of over 100 unreleased tracks played exclusively at live shows. KILLA RECORDS is DJ K's record label featuring his unique Jungle´style featuring aggressive basslines, quick cuts, sudden drops and centered amen anthems with & without ragga vocals. 2011 INTERVIEW FOR EXPRESS BYDGOSKI | 2009 INTERVIEW FOR RAGGA-JUNGLE.COM.UA | 2004 INTERVIEW FOR RAGGA-JUNGLE.COM "... one of Ottawa's most promising new producers and jungle DJ's, who has a hardcore streak running right through him." Freedom Danish, 2000 "As a resident of the famous Stargate Fridays night in Ottawa, DJ K recklessly pulls out unique sounds from his repertoire. Those out on the floor when he steps up to the decks are rarely, if ever, disappointed." Shadowdance Productions, 2001 "Suffice it to say, this was without a doubt one of the best nights I've had in a while. I began my night with DJ K's set, which drove everyone into a mad frenzy of movement, and was highly instrumental in taking my mind off the madness of the city outside." Attendee @ Ready 2 Rumble Ottawa, 2000 "Rough and hard tracks are pulled out, of what seems to be an excellent repertoire, for a really solid jungle set. Clever track selection, mixing, and a ruthless build make this perfect for listening and the dance floor. This DJ is most definitely someone to watch out for." Tribe Magazine Toronto, 2002 "... one of the few people who mash-up the amens the right way" Soundmurderer Rewind Records Detroit, 2002 "If you've never seen DJ K... YOU SHOULD." Attendee @ Stargate Ottawa, 2001 SINCE 1999 | Constantly experimenting with recording and producing electronic music, K spent all of his spare time throughout the 90's producing and distributing underground mixtapes. At the turn of the millenium the Ottawa jungle scene is blowing up and DJ K performs a peak set to the jam-packed party "Ready 2 Rumble", unleashing a new & unique brand of mixing & selecting jump-up, oldschool, ragga, combining melodies in a tearout style. The effect on the Ottawa massive was immediate and profound: K quickly becoming an in-demand local favorite, offered residencies including the infamous Stargate Afterhours. He begins regularly playing raves and headlining shows in neighbouring cities for the next years including Toronto, London, Cambridge, Montreal, Quebec city, Guelph, Sudbury, and singing a sponsorship deal with local urban clothing company Norml. In this early thriving scene, K has the opportunity to play many shows, gaining valuable experience and testing new original tracks to the crowds every weekend. PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: DJ K Stargate Massive 2000 | W/Ryu Parliament Hill 2000 | W/Krinjah & Capital J 2002 | Killa Label Launch 2003 | MTL 2003 Heavily inspired by a small proliferation of ragga and amen releases, including Krinjah's "Return" and Soundmurderer's "Dreader than Dread", one night before the annual "Deelight" rave, DJ K finishes production on & for the first time drops Championz - realizing he has stumbled upon a style of music that is closest to his heart than ever before. After caining it on dubplate during the peak parts of his sets for several months, Championz gets signed to N2O, and is released the next summer on yellow & gold vinyl. The response to this anthem is incredible. Praise poured in for this landmark tune: relentless amen programming and stabbing basslines, a double-drop and clear ragga vocals. After several represses, the words "untouchable" and "modern ragga jungle classic" are being heard in many jungle circles. Realizing the potential in such a powerful style of music, A new personal vision is born, and DJ K searches the world for producers, meeting many founding members in the newly developing ragga jungle movement this year - exchanging tunes, making mixes and sharing their passions for a new twist on ragga jungle. PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Dubplates 2003 | Flaps Fest 2002 | Norml Catalog 2002 | Babylon Nightclub 2003 | Montreal 2000 By 2002, the mix "WAR!" is released which sets a footprint for jungle and ragga jungle sets that would follow K for the rest of his career. At the time the concept was simple: straight-to-the-point beats, newschool amens, quick cuts, throw in some sound effects, shout outs, dubplates, and don't slow the ruckus down until the sweet ending. By this time, a ragga revival is in full effect in North America, with ragga-only parties starting to pop up close to home. DJ K pushes hard promoting the sound playing many shows this year, including heavy back2back sets with Krinjah in Ottawa and General Malice in Toronto. Production continues for future releases and dubplates continue to be mutually traded, cut, cained and rewound between the growing ragga jungle movement. Summer of 2003, as both Canadian and American producers are pushing the new style of ragga harder than ever before, vinyl releases are starting to add up, new labels are being founded, and the N2O Diss da Program tour crosses North America featuring DJ K, Capital J and R.A.W. DJ K's next release of Big Cat 7 "murda / respect" sells out & fast on its heels comes Big Cat 9 "on a mission / flyin" which causes a tidal wave response from its clear-cut amens, vocals, soundclash shouts and uplifting rock influences. Early in 2003 DJ K launches his own record label KILLA as an output for the signature style of massive amen tunes. After a successful label launch party, KILLA001 "kill or be killed / brace yourself" is pressed and distributed around the world. The