It’s not often I have the chance to do something on DJs. There are so many artists get so much shine in blogs, newspapers and magazines that we tend to overlook the perosn that actually brings the artist’s music not only on the forefront, but in existence. Therefore, we have to respect the DJ.
First at bat, is a DJ from Brooklyn by way of Tokyo, Japan by the name of DJ Toshi, host of Classic Storm Radio, who occasionally spins the classic, golden era hip-hop that is responsible for his introduction and allure to the culture. His show has spread globally, now broadcasting on BMradio.de in Germany and HipHopNews.ro in Romania. I have a little one on one time with Toshi to talk more about the show and his musical upbringing in the Far East.
Mika:. How did you start Classic Storm Radio?
Toshi: I started Classic Storm Radio in 2007. Our main focus has been to break new underground hip hop records and artists. I thought we needed more platform for that back then. I started making my mixes and sending to some of the radio stations and outlets to let em know about Classic Storm Radio. That’s how I met Radiohiphop and bunch of other stations and outlets that ever aired my shows.
Mika: How would you describe your first radio gig?
Toshi: When Chezrock & I were recording one of the first shows at my studio in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn , the building next to us caught a fire. We had to evacuate and abandon everything..I don’t remember if we saved the show we recorded that day… I was like ” How are we gonna bring all this stuff out? ” Chez was like…. ” just grab your document ! We gotta get outta here…” lol. S/O to Jabori & Esco.We were enjoying the process of making the mix shows back then.
Mika: What makes your station unique?
Toshi: Commercial free and play music that only I think Fire! That makes the Classic Storm Radio flavor alive!
Mika: What is your favorite part of the job?
Toshi: I can play music i think dope and support my people’s movement as well. I can always update my knowledge about new artists and new music because i keep doing the new show.
Mika: What gave you that initial push to become a DJ?
Toshi: There wasn’t initial push for me but it became inevitable as time went by. I was dancing in the beginning, but my passion for music became bigger and bigger and led me to become a DJ and I was in New York one day…
Mika: What was your first record you bought?
Toshi: I picked some random vinyl records from 1 or 2 dollar crates at Manhattan record store in Tokyo. I believe I got Fu-Schnickens single, Kid ‘N Play and some other stuff…lol.
Mika: How big is your vinyl collection?
Toshi: Most of my collection are still in Japan. I couldn’t afford to bring them to New York when I moved in here.
Mika: What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Toshi: When I was a kid, I grew up listening to Japanese pop music and I didn’t listen to radio. Radio wasn’t a part of my childhood. I first got interested in rap music and breakdancing when I was around 13 years old . I listened and watched it on the Japanese national TV show which was very commercial and far from true hip hop culture. However, the impact that I got from this show was tremendous. I run into the public library in my neighbor and looked for any rap music in there. I remember I found only a few rap cassette tapes. I borrowed one of the rap compilation albums and made a copy for myself. I still remember it today. When I was in high school, I was deeply into hip hop art form, dancing, DJing and going to record digging almost every day. I used to buy some of the New York radio show copies which had been sold in a few stores in Tokyo. Those were actually cassette tapes bootlegged from actual radio shows in New York and shipped to Japan and sold around 10 bucks. I had to pay to listen to radio show back then…lol. My favorite shows were Rap Attack with Mr Magic & Marley Marl, Future Flavas, The Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito show, etc!
Mika: What music do you listen to when you are not working?
Toshi: I listen to all kinds of music. I wish I could have more time for it.
Mika: What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Toshi: I think passion for music keeps me going and being constant. Music just keep inspiring me.
Catch Toshi’s Classic Storm Radio on Podomatic
