justeezy.

Well, here we are. My first attempt for “Clap for ‘em“. Comments, suggestions are all welcome!

Rohan Mani, aka DJ Sonny Grimezz, aka Uncle RoRo is good for many things… duplicating Ghostface Killah’s arm piece for one… his infamous cornbread (*cough* Lyds *cough* -only at The Common, people), and perhaps best of all working up a crowd via Music – DJing. Rohan has been a part of the Edmonton scene for the past 11 years. Resident DJ for local Hip Hop group Politic Live, The Common, and Black Dog on Saturdays, it’s easy to see why peeps dig him so much. I have always been super stoked whenever Ro has been on the turntables – he has the ability to rock a party and keep that chill factor when you just wanna vibe. His set is always unpredictable, keeping it fresh with old school, the latest hits, all in the realms of Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, RnB, and Reggae, respectively. Make sure you check out any of his nights, he is one of Edmonton’s jems fo sheezy.

justeezy: How did you get into Djing?
Sonny Grimezz: I knew lots about hip hop and listened to it all the time, and was into it since the 2nd grade pretty much. I was always drawn to the dj more than the rapper cause I was a shy kid and the dj never said anything. He was still part of the group, but just played the background. So I looked up to guys like Jazzy Jeff and Jam Master Jay, but i never actually thought about djing cause i didnt understand it.

justeezy: So what was your first step getting into the DJ scene in Edmonton?
Sonny Grimezz: One of my best friends was a DJ years before I got into it, and he once said to me “there has to be something you can do in music cause you’re really into it”. I thought about that and decided to see if I could get a radio show. So me and my friend Marlon (Arlo Maverick of Politic Live) started volunteering at cjsr. Soon after I found out that a friend of mine,dj tanner, had a hip hop show already, so he let me and marlon do the show with him. Tanner moved away for a bit leaving the show to us, and soon after that we started getting calls to do these teen parties. Nothing crazy, just playing cd’s, but these parties were my first experiences in dj infront of people. And I really liked it.
After that I started buying records, and eventually got a set of turntables. Tanner moved back to Edmonton and started a night at Black Dog on Tuesdays, and asked if I wanted to come and play. I did, and i just kept coming back week after week, and eventually got the hang of mixing and scratching properly. Slowly I started to get more and more gigs, and around that same time I started DJ for Politic Live too.

justeezy: What makes your personal steez unique to others, basically what is the “Sonny Grimezz sound”?
Sonny Grimezz: Straight up love and knowlege for the music. The ability to play something familiar or obscure but still get people going

justeezy: What made you fall in love with Hip Hop?
Sonny Grimezz: The beats pretty much. Im a sucker for good drums

justeezy: Why is Djing your passion, and how do you feel it serves others?
Sonny Grimezz: I love music and I love coming up with new sounds and I love seeing people appreciate and enjoy good music. Most times the music you listen to will dictate how you you feel.

justeezy: What are your 3 top favourite tracks you love to drop
Sonny Grimezz: Tough one! depends what im playing. Im gonna just say whats on the top of my head: “Made You Look” Nas, “Baby Be Mine” Micheal Jackson, Show Off Riddim

justeezy: Nice. What are your aspirations, your next step?
Sonny Grimezz: Just keep grinding, I want to DJ as long as I can and I want to play out of town more.

justeezy: What gives you that motivation to continue on with Djing?
Sonny Grimezz: My motivation is how much fun I have doing it. If its infront of 15 people or 1500 people Im gonna have fun regardless.

justeezy: Excellent attitude! Any advice for people who have aspirations to become a DJ?
Sonny Grimezz: Dont be shy, work hard, remain humble.

justeezy: What is your opinion on people calling themselves “DJs”, but don’t really live up to the name?
Sonny Grimezz: If you dont put any artistry in what you are doing then you are just playing music, you are not a DJ

justeezy: Word. Vinyl vs Digital? – positives and negatives of each?
Sonny Grimezz: Im all digital now, but I still collect vinyl. Digital allows you to be more creative and its super convienient. Technical problems can shut you right down though and its expensive. Asthetically nothing compares to vinyl, from the album art to the feel of the record and to the actual act of finding new records in stores. But the freedom of digital allows me to do so much more.

