It seems like you're more comfortable with giving us a part of you that you kept quiet about until now.
"You're pretty much right on the money. There were things I just put on here instead of censoring. I'm always making a concerted effort to evolve,whether its for a solo album, soul position, or a production collab with someone, or a remix. Evolving is what I thought was the very obvious goal."
?uestlove of The Roots said 'Dead Ringer' was one of his favourite albums of the year in 2002. Do you have high expectations for 'Since We Last Spoke'?
"I'm trying not to. I realize that this record is a lot more challenging than I thought when I recorded it. we'll see how it does-I can't ask for too much."
You started as a DJ and Producer for Ohio based group Megahertz. Talk us through how you came to release your own stuff ?
"In my downtime, I would do stuff on my own, just for fun. The big challenge was getting it to a point where the songs were full enough that they didn't sound empty without an mc on them. It's still a challenge."
You've done some excellent remixes for British bands like Elbow and Massive Attack, how did these projects come about?
"Thankyou. They approached me, and I thought, hey, this would be an interesting thing. the elbow especially-the song was in 6/8, and had a singer, so I had to stay in key."
You once said 'Dead Ringer' was an argument for instrumental hip hop. Do you ever find yourself having to justify your work?
"A little with this record, but not before that. I think at this point, people that hear it can at least understand that I'm trying to make songs, not beats, even if they don't like it."
Have you developed your skill through years of trial and error or have you always been a natural genius with a sampler?
"I still do shitty beats all the time. It's all in the editing and I dont put out the garbage."
We're all waiting for an RJD2 soundtrack. Is this something you'd be interested in?
"I'd do a soundtrack if it was the right thing."
What would you say are your top 5 soundtracks of all time ?
"Hmmmmmmm. Tough one. Top 5? Goonies, Tron, Apocalypse Now, Sopranos, The Shining."
Who (apart from R2D2) is your favourite Star Wars character
"Boba Fett."
What are your thoughts on the new Star Wars films?
"As far as I'm concerned, they dont exist!"
What can we expect from RJD2 in the future?
"I dont know. I dont think I will lose my taste for curveballs, but I really just want to make relevant hiphop records."
What are the 5 most played albums on your ipod at the minute?
"The new David Cross ('It's Not Funny' (live import), Sub Pop), the new prince ('Musicology', Columbia), Cody Chestnutt, Ghostface and Big Tymers."
For those of us queuing outside the Rescue Rooms what can we expect to see from you?
"4 turntables, 1 mpc, and lots of macarenaing."
RJD2 headlines Camouflage 'A New Hope' - Star Wars Special
The Rescue Rooms, Thursday 10th June
It's no secret that the past decade has seen a rise in the once anonymous DJ/Producer coming to the fore as an artist in their own right. Adam F, The Neptunes and DJ Shadow have all had their say. Now it's the turn of former Megahertz producer RJD2 to step up and take the world by storm... again.
28-year old RJ first got us talking in 2002 with his debut album for Definitive Jux 'Dead Ringer'. With his seemingly strict 'samples only' approach to making hip hop RJ made it clear he knew how to craft the perfect beat. The flawless blend of old skool soul samples, atmospheric synth lines and dance floor filling beats led us to believe he had developed a definite RJD2 sound.
So RJ has thrown us a mighty curve-ball with his second album 'Since We Last Spoke' (released May 17th on Def Jux). This rock - heavy, latin disco, hip hop brain bender is certainly as impressive technically as his previous projects but takes the unsuspecting listener further by offering an effortless diversity rarely found in instrumental hiphop today.
Your new album 'Since We Last Spoke' has caused quite a stir in the press, some even describing it as a rock album. How would you describe it?
"I don't think its too different, really there just arent any rappers on it, and there are one or two curveballs, whereas deadringer had none. I think its all around a better record."
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