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The Sample Man
Hip-Hop's master of the sampler talks tracks with students.
By Emily Singer
Berklee.edu Correspondent
June 27, 2002
There nearly wasn't enough room in the David Friend Recital Hall for all the Berklee students that wanted to hear what DJ Shadow had to say in a recent visit to campus. Students stood along the rear wall, filled the aisles, and peered from the balcony as he talked about his music and played a track from his newest CD, "The Private Press."
Sean Cooper, writing for the All Music Guide, describes DJ Shadow as a "key figure in developing the experimental, instrumental hip-hop style associated with the London-based Mo' Wax label. His early singles for the label, including 'In/Flux' and 'Lost and Found (S.F.L.),' were eclectic mini-masterpieces combining elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, ambient, jazz, soul, and used-bin incidentalia."
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| DJ Shadow took a break from a recent promotional tour to give the Berklee clinic. |
| Photo by Steven Webber |
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Muzik recently proclaimed DJ Shadow's release "Endtroducing…" to be the "greatest dance album of all time." The many turns of his career have included tours with bands like Radiohead, collaborations on mix CDs, and a recent appearance in the film "Scratch."
Professor of Music Production and Engineering Stephen Webber introduced the artist to the students, and thanked Berklee trustee and Newbury Comics CEO Mike Dreese for his help in bringing DJ Shadow to the college.
DJ Shadow began by taking a few minutes to chronicle his own ascent into music, entertaining the crowd with anecdotes about his upbringing. Later, he talked about his growth as an artist, the music industry, and his Post-It note system for acquiring music to sample. Check out what he had to say on those topics and a few others:
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From left to right, Professor of Music Production and Engineering Stephen Webber, DJ Shadow, and Berklee trustee Mike Dreese. |
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Photo by Emily Singer |
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On his earliest DJ experiences, as a five-year-old
I was putting toys on my turntable and watching them go round.
On how he landed his own radio show and, subsequently, recording contracts
Persistence is the ultimate key…and confidence that you're presenting something different.
On hip-hop, and how it helped him appreciate an array of genres
Hip-hop embraces all kinds of music. Hip-hop is a portal, and that's what it's designed as.
On playing live
The sampler is my instrument. I have respect for anybody who plays live music.
On what catches his ear
The records I like to sample are not great records… but they have moments of genius. I look for…some strange little moments of brilliance.
On having a passion for his career
Music just did it for me. I could get anywhere with music. I could go anywhere.
Emily Singer is a publicist in Berklee's Office of Public Information.
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