justeezy: And lastly… How is it to be spinning in Edmonton, where Hip Hop isn’t as prominant as other cities?
Sonny Grimezz: I like whats happening in Edmonton as far as growth goes. I think the scene is strong and its getting better with more big shows coming here, more local shows, more weekly events. The thing that needs to change is the level of professionalism. Its cool to do a show, but the organizers need to concentrate on details like sound, scheduling, pay outs etc. Attention to the details really makes a difference.
What me and my crew try to contibute is that level of professionalism. Ive done enough gigs to know what works and what doesnt. Also we want to put out quality material, too often artist try to push out stuff when it just isnt ready.
I just want to keep hustling, and get the word out that there is a lot of dope stuff going on in Edmonton. You just gotta find it.

Flyer design: stereobait

See you thurr TONIGHT. This (and the Hockey game tonight) is keeping me stoked alllllllll day. I literally hopped outta bed with a humungo smile on my fez (Extremely rare, as I am a night owl). According to my horoscope, apparently, “The time to howl has arrived.”

AAAoooOOOOOOOOooooo!

Side note: Know Dilla?

Talib expresses love in such a way that it… that it… you know.. makes my knees all knobbly and shiet *mumble mumble*

I want you, cuz you make my heart skip the beat that I drum to
I want to be the one you run to, when pain confronts you
You’re everything, sometimes I get nervous when I’m in front you
You can hear it in my voice when I ask you if you comfortable
Look how love do, I’d practice the Art of War for you like Sun Tzu
Come through and arouse you every morning like the sun do
If you blackout and collapse I want to help you to come to
Notice I haven’t yet gotten to what I want from you
I want you to come to when I come through and make you shine like the sun do
I want you to be the valley for my river to run through
You’re everything, send your soul through your lips to my heart
Sweet music will start I want you to be the muse for my art
When people try to rip us apart we got to work to stay together
Go through the seasons of love and never change with the weather
This is my wish list, what I want not what I need there’s a difference
These days I’m learning that words got power so I’ma be specific

Can I have a talk with you?
Can I make a dream come true?
Can I be in love with you?
Cuz I would if I could

Yeah sunflower
You must live in the infinite blackness that exists when I close my eyes
I see you when I fall asleep, I see you when I dream

“You must live in the infinite blackness that exists when I close my eyes”?!… “send your soul through your lips to my heart Sweet music will start”?!… “This is my wish list, what I want not what I need there’s a difference”!?….

O my ‘lanta.







I can’t believe I just saw this now! I am such a bad satc fan.
sexandthecitymovie.com

awwww Drizzy’s all grown with his own Sprite Commercial! hahaha

“I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone.. it’s not. The worst thing is ending up with people who make you feel all alone”

Watched this tonight. Funny punch lines, good message. Watch.

Oh, and good acting. Had to emphasize since I didn’t get that at all from Dear John earlier this evening. You know it’s a bad movie when you’re in the mood to watch another in the same evening. Should’ve listened to my gut when I saw the trailer for the first time haha. (ay ay ay, the girl in me just felt like watching a love story. Gotta admit I did shed a tear or two in a couple of the scenes… but that don’t mean it’s a good movie, it just means I got a whole lotta of feelings haha)

i miss you.

This Vegas Virgin has officially been broken in! What a weekend, I think I am still recovering from it all. The double stagette was a huge success. Why it was such a huge success is because we were all on the same wavelength. The ladies I rolled with, in nature, are mature and considerate.. we all were all looking to achieve 1 goal: to make the most of everything, and to make sure everybody had a great time! Thanks for a lovely weekend ladies, it was nice to let off some steam and just be in a new environment, with good company.. We were all cool with just going with the flow. Spontaneity is always a huge bonus in my books! Coming back, the petty shit I was dealing with, just merely a few days before seemed like eons ago, and that escape from reality really put a lot of things into perspective. Never thought a weekend full of hardcore partying would bring on any sort of epiphanies, but there you go! Some flicks out of the gazillion.. PG version of course.. what happens in Vegas, really does stay in Vegas, so sorry I can’t unleash any of the dirty happenins

Having some root beer floats at the Coke store

(more…)

I want? I need?

