Interview: DJ Sarasa
We speak with the Tokyo hip-hop DJ and all-round dime ahead of her mini tour of Oz
Words ACCLAIM Staff
You might remember DJ Sarasa from our Japan issue and while this hip-hop DJ is cute as hell, she has the skills to match and can spin with the very best of them in the genre. Sarasa grew up in New York break dancing her way through her teens until she discovered her love of sharing music with her peers. Crossing hip-hop, funk, disco, soul and house music, she is now one of the most acclaimed DJs in Japan and runs her own lifestyle label Mynority Classics. We caught up with her quickly to ask a few q’s about her career and what we can expect from her upcoming Oz gigs.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you ended up as a DJ?
I started break-dancing when I was a teenager and when I started collecting records for me to break to, I was sharing music that I thought was dope. I then realized I knew more about music than my peers and it got me thinking… I should DJ.
What attracted you specifically to hip-hop?
Growing up in New York as an Asian, I faced a lot of discrimination and ended up having pretty low self-esteem. It wasn’t until I discovered hip-hop that I felt I could really be myself and be happy being me.
Other than DJing and breakdancing, you started your own fashion line and do a lot of hip-hop promotion. Did you always want to be in the hip-sop scene or did it just happen?
It just happened naturally through my life experiences and my surroundings.
Describe you’re average day to us…
Wake up, eat, practice, meetings for MYNORITY CLASSICS and gigs, nap, internet promotional work, eat, gig, eat, sleep.
What is the hip-hop scene like in Japan? In what ways do you think it differs from the States?
The difference between the US and the Japanese hip-hop scene is that there isn’t so much rivalry between crews and regions. It’s more about enjoying, sharing, and discovering music together with respect. That is why many people who visit Japan and go to shows usually feel that it’s a lot friendlier.
What are some current popular acts or trends in rap/hip-hop in Japan?
This is a difficult question to answer since many hip-hop heads still appreciate the 90s era and are still stuck in those times.
What’s the general perception of female DJs in Japan?
There isn’t a different perception of the gender of a DJ in Japan.
How does it feel to be a woman in the hip-hop industry over there?
I don’t feel any bias being a female hip-hop figure in Japan.
What has been your favourite gig you’ve played at to date?
My favorite gig so far was the DJ KENTARO CONTRAST release party in June of 2012.
What’s your favourite part of bringing hip-hop music to the world?
Watching people dance to my DJ sets and to my mixes.
How do you prepare your sets and cater for different countries?
It all depends on what is going on around me, who is playing before me, and what music I am surrounded by at that time.
You mainly mix funk, soul, hip-hop and jazz beats. Who or what are your main influences?
My main influences technique-wise would be DJ Spinbad and Kid Capri.
I noticed you mainly use vinyl and turntables. Some say that vinyl is dying out. What’s your take on it; do you think it’s still a viable way for DJs to spin their music?
Absolutely. If you don’t know how to spin records, then you are not a proper DJ.
You’ve released OWL (2007), Mr. B-Girl (2009) and a compilation Hip Hop is funk and Jazz. Can we expect to see another compilation or mix CD soon?
Yes, I just released “Paradise Funk” under P-Vine Records last month. “Paradise Funk (SUNSHINE)” is the first volume of a 3-part iTunes Japan exclusive series of mixtapes through P-VINE. The 3 part concept series comprised of “Sunshine”, “Wind”, and “Moon” will be released over the next 3 months. In December I will be releasing “Love Lost” under Jazzy Sport. “Love Lost” will be my 18th mix CD.
What’s the most annoying thing someone can do to a DJ?
The most annoying thing for me is when a DJ cannot use turntables.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a DJ?
The most rewarding thing about being a DJ is when people tell me how glad they are to have come out to see me spin.
If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be doing?
I would be a Principal of a school somewhere in Japan.
