TLDR: DJ Kemo interview explores his 35-year career, from Rascalz shows in Colombia to videography, and his thoughts on Canada’s evolving hip-hop scene.
Following our recent interview with West Coast legend Checkmate, HipHopCanada caught up with another cornerstone of Canadian hip-hop: DJ Kemo. For over 35 years, the Vancouver-based producer, DJ, and engineer has played a defining role in shaping the national sound — from early Rascalz records to international stages and underground cyphers.
As a founding member of The Rascalz, Kemo was part of the movement that helped solidify Vancouver’s voice on the map, even when the rest of the world wasn’t listening.
He’s shared stages with some of the greatest to ever do it, from Gang Starr to Busta Rhymes. He’s also rocked international crowds like Bogotá’s Hip Hop al Parque,” where 25,000 fans rapped along to cuts off the Global Warning LP.
But Kemo’s never been one to stand still. These days, he’s as comfortable behind a camera lens as he is behind a mixing board, using videography as a fresh creative outlet while continuing to build with the next wave of talent.
In this recent Q&A, he reflects on missed opportunities, timeless shows, and what still keeps him pushing after three decades in the game.
Photo: Supplied
DJ Kemo Interview
HipHopCanada: Being involved in the industry for over three decades, what can you tell us about the evolution of Hip-Hop in Canada?
DJ Kemo: It’s been amazing to see the evolution of it, from Maestro Fresh Wes and Dream Warriors to Kardinal, Choclair, Saukrates, Ghetto Concept now to Drake, Tory and other international legends! Canada has had real competitive talent and it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world paid attention!
HipHopCanada: Any new Canadian artists that you have been listening to or in your playlist that we should be aware about?
DJK: I’m a little out the loop with this new generation but Vancity has one of the dopest underground hip-hop artists like Alcatraz (@papi.cthulhu) Hard Body Dreams (@hbdthegod888) Ekke (@itsekke) and Reflectionz (@reflectionztv dropping some incredible bars, plus Young Kazh (@young.kazh916) got a dope new LP out.
HipHopCanada: Apart from being a premier DJ / Producer / Engineer you also have taken up Videography. What made you leap from the boards to the lens?
DJK: Not sure to be honest, I just really enjoyed playing with the camera and editing the footage after, It’s just another great creative outlet for me. Its an ongoing learning experience for me & big shout and thanks to my mentors Steven Guevara @guevarafilms, Oso Alexander (@thisisoso) for all the classes and tutorials. I don’t do vidz often but like playing with all the new effects and techniques that keep popping up.
HipHopCanada: Legendary West Coast group The Rascalz Turns 35 years. What has been your biggest gig to date and what is your most fond Memory as a group?
DJK: Definitely the 2004 show in Bogota Colombia “Hip Hop al Parque” was about 25,000 kids and surprisingly enough they knew a lot of our “Global Warning” LP was an amazing vibe rocking to that many people. And it a big festival dedicated 100% to real underground hip-hop. There was rappers and b-boys and graf artists from all over Latin America. Never seen anything close to that in Canada.
But other fond memories are opening and recording with KRS-1 and touring Europe with COMMON, and opening for countless other dope artists, Beatnuts, Barrington Levy, The Roots, Gang Starr, Busta Rhymes and many more. Oh and the old school tribute show we got to do with Drake and all the Toronto crew back in july 2022 was incredible too. Epic night.
Photo: Supplied
HipHopCanada: Being on both sides of the industry fence being signed and independent what can you tell us you would do differently if you were to do it all over again?
DJK: I would say in our situation, like most Canadians even in this day and age, you are lucky to find a label to sign you. Back then it was super vital to break through and get to that next level of success. We were very fortunate and blessed to have Sol Guy help achieve this for us. But if I could go back, I would have just taken more advantage of the situations and opportunities we had at the time.
As far as getting our music licensed and sync’d for other outlets, and breaking into the US… that was a real task back then, We should have done more touring (even if it was making us no money), hitting the streets promoters and doing radio and DJ mixtapes with more of the American scene, We had some great situations that we should have capitalized on a little more.
HipHopCanada: How do you stay current with the latest trends? And what would you love to see come back that the game has been missing?
DJK: Man, to me the latest “trends”—I hate this word by the way, so corny the people who follow it and wanna be keeping up with it—and most new music and artists really don’t do it for me, to be honest. There are some rappers I like but most of them keep it vintage and rep that old school style. So ya, I don’t care much for trying to stay current, I just do what I do and sometimes it comes out “current” sounding. (Laughing)
HipHopCanada: What’s a small piece of advice you would give to up-and-coming producers trying to tap into the industry?
DJK: Try to find artists that are naturally talented AND driven / focused AND also have good positive personalities. Try avoid the big headed foo’s, they will become ungrateful, use you and leave you behind (if they ever achieve success). But ya, reaching out to upcoming artists with talent is key. Don’t be shy, just share your material and try to collab as much as possible. The more people using your music the more likely something break through.
HipHopCanada: What can we expect from DJ Kemo in the near future?
DJK: Still working with a few real talented artists, but most the projects are their own. Im not currently working on any of my own personal releases, but hopefully one of these people im working with catch some shine and get my music poppin’ once again!! Few artist to mention are… Tugstar, Fito Blanko, Cerbeus, ItzDaPrince, Kanabliss, Reflectionz, NM, PBC.
