For more than 30 years, DJ 151 has been woven into the fabric of Vancouver hip-hop, long before the city’s scene started getting wider national attention. From spinning at East Van parties in the early ’90s to sharing stages with legends like Nas, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, Warren G and E-40, the veteran DJ and producer has quietly built one of the most respected resumes on the West Coast.
Known offstage as Savinder “Junior” Bali, 151 has worn just about every hat imaginable over the years: club DJ, radio host, producer, event curator, mentor and community advocate. Whether crafting projects like The New Vintage and No Borders or rocking crowds alongside hip-hop heavyweights across North America, his approach has always been rooted in authenticity, connection and a deep love for the culture.
In recent years, his story has expanded beyond music. Alongside his ongoing production work and live shows, DJ 151 has dedicated time to mental health advocacy, recovery support and community outreach in East Vancouver — experiences that have reshaped both his life and perspective.
HipHopCanada caught up with 151 to talk about his beginnings, Vancouver hip-hop history, working with West Coast icons, sobriety, classic cars, and what still keeps him motivated after three decades in the game.
DJ 151 (Photo: Supplied)
DJ 151 Interview
HipHopCanada: What Inspired you to pursue a career path to become a DJ?
DJ 151: I have an uncle who introduced me to all my life’s interests. He is my mom’s only brother, Rajesh. He had the coolest stereo gear, cars and was into drawing as well. He DJ’d a few weddings for the family when I was around 10 years old, and I tailed him like a shadow. Basically, whatever he did, I just followed along and tried to be him! Fast forward to elementary school, I DJ’d a few class parties, home parties, and finally my coming out was my cousin Sonny’s 16th birthday MARCH 12,1992 at Sunrise hall in East Van. That party had a lot of peeps from all over, and basically put me on the map in the neighbourhood. I used 2 home turntables, 2 CD players, 2 tape decks and a 4 channel Realistic mixer [Laughing].
Then I watched the movie Juice like most DJs, lost my mind, and everything else is history.
In 1996, I became the DJ for legendary East Van hip-hop group CIA with Vic Vodka & The P Man. We entered the DJ Sound Wars competition at PNE in 1997 for best rap group. We ended up taking first place and that was the beginning of my life as a live stage DJ for hip-hop groups. To date, I have been a part of the opening slots for Nas, Snoop, Too Short, Bone Thugs, E40, Warren G, The Game, Sean Paul, The Dogg Pound, Cypress Hill, Ice-T, Akon, Mike Jones and even Sarah Mclachlan.
HipHopCanada: Apart from being a premier DJ you are also a producer, how long have you been creating your own records?
DJ 151: Since 2014. I went to my neighbourhood homie Alvin Reddy (aka Poetikz) home studio one night after work. He would always ask me to check out his spot and collaborate with him. BUT, I knew nothing about production or anything related, all I knew was the 1s and 2s. Honestly, I was very computer illiterate [Laughing].
Anyway, I went there after work at around midnight one night. He had a beat station and an engineering station. I sat down, and started fucking around in the beat station. In about 30 minutes, I put a drum sequence together. Right then and there, I was hooked. In about six months, I had a catalogue of beats. I hit up some dope local rappers, a few well known ones like MadChild, Trajik, Hydro, Phixx Cravin’ and Kanabliss, and released my first studio album “The New Vintage” in March of 2015.
After some positive feedback from the first one, I released a follow up album “No Borders” in 2016 featuring Merkules, Ras Kass, WC (Westside Connection), Rappin 4 Tay, B-Legit (The Click) Celly Cel and many others.
I released “Twenty-Five” the EP commemorating 25 years of DJing in 2017 putting on some up and coming artists.
Then “Area Codes” in 2018 collaborating Canadian and American rappers. Great track “Vancity to Sactown” featuring Big Omeezy from “Sick Wid It.”
My last EP came the following year in 2019 titled “Sin City Sessions” which was recorded in Las Vegas at Digital Insight with Compton engineer Tiger Stylz. I brought in some amazing talent from LA, Vegas, Sacramento, Vancouver and Ohio.
Singles released: “Elephant in the Room” and “In My Bag.”
In addition, I have over 200 songs produced for over 2 dozen artists.
Photo: Supplied
HipHopCanada: You ran your own show called “Feast Or Famine” via Save On Radio. How long did this run for? and do you consider coming back to radio? or maybe even as a podcaster?
DJ 151: I hit up the legend Jay Swing when I heard there was a new station popping up and asked him if he wanted a West Coast inspired show on the station. He didn’t even hesitate and hooked it up immediately. It ran for over a year, then Covid hit…. I featured local artists and kept the playlist West Coast live on the 1s and 2s.
I also ran a live show on FB and IG called “VanCity Hip Hop Fix” from my studio with the legendary DJ Denise. That show was dope actually. We did an intimate interview followed by a live performance inside the studio. We ran that for about a year. Unfortunately due to lack of personal time, we ended the show.
I would love to get back into some form of media. I love talking about music, issues and empowerment.
HipHopCanada: You have worked with many DJ’s, producers and artists in the industry. What is one gem you can drop to anyone trying to pursue a career?
DJ 151: Don’t get butt hurt when you get rejected or if someone is not feeling your style. We all have different preferences and pallets when it comes to what we like.. just keep moving forward with a positive frame of mind.