Tour Dates:
Melbourne:
20/10 Laundry Bar and Fabrique
28/10 The Public Bar
Adelaide:
24/10 Sugar
Perth:
26/10 The Manor
You might remember DJ Sarasa from our Japan issue and while this hip-hop DJ is cute as hell, she has the skills to match and can spin with the very best of them in the genre. Sarasa grew up in New York break dancing her way through her teens until she discovered her love of sharing music with her peers. Crossing hip-hop, funk, disco, soul and house music, she is now one of the most acclaimed DJs in Japan and runs her own lifestyle label Mynority Classics. We caught up with her quickly to ask a few q’s about her career and what we can expect from her upcoming Oz gigs.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you ended up as a DJ?
I started break-dancing when I was a teenager and when I started collecting records for me to break to, I was sharing music that I thought was dope. I then realized I knew more about music than my peers and it got me thinking… I should DJ.
What attracted you specifically to hip-hop?
Growing up in New York as an Asian, I faced a lot of discrimination and ended up having pretty low self-esteem. It wasn’t until I discovered hip-hop that I felt I could really be myself and be happy being me.
Other than DJing and breakdancing, you started your own fashion line and do a lot of hip-hop promotion. Did you always want to be in the hip-sop scene or did it just happen?
It just happened naturally through my life experiences and my surroundings.
Describe you’re average day to us…
Wake up, eat, practice, meetings for MYNORITY CLASSICS and gigs, nap, internet promotional work, eat, gig, eat, sleep.
What is the hip-hop scene like in Japan? In what ways do you think it differs from the States?
The difference between the US and the Japanese hip-hop scene is that there isn’t so much rivalry between crews and regions. It’s more about enjoying, sharing, and discovering music together with respect. That is why many people who visit Japan and go to shows usually feel that it’s a lot friendlier.
What are some current popular acts or trends in rap/hip-hop in Japan?
This is a difficult question to answer since many hip-hop heads still appreciate the 90s era and are still stuck in those times.
What’s the general perception of female DJs in Japan?
There isn’t a different perception of the gender of a DJ in Japan.
How does it feel to be a woman in the hip-hop industry over there?
I don’t feel any bias being a female hip-hop figure in Japan.
What has been your favourite gig you’ve played at to date?
My favorite gig so far was the DJ KENTARO CONTRAST release party in June of 2012.
What’s your favourite part of bringing hip-hop music to the world?
Watching people dance to my DJ sets and to my mixes.
How do you prepare your sets and cater for different countries?
It all depends on what is going on around me, who is playing before me, and what music I am surrounded by at that time.
You mainly mix funk, soul, hip-hop and jazz beats. Who or what are your main influences?
My main influences technique-wise would be DJ Spinbad and Kid Capri.
I noticed you mainly use vinyl and turntables. Some say that vinyl is dying out. What’s your take on it; do you think it’s still a viable way for DJs to spin their music?
Absolutely. If you don’t know how to spin records, then you are not a proper DJ.
You’ve released OWL (2007), Mr. B-Girl (2009) and a compilation Hip Hop is funk and Jazz. Can we expect to see another compilation or mix CD soon?
Yes, I just released “Paradise Funk” under P-Vine Records last month. “Paradise Funk (SUNSHINE)” is the first volume of a 3-part iTunes Japan exclusive series of mixtapes through P-VINE. The 3 part concept series comprised of “Sunshine”, “Wind”, and “Moon” will be released over the next 3 months. In December I will be releasing “Love Lost” under Jazzy Sport. “Love Lost” will be my 18th mix CD.
What’s the most annoying thing someone can do to a DJ?
The most annoying thing for me is when a DJ cannot use turntables.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a DJ?
The most rewarding thing about being a DJ is when people tell me how glad they are to have come out to see me spin.
If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be doing?
I would be a Principal of a school somewhere in Japan.
Tour Dates:
Melbourne:
20/10 Laundry Bar and Fabrique
28/10 The Public Bar
Adelaide:
24/10 Sugar
Perth:
26/10 The Manor
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