prolific mix "Fucking Shit Up v.1" becomes a staple for the N2O sound as a message to the world of the aggressive American ragga jungle sound and sets the stage for several other mixes in the next years. At the same time, DJ K releases the mix "Bloodclot Ragga Jungle 2" which was a first-time attempt to featuring 24 unreleased dubplates from primarily canadian ragga jungle producers leaning less towards the aggressive tech and dnb wise style and more towards a positive and organic sound. The result was a highly enjoyable blend of vocals and positivity. Within the next few years, many of the individual tracks appear on full vinyl releases as ragga jungle continues to spread its influence outwards. DJ K founds local jungle community messageboard and organizes a local producer showcase at the outdoor festival "urbanfest", pouring his heart and soul into a passion for the music and scene he could help build. The next year N2O 54 "hypocrites" is released, infusing heavy rock guitars and rough beats to ragga vocals. In the same year, the mix "jungle iz dead" is released, showcasing punk & metal guitars with jungle, as K attempts exposing aggressive ragga jungle even farther, discovering more rock/jungle projects from all corners of the world. KILLA002 "suffer / pounding dronez" is released, infiltrating the eastern european markets and spreading more of K's style of amen production. K continues to play locally, and travels twice to headline shows in Los Angeles, USA, the birth place of N2O records. After many years of working together, he finally meets with all of the west-coast America producers and supporters so close to K's style and directly influencial in each other's productions. The mix "Fucking Shit Up v.2" is released, even rougher than the first, becoming the second staple CD for the N2O sound. DJ K is interviewed on ragga-jungle.com and talks for the first time about mixing, producing and touring. PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Winter 2004 | Toronto w/Genearl Malice 2003 | w/R.A.W. 2004 | w/Keej 2005 | w/Shy FX 2002 | Record box 2003 With the local and North American ragga jungle movement changing shape, and after doing everything to push angry ragga as far as possible for years, late in 2004 and early into 2005 DJ K takes a step back and begins writing more minimal soulful dubplates. Notable tunes such as "ali baba" are added to K's library alongside the rougher dubs. While working on several different new types of jungle and breakbeat, DJ K and fellow Ottawa producer KGBkid team up to create "riaa's most wanted", a concept CD of 100% original bootleg jump-up hip hop remixes, with a live back2back performance in Toronto. Local jungle shows dwindle as many producers pursue other projects and begin exporting their music and playing overseas. While quiet at home, the worldwide ragga jungle community is gaining momentum. With successful parties supporting tons of wicked producers appearing in Europe all the time, DJ K begins to feel the undeniable pull towards the music he loves. Early in 2006, DJ K decides to return to his roots and reaches out in online communities to all ragga jungle producers worldwide, listening to hundreds of new songs, finding out about the scenes in ragga jungle circles overseas, learning about their inspirations and passions, making many new friends. After months of hard work, DJ K completes his biggest mix project to date: "summer mix 2006", a double-CD featuring 100% unreleased dubplates with shouts from the original producers, also with original artwork. The response is overwhelming - Summer Mix 2006 becomes the most downloaded DJ K mix to date, many of the individual tracks released on vinyl in the following years. After laying relatively low in the scene for the past couple of years, K feels extremely blessed for the warm welcome and proud to be once again a part of a growing international ragga jungle community filled with love & respect for an incredible evolving sound. January 2007, DJ K begins the Killa Podcast, showcasing his newest productions, new releases and putting spotlights on new and established artists in the mix. The podcasts continue to this date, an outlet for K's original passion of producing and distributing underground mixes to the masses. At the same time, Herbn 7 "glistent glow" 10" is released, and DJ K travels to headline in San Diego. The vast network between producers in North America and Europe continues to develop and K does everything he can from home to help support positivity & unity in what appears to be a growing, unstoppable ragga jungle community. After many conversations with longtime producers from the origination years as well as those he met since Summer Mix 2006 about production, touring and the European ragga jungle movement, DJ K finally makes the decision to leave Canada to discover Europe. April to May of 2008, DJ K's first European tour with Raggamuffin Whiteman, "Jungle Mash-up 2008". Headlining parties in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. In each city of each country, DJ K pours his entire heart out to the massive, dropping all the music he has been creating for years, brucking-out to the incredible exchange of excitement and energy in the crowd and behind the decks. K meets hundreds of fans and producers face-to-face, witnessing their pure devotion and love for the best music in the world, exchanging ideas, building so many friendships and giving everything possible to experience their respective scenes. After a