Rasta Root
I met Rasta Root initially through my business partner dubelyoo so I can t get into too much of a hardcore background but I will tell you professional wise I think Rasta Root is the most reliable DJ I ever worked with and also the most polite...I think he could possibly do voice-over on sesame street or some children's program. Equipped with patience Roots' DJs, produces and run Smokin' Needle Records with Phife Dawg from the legendary A Tribe Called Quest, worked with Slick & Rose, put out several mix tapes as well as traveling around the world. Simply doing what he loves - making people dance and reading the crowd. The first time he DJ'd for me it was at the Cold Busted Art Exhibition but the most memorable was at AB+L in Charlotte, where during his set he touched on the "New Jack Era" - my favorite...most ppl who know me, knows im not a dancer..."But damn if i do"...i was dancing that night.

Along with making dope beats and DJing traveling around the world Rasta Root continuously holds down "Face Off" every 3rd Friday at MJQ in Atlanta for the past 3 years and he also has a show on Sirus XM radio on hip hop nation thursday nights 11pm est. Also check him out on www.classicexample.podomatic.com and myspace.com/djrastaroot

We caught up with Rasta Root and asked him a couple of questions:

Where are you from and how does that play into your work?

I was born in a little town in northern British Columbia, Canada called Fort St. John but i grew up in about 8 different countries (Canada, Guatemala, Brazil, England, Spain, Holland, & Abu Dhabi). It really helped me have a natural global perspective with my music and my cultural outlook is very diverse.

How are you different today as an DJ/artist than you were 5 years ago?

Well around five years ago, i started dabbling with Scratch Live so i would say that my sets have broadened because I can now travel to different gigs with a widr scope of music..whereas before i woul dhave to carefully pic what I was going to take with me.

What qualities of your favorite artist that you admire the most?

I would have to say work ethic and consistency.

What attributes help separate you from other artists?

I think my work ethic and consistency are my strengths. Also patience plays a huge roll in any success I have....

What is the first thing your remember producing?

An intro for a mix cd I did with a rack mount 4 second sampler and dr 505 drum machine....i didnt keep that machine long.....This was in 95 in Japan when I started producing.

What event or events helped shape your style?

I think moving to japan for three years real defined who I was as a dj...Playing music for a very mixed group and also a crowd that didnt speak english was very difficult....So it made me really learn to study crowds and learn to break records.....

What challenges you?

I think as far as djing i am challenged by feeling like I always have to beat mix songs....I am probably over hard on myself..but I believe that djs are supposed to be able to beat mix and be creative with your transitions....if you are not doing that...ur not really djing.

What would be the ultimate accomplishment of your career?

I think the ulitmate accomplishment would be to retire one day and look back at my career and have no regrets. I would love that.

What hobbies do you have that people wouldn't guess you are into?

I like learning languages.... I am fluent in portuguese and spanish, and speak conversational japanese...I recently started learning italian. If you can remember and if you collected them...Who is your favorite
Garbage Pail Kid..?

Have you experienced giving someone the vapors at a later time?

Umm thats not really in my personality....I kinda just do my thing and let my record and accomplishments speak for themselves...

Where is art/music going next?

Its really up in the air....it depends on where the mass of djs want it togo...it can either be preserved or laid to rest...its up to each of us to add on to the equation.