DJ Kamikaze

27/08/2025

Since my set at Wiggle Room wasn't recorded, I'll be recreating it and recording it and putting it online for all to enjoy. I had a blast with it.

26/08/2025

Ok what I'm about to say may be controversial and may irk some people, but I really don't give AF. It's about the whole Sync button debate on the CDJs and DJ's who use it vs those who don't.

I don't have much experience on CDJs or any decks that have it for that matter and over the last few weekends I was thrust upon them and had to adapt, but in that time I was able to watch a few DJ's use the decks to just see how they use them.

For the DJ's that don't use the Sync button, this is what they do. They play the track in Cue and adjust the pitch so the BPM on the one screen matches the BPM of the track currently playing, then they mash "Cue" to time their track to come in on a phase and hit Play when they want it then hit the jog wheel a bit to make sure the beats line up and are in the same spot.

For the DJ's that DO use Sync, they have the Beat Sync Button on, no need to change the pitch to match the BPM numbers and then do exactly the same thing with the cue and play buttons and use the jog wheel to make sure tracks are in the same groove beat wise.

EXACTLY THE SAME OUTCOME

SO! My thoughts???

Why not use the sync button? All you are doing is saving yourself a few seconds to not have to match two numbers on two different screens. Everything else is pretty much the same. Not using the Sync doesn't really change what you do on those decks much. It's only a time saver.

Now of course, this is from my observations and there is probably some DJ's out there that do it differently, don't grid up their tracks prior and go by sound like we used to, kudos, I get it. I may be missing something as I said, I don't have much experience on them.

What I do know is with my b***y tracks, gridding is vital. Tempo changes and floating BPM's are a part of the genre as it's some of the worst produced and inconsistent music in the game, and when I played vinyl, I had to CONSTANTLY baby my mixes with my fingers on the wax and platter, CDJ's feel a little more unforgiving to me and slide past my desired speed it feels, so gridding has made that so much easier when using digital gear.

I've tried both Sync and not Sync and from what I learned, there was no difference. Same routine, one is just a slight time saver and make your life a little easier and gives you more time to do what you do instead of playing the on screen BPM number matching game. THAT'S IT!!

If I'm missing anything, please point it out.

Technology is here to make your life easier and if you are a true DJ, you don't need to prove you can beat match, I certainly don't fkn need to. Who cares!! Make the floor move, make them go nuts, make sure you have good track selection, good timing and can read a crowd, that's all that matters.

My $0.02

24/08/2025

Well Toronto. It was a whirlwind trip but such an amazing day yesterday, but I am wiped and at my gate ready to board for home.

Thank you again to PHANTOM namely Christina Barron for having me at Phantomfest. Was a great show and will do it anytime!!

And of course Wiggle Room last night was off the chain! It proves to me that Toronto still loves the old Chicago & Ghetto House as much as they did 20+ years ago. KILLER vibe last night! Thank you all at the wiggle room and thank you all who came up and said "Hi" and "Wicked set".

Not sure when I'll be back! Until then keep doing what your doing. Toronto's nightlife is one of the best!

I heard a quote recently after turning 50 that getting old kinda feels like being homesick for a time and a place that no longer exists, but yesterday definitely felt like old times.

Much love!

24/08/2025

Wiggle room bumping tonight!! I'm on at 4am! You can still make it!!!!

23/08/2025

Just finished up at PHANTOMfest and now back at my hotel to rest up for my 4am slot at wiggle room and then fly back home to Vancouver.

I want to thank Christina Barron and the entire crew for hosting and providing such an environment for everyone!!

Ok now sleep - see you at wiggle room for a more Chicago house vibes from 4-5am!!!

23/08/2025

I have landed and back in Toronto, you have been warned.

22/08/2025

On my way to Toronto. Watching poker and using the free wifi. Techmology!!!! Who's all hitting PHANTOM and Wiggle Room tomorrow?!

22/08/2025

So just learned I'll be throwing down from 4-5am at Wiggle room. A late night Chicago and ghetto house beat down like old times

21/08/2025

YAY!! It's an old pic, I'm older, fatter, and have more beard, but I still rock it!! Come! Get down and dirty with me!

🚀 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 🚀

A Legend from our Rave Tape Era 🚀✨ DJ Kamikaze

DJ Kamikaze - a 30+ year veteran who has rocked sound systems worldwide, evolving from 80's hip hop pioneer to becoming one of Toronto's most sought-after DJs for Chicago Hard House in the mid-90s. Known for his lightning-fast mixing and turntablism skills, he could drop a staggering number of tracks in a single set.

As both performer and industry professional, DJ Kamikaze co-founded Kamikaze Productions from 1996 to the mid 2000’s, hosting events that broke single-night attendance records in Toronto while distributing Chicago Hard House labels to the city's record stores. He later founded Throwdown Beats label and organized celebrated 25-year reunion events in Toronto.

His production journey began in 1998 at Chicago's legendary Mix Connection studios owned by Bad Boy Bill, where he created his debut track "King of Bass" with Angel Alanis. This led to his breakthrough "T-Dot Throwdown EP" on Bass Heavy Music in 2005, followed by releases on respected labels including 50HZ and Jackstar Recordings. He formed production duo "The Jack Foundation" with Chicago vocalist Mr. Eyez, cementing his connection to the city's underground sound leading to worldwide tours.

DJ Kamikaze has shared stages with legends including DJ Funk, Assault, DJ Godfather, DJ Boogie, and 2 Live Crew to name but just a few, while performing at major international festivals such as Decibel, Dance Valley in Amsterdam, Tomorrowland, Footworxx in Belgium, and SoundHaus in Glasgow. He helped pioneer the Ghetto Jackin' Techno sound, creating a hard, rugged fusion of in-your-face techno with Chicago's jackin' flavor.

From Chicago Hard House to the B***y House revival to Ghetto Jackin' Techno innovation, DJ Kamikaze has consistently stayed ahead of the curve while honoring the roots of Chicago's underground sound. His name remains synonymous with authentic jackin' Chicago flavor worldwide.

👉 RSVP + info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1571906537769?aff=oddtdtcreator

Catch him live at PHANTOMFEST: Open Air | a FREE festival, Saturday Aug 23 @ Leslie Lookout Park.
🎶 Free entry | Donations keep the music alive.

***yHouse