I need.

This Flashback Monday is dedicated to Nathan Matthews.)

02.13.10. Nb00000t! Do you remember this song? Makes me laugh just thinking about it! You have touched so many people’s lives just by being your authentic dope self. I’ll always remember our fun convos, and us being “positive lights for each other”. I could always talk to you about anything, and I really felt like we did haha. I connected to you the moment we talked about Tribe. I knew you loved them in the exact same way I do.. and because of that I knew you had a perception of life like no other. We didn’t really talk that much the last couple of years, but I really felt like I knew your soul, and knew you were there no matter what. I’ll never forget the rob0t board you designed that had “shu” in the model #.. even though you accidentally sent the wrong design to production, it still makes me smile cuz it’s the thought that counts (and laugh cuz that’s such a nathan thing to do haha)! We hung out the day I lost my job, your concerned eyes and happy smile made me feel better in a span of seconds. You were there for me when I went through my break up.. and your positive words made me feel like a million bucks. I remember you saying you missed everybody in Edmonton when you first moved to Vancouver.. it makes me happy that you continued to push past that uncomfortable time and made a happy life for yourself (and Nicole!).. Im not exactly sure the reason for being in each other’s lives, but Im so grateful that you were in mine. Your beautiful soul, eternal optimism and genuine happiness will continue to be that positive light for me, and for others. RIP Nb0t. xoxo

There are a lot of mashups I love, but there’s also a huge chunk out there that is just a waste of my time.. If I hear anything mixed in with Fergie ever again Ima bust a bruce. Don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciate it for what it is, it’s just when it’s at that point where the mainstream world follows suit it kind of loses it’s effect – it’s quality. It feels cheap and cheesey (and not the good kind.. maybe comparable to Blue Cheese *shudder*). I didn’t really care for the Jay-Z x Linkin Park business… I liked Danger Mouse’s Grey Album but didn’t think it was ground shattering. Not everybody is successful in achieving that unique sound when trying to blend 2 different genres. I’d say Tom Caruana (Tea Sea Records) accomplishes this notion in the works of this mixtape.. it’s not too in-your-face-im trying-ultra-hard.. I think it’s an interesting clash, but an effective one. Anyways, enough of my banter… why don’t you guys check it out for yourselves?

Download.

p.s. I am completely grateful that I can listen to whatever I want all day… <3

Out of nowhere 9th Wonder drops this mixtape via his twitter. So he pulls a Brittany. I ain’t mad.. always happy to hear from 9th. He’s good shit. The “- AGAIN” looks/sounds pretty daunting… just sayin’.

Check out the tracklisting and download link at Smoking Session

I know I know, Im posting Tribe again. But if you’re complainin, then get outta here! haha. Jk.

This is dedicated to my homie Nb0t. Talking about Tribe was just one of the ways of getting to know each other and relating to one another. I am thankful to know such a dope person full of compassion and passion! Check his website out, he is one talented mutha.

If you were at the last SOUNDCLASH series – the battle of the beats with Dre vs. Kanye – then I know you feel me: Believe the hype. ESPECIALLY since it’s with Dilla and Pete Rock.. no doubt 2 of the best producers in my books. Actually Dilla is my all time favorite, so catch me rootin for him no matter what haha. For those who are obviously living under a rock, “The battle of the beats {brought to you by Urban DNA Events & ampliFLY Sound} is where we take two artists, put them head to head, and let the crowd choose who is the winner. Its a round by round, set by set format where two DJ’s on 4 turntables throw down the best tunes from each artist….Everything from album cuts, collabo’s and remixes…..expect to hear the best of the best from these two production guru’s.”

Cheers to Classic Hip Hop ALL NIGHT LONG!!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th
(4th year anniversary of J Dilla’s passing. R.I.P.)
@NEW CITY LIKWID LOUNGE
FREE ADMISSION !!!
18+ event

p.s. poster done by yours truly =]