The Snowgoons just concluded their Goon Bap Canada tour and it was only right to get a quick one about their movement including the present and future endeavors.
Sit back and check out the quick chat we had with DJ Illegal below.
How is it going guys? How was the tour?
DJ Illegal: Yo whats up, we just finished the Goon Bap Canada Tour and we came across whole Canada from the East to the West Coast.
How did y’all get started in music, and what drives y’all to continue?
DJ Illegal: I started very young as a fan and became pretty fast active with Graffiti and also on the Turntables. Hip Hop was my first love and always will be. The love to the music has never left me and motivates me every day.
Do you remember the first beat you ever made? How did you go about it?
DJ Illegal: I heard a breakbeat on a tape and looped that part and wanted to put a sample of horns over it but it didn’t really work because the horns sample was too short and started killing my nerves. I just kept trying till i got better and still till today i learn always something new.
If a movie about your life in music was to be made, what interesting/strange moments and stories would you share to make the movie cool?
DJ Illegal: I would have to add a lot off my stories on the road when i was working as a tour manager and crossed Europe many times with artists like Masta Ace, Onyx, Edo G, Ill Bill and Reef The Lost Cauze just to name a few. Sometimes going from one country to another can be very exciting but also exhausting and confusing.
Are there any other interesting facts about any of you that hardly anyone else knows?
DJ Illegal: Maybe since the first album we using only two words for the Snowgoons album titles or at least 2 main words put together. I think never ever anybody noticed.
What is the greatest thing about working in the music industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity?
DJ Illegal: The best part is to reach people on the other side of the planet or basically worldwide with the digital outlets or physical distribution makes it possible that somebody in any place of the world can play your CD or Vinyl at home. I would like to change the greedy and shady people in the industry that only out for the money. I know thats never going to happen because thats just how people are.
Looking back, what have been the most important moments in your life so far?
DJ Illegal: When it comes to music I’m glad that i started to become a active member of the Hip Hop culture. Nothing wrong with being a Hip Hop consumer but since i started doing music it connected me with friends and people worldwide and gave my life a meaning and a special purpose. That’s why i would literally die for this Hip Hop shit.
What have been the biggest highlights?
DJ Illegal: Obviously doing albums with M.O.P. or Onyx but also every single release we doing is a Highlight at that time and always something special. We are just proud of our work.
Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?
DJ Illegal: I recently got into video filming and want to do also more editing and finish my own videos and maybe even short films or movies.
What has been your biggest challenge…and how did you overcome it?
DJ Illegal: The biggest challenge was to not give up and continue doing music. There was a time before the Snowgoons albums where i had to invest so much time, money and talent but i never gave up. I had a dream and I’m just passionate when it comes to Hip Hop. I stayed focused and believed in myself. If i want something i don’t give up fast.
Who have been the coolest, most memorable people you’ve met along the way, and how did they make an impact on your life?
DJ Illegal: Honestly there are too many because when it comes to music friends jam very rich but i can start with my Snowgoons brothers from Det to Sicknature and J.S. Kuster, the Snowgoons DJ’s crew and so on. Like i said I’m very rich.
When you’re sitting on the porch age 97 what would you like to look back on and smile having achieved?
DJ Illegal: Leaving our footprints in the game. I think that we got our own label Goon MuSick and that we are free to do what we want with the music.
What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
DJ Illegal: One of the craziest moments was when i was DJing for La Coka Nostra at the swiss festival and around 50.000 people start jumping to the House Of Pain song Jump Around that we played.
What are the greatest songs, albums, books, movies, TV shows, websites you’ve ever come across?
DJ Illegal: I’m a big fan of TV Shows and there are many great ones from the classic stuff The Wire, Sopranos, Twin Peaks or new shows like Fargo, Stranger Things or The Walking Dead. I’m def more into Drama, Mystic and Thriller and less into comedy.
Name 5 songs (yours excluded) that we would expect to find on your iPod or Music Player
DJ Illegal: Mobb Deep – Shook Ones, Nas – Illmatic (Album), Non Phixion – Black Helicopters, Big Pun – Twins and Onyx – Last Dayz
What special-hero type skills are y’all blessed with?
DJ Illegal: Being creative. I always come up with a solution and my brain is constantly in motion. I need to write down a lot of ideas and cant keep up with some of the thoughts and ideas.
Any final thoughts?
DJ Illegal: Lets be more active when it comes to Hip Hop and the Culture. Don’t take everything as it comes. Respect the architects.
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