mere 3 weeks, K returns to Canada carrying an urgency and inspiration from the live experiences, releasing some of the best and most focused podcasts to date. High-energy, tightly-mixed sets filled with positive messages. The strength of ragga jungle music in a worldwide family now is evident more than ever before. K plays radio spots and shows in Ottawa and Toronto, doing all he can to promote ragga jungle. Soon after returning to his hometown, a new ragga jungle massive is rising from the silence. In September, DJ K teams with Saxon to throw "Mighty Jungle Breakz", introducing Miss Mighty Melody's European ragga jungle flavor to Ottawa to a sold-out audience, killing them with positive vibez like never before. All Summer, K works closely with Mighty under a united vision for a positive future - unveiling a new Killa logo, identity and announcing the forthcoming vinyl release of KILLA003. Late in the year, DJ K teams up with Saxon and Mz Revolution to create Konkrete Jungle Ottawa, designing the flyer and new logo, representing a new chapter in the cities jungle scene, promoting with grassroots approach covering his hometown with the new jungle scene. KJ Ottawa runs strong as DJ K hits Europe for a second time for his next tour. Before flying across the ocean, Killa Digital is launched, with the release of 001, the "Hostile" 5-track EP, DJ K officially hits the digital market with some of his biggest unreleased tunes until this point. At the end of 2008 into 2009, after completing the well-received extended B2B mix with Mighty Melody, DJ K travels to Europe for the Killa Europe Tour 2009, playing packed shows with Mighty in Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Austria and Slovakia, spreading a blended message of jungle to the worldwide massive. Huge live B2B sessions to junglists young and old set the pace for the next podcasts and music projects. Summer of 2009, DJ K headlines a special Russian tour from Siberia to Saint Petersburg, then releasing a live podcast. Continuing the second part of the tour, K heads to Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.. spreading more good vibes and new jungle music, creating connections with friends in a growing junglist community. DJ K and Mighty begin working producing monthly jungle radio shows for Higher Beats in Germany feat. interviews and exclusive tracks from the biggest names in jungle. In 2009, DJ K releases his remixes of "Base 2 Dark" and "Poison" digitally on the well-established California label Dub Chamber. This was closely followed-up with another digital release on the Austrian label Clashplate with the Rage E.P., featuring his breakcore track "Inside of Me". At the very end of 2009, the very long-awaited "Ali Baba" sees release on Kingdom Records from the UK, alongside ragga jungle tracks by Debaser, Tester and R.A.W. Before the end of the year, DJ K's exclusive remix of Exodus Soundsystem's "Style Confusion" is released on 12" vinyl PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Mighty Jungle Breakz 2008 | Moscow Russia 2009 | w/ Mighty Melody, Debaser, Tester, Krinjah | Bratislava Slovakia 2009 2010, Podcasts reach 23 and is closely followed by the well-received Podcast 24 "Strictly Jungle". In February, DJ K and Mighty Melody head across the Atlantic for the first Killa North American tour, playing shows in Brantford, Ottawa, Montreal, Los Angeles, San Diego, Poloma, Orange County and Philadelphia alongside heavyweights like R.A.W. and Direct Feed. Shortly after a live mix is released as Podcast 25 and K & Mighty play with South Rakkas in Leipzig. Both are booked at the massive Austrian Spring Festival alongside Pendulum, Shy FX and Serial Killaz. Tons of new dubplates are being produced and cause mayhem on dancefloors worldwide. Podcasts 26-29 are completed and by mid 2010 and DJ K travels to Slovakia, Czech and the UK, interviewed in Bratislava for Signaii FM. Russian massive show appreciation for the newschool jungle both in Samara and Moscow and 1000 Ukrainians in Kiev show up for the outdoor Most festival. Podcast count reaches 31, with 3 additional published mixes, before the end of the year travels to Vienna, Chemnitz and Bristol. At the turn of the decade, DJ K travels to Ghent and releases the tearin anthems "Flyin 2010" remake alongside "Fook" on 12" vinyl Breaknest 04. K's next vinyl release is an original vocal track featuring Marina, produced in a boundary-splitting style of drum & bass, jump-up, jungle, amen tearouts and big happy hardcore piano stabs, on a double 12" vinyl Celestial Conspiracy 07. Killa Digital 002 and 001 are released featuring ragga elements, guest artists and VIP remixes. DJ K travels to Tel Aviv Isreal alongside Jackie Murda and lines up shows throughout the rest of the year in Germany, Austria, Poland, Lithuania, UK and Belgium. DJ K releases the massive jungle anthem Noize Check Remix on Dubchamber Digital, and releases exclusive RaveOurSouls remix with an oldschool throwback. DJ K produces first Jungle Discussion Podcasts, carrying up-to-date conversations with members of the scene around the world during his travels. KILLA004 vinyl is released on smoke-transparent colored vinyl. Tour continues onwards to Siberia, Ukraine to the end of the year. PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Kiev Ukraine 2010 | Vilnius Lithuania 2010 | Trnava Slovakia 2010 | Tel Aviv Isreal 2011 LISTEN TO ALL DJ K TRACKS BY CLICKING ON "TRACKS" IN THE TOP MENU | CONTACT DJ K TO RECEIVE ALL MIXES MENTIONED ON THIS PAGE