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DJ COUZ (MAY
2008) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola
 Dubcnn
recently connected with Japanese mixtape legend DJ Couz for an exclusive
interview. In this piece, we talk about the thriving West Coast
hip-hop scene in Japan. Couz explains what triggers Japanese fans to
enjoy the music so much, and he discusses his popular mixtape series
"Westside Ridin.'" After this, we talk about Couz's famous overseas
tours with Big Boy & E-Man of Power 106, and his experiences sharing the
stage in Japan with West Coast veterans like Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, Kurupt,
Damizza, Xzibit, and more.
Couz also tells us about his
current projects, which include Japanese versions of Young De's "Audio
Hustlaz," Guilty's "No Contest," and a new mixtape from Damizza. Read
on to find out about all of these topics and much more.
Please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to:
eddie@dubcnn.com
Interview was done in May 2008.
Questions & Additional Words by
Eddie
Gurrola
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dubcnn: We're here with DJ Couz!
How are you doing?
So good. I have checked out Dubcnn since I was in Japan. I glad I'm here!
Dubcnn: Give us a little bit of a background as to what you've been doing
in the music scene...
I've been a DJ for over 12 years, and I moved to L.A. six years ago. I have
been going back and forth between L.A. and Japan every month for four years
and doing tours with Big Boy & E-Man of Power 106 on tour for seven years. I
have been bringing hot West Coast music to Japan by releasing my mixtapes "Westside Ridin"
& "Jack Move" every month. While I stay in Japan, I spin West Coast music all across the country.
Dubcnn: How did you first get interested in West Coast hip-hop?
I've listened to all sorts of rhythmic music before West Coast music came
out. I got such a great impression of Snoop Dogg when "Deep Cover" was
released. That was 15 years ago. Then, I started digging West Coast records
like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, NWA, DPG, Cypress Hill, & E-40. At the
same time I saw the movie "Boyz-N-The Hood" and the lowrider was in it. I
was interested in West Coast culture, not only the music.
Dubcnn: Most of our readers have no idea how big West Coast hip-hop is in
Japan. Can you tell us about what the crowds are like at West Coast shows
out in Japan?
It's big in a slightly different way. The West Coast fans in Japan are
so enthusiastic about it. When Snoop did a show in Japan, a lot of people
wore the clothing like Snoop. When The Game came there, a lot of people
dressed like The Game and came by lowrider. It's not L.A. but it's like
L.A.! The artists who have been to Japan know this!
Dubcnn: Tell us about what you've been doing with Big Boy & E-Man of
Power 106 out on tour...
PLAYGROUND Ent. [Couz's company] has been doing Big Boy & E-Man's tour 12
times for seven years and invited many West Coast artists like DJ Quik,
Kurupt & Roscoe, Damizza, Baby Bash, Xzibit, Coolio, Lil Rob, & Shade Sheist.
It contributes to the development of the West Coast hip-hop scene in Japan.
Actually, we can hear Power 106 via cable radio in Japan. It's broadcasting
live! So Big Boy's Morning Show is Big Boy's Night Show in Japan because of
a time-zone difference. Big Boy & E-Man are famous & popular in the Japanese
hip-hop scene.
Dubcnn: You've been working with Damizza for some time now. What is it
like collaborating with him?
I've been working with Damizza for five years. We have done two Baby Ree
mixtapes & toured Japan together three times! His show last summer was at a
car show at the foot of Mt. Fuji! I am planning the next Damizza Japan
tour with Young De this summer, & I'm doing Young De's "Audio Hustlaz Japan
Edition" too. It's coming out in June.
Recently, we've been recording at "Granny's House of Hits." Damizza
has been helping me develop my skills as a producer. I produced
"Hustle Around The World" by Young De on the Japan Edition mixtape.
That's so bangin'. That's my favorite one! I spin the song in
Japan and have gotten such a good response from the audience. The song
will be a big hit in Japan. We've got a lot of tight songs that we've worked
on, so we do the next Baby Ree mixtape & the Guilty mixtape after Young
De's.
Dubcnn: What inspired you to get into music production?
I have no idea! But when I started DJing, I had already been getting
into music production. I don't speak English very well. So I feel the music,
not only lyrics, but the beats & the melody of the chorus, more than
anything. Some English-speaking people may say, "If you don't understand
English, you don't understand the music." But rappers always want to get the
beats that fit their lyrics. If the lyrics is all there is to understand the
music, they wouldn't need beats. I think we can feel the music by the
lyrics and the beats too. Music production, and DJing, are the best ways to
express myself through music.
Dubcnn: Thanks for sharing that with us Couz, it gives all of us here in
the U.S. a different perspective. Tell us about your Japanese mixtape
series, "Westside Ridin"...
The mixtape series "Westside Ridin'" is my most famous one that's introduced
many West Coast artists to Japan. I've been putting it out for six
years, & we're currently on Volume 25! I'm always looking for good
West Coast music. If you're an artist and have new music,
let me know right
now! Japan may be a great place for you to start building a fanbase.
Dubcnn: You're releasing Young De's "Audio Hustlaz" & Guilty's "No
Contest" mixtapes out in Japan next. From what you've seen out here in
the US, what are the differences, marketing wise, in how
these records are presented?
That's a very difficult question. I think the marketing in Japan may be more
difficult than in the US. A lot of Japanese people don't understand the
English, but they understand which song is better, or which song is the one
they want. So the most important thing is that the music is actually
tight. I think the song needs an easy, tight hook. I don't mean
that the record needs to be easy to make, but rather that it's easy to
remember for the listener. The songs need a good beat too, because the fans
feel most of the music through the production. I think the most
important things are to have good songs, good partners, and good attitude
about music, rather than it being about marketing.
Dubcnn: A lot of people out here on the West Coast won't even support
West Coast music, but it seems like the fanbase is huge in Japan. Why do you
think this is?
Let's support the West Coast! The fanbase in Japan is enthusiastic, so
people from the US think it's huge. Some CD stores in Japan are aggressively
selling West Coast music. And some DJs, like me, spin it. So the fanbase may
be growing in Japan. Regardless, I'll continue to spin West Coast music.
Dubcnn: Thanks for taking the time out to talk with us Couz. Where can
people go to find out more information about you?
You can go to my Myspace Page.
I've also got a Japanese Website
that you might enjoy.
Dubcnn: Is there any last words you have to say?
Thank you for reading my interview. Shout out to Damizza & Young De! And I
appreciate Big Boy & E-Man! I'm recording an album now, so I am
looking for good rappers & singers. If you have a demo, let me know.
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