In the beginning, I would get pissed if I didn’t get props or accolades. That really slowed my progress, hence my last full project was released in 2019. Mind you, music production and releasing music costs money and takes a lot of your time. Today, I make music to feel good and release my creative juices.
HipHopCanada: The Hip-Hop scene in Vancouver has been growing organically over the years as a veteran, what are your pro’s and con’s on the direction the movement has taken?
DJ 151: Organically yes, cohesively no. There is an abundance of talent. In my opinion, there is a lack of unity, teamwork and structure. Back when I started my production journey, my vision was to lead some youngins, veterans and hungry artists as a unified push. It worked for the first few years, but ended up going nowhere. I may have been a stubborn fucker lol, but the vision was right.. If you look at the successful movements in music, it’s a collective of artists going hard while having a person putting the package together, someone with experience to steer the ship. Unfortunately, egos clash, and people separate. End of the day, longevity and relevance prevails. 30 plus years, I am still here collecting cheques.
HipHopCanada: You recently just rocked The Rogers Forum Arena in Chilliwack B.C for the “West’s Best” Vol.1 which featured legends like DJ Quick, E-40, Tha Eastsidaz, Warren G and many more. How did this opportunity come to fruition? and what was your highlight from that event?
DJ 151: Yes, one of my old school brothers from high school Dean Fitzpatrick put the show on. He and I have been putting on intimate events every other year featuring some great artists since 2017. We did an event featuring The Rascals and Swollen Members recently, and it went amazingly well. He decided to put on a milestone event for Vancity. This is the first of many to come.
Highlights were meeting DJ Quik and KK from 2nd II None. I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with all the others on multiple occasions. People asking me to take pictures with them was also a trip. It was humbling and so unexpected. Then at the end of the show, I was just chilling with all the artists in E40’s dressing room. It was a pinch me moment for sure. Lastly, just all the support from everyone that showed up, the messages from fans of the show.. everything. Everything was fuckin’ perfect.
HipHopCanada: Apart from music, what are some of your other hobbies or passions?
DJ 151: My Intrinsic passion is service to the recovery/ mental health community. I have been sober for like 3 years and I do weekly volunteer service work for a few organizations. I am also a peer support mental health worker for Coast Mental Health supporting people throughout the East Vancouver community.
I am a big car enthusiast. I own a couple classic cars, a drop top 1964 Pontiac lowrider and a 1990 Trans Am. Those are my toys. I take them out to car shows, gatherings and cruises all spring and summer.
Cooking is also a passion. All kinds of whatever. Love playing poker. The competition, adrenaline rush and patience required. Its just a dope mix bag of different skills.
I also have an obsession with KISS, the band. Don’t ask, kind of like a cultic thing, Those who know, know…
HipHopCanada: You wear many hats and have become an award winning elite DJ for private events & weddings. Which do you prefer, more private events or club events?
DJ 151: Private events for the paper, club events for the shits and giggles.
People have put a great emphasis on the importance of getting the right DJ for their events, and the market value of it is evident. I moved on from the club scene like 25 years ago. BUT, those club residencies were the foundation for being able to make a very comfortable living as a DJ for private events.
Photo: Supplied
HipHopCanada: Raised in East Vancouver with Fijian/Indian roots, how has your culture influenced or helped mold who you are today?
DJ 151: My cultures have always been heavily rooted in unity, hard work, love and humility. Don’t get it twisted though, growing up in East Van, I had to learn a lot of hard lessons and when I finally understood the meaning of self value through culture, self compassion and humility, I became a much more balanced person. I definitely have evolved into a productive member of society by being non judgemental, accepting, giving and compassionate. The ego is out, the humility is in, and it feels great.
HipHopCanada: Who are some of your favorite Canadian HipHop Artists? And do you recommend any up and coming artists that the audience needs to get familiar with?
DJ 151: Choclair, Ghetto Concept, Kardinal, Mo Moshiri.
Up and coming, I like Fleetwood Huey, Big Koob, Casta Troy.
HipHopCanada: As a producer If you could have a dream collab with any artist who would that be with?
DJ 151: Well… Let’s just say it might be coming true. That’s all I will say.
HipHopCanada: What can we expect from DJ 151 in the near future?
DJ 151: Two singles to released before summer:
- “Tequila Sunrise” feat Gold Kid, OG Vega and Kleen Prinz. All Spanish hip-hop song with dancehall a hook, for the lowrider community.
- “Lil Bit of This” feat Ana Santos, Vic Vodka and Kanabliss. Old school summer bbq vibes.
Also I have multiple songs coming out from collabs in the Bay Area with some established artists. “Lock In” and by Big Omeezy and Deadly Hash just released. Anti-ICE song. Fuck Trump. Fuck ICE.
HipHopCanada: Any last shout out’s?
DJ 151: Shouts to my Wife Doreen for being my number one supporter. To my mom Savita who has taught and shown me perseverance, courage, love and patience. My grandmother (Bibi) who was the light of my whole family’s eye. Shouts to all the hip-hop community worldwide for giving us a platform to be free. And lastly, my best buddy, my dog Oliver who brightens up my shittiest days always.
5 Ways to Support HipHopCanada:
- Submit Your Music
- Follow Canadian Fresh (HipHopCanada’s Spotify Playlist)
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on X (Twitter)
- Like us on Facebook
