Login / RegisterDJ lowdown - Needle Kineval
A revered figure in the city's underground rap community, Needle Kineval has been holding it down for true-school heads since he surfaced on campus airwaves in 1998. As the host of three weekly radio programs on Co-op Radio (102.7 FM) and SFU's CJSF (90.1 FM), and a promoter of two club nights and various one-off shows, the scene veteran spends just as much time designing handbills as he does digging for records. Currently in the midst of a European vacation, Kineval dropped his backpack long enough to let us in on his past, present, and future exploits.
CURRENT RESIDENCY
Monday Night Live at the Lamplighter
Get Up Get Down Fridays at Tokyo Lounge
MOST RECENT MIXTAPE
"It's called Get Up Get Down Promo Mix, Volume 1. Volume 2 is coming soon."
FIRST GIG
"In 1998, without the money to purchase good turntables, I realized that a weekly two-hour radio show at SFU's CJSF would be the best way for me to get uninterrupted playtime on the industry standard (Technics 1200s). So for all you starting DJs, that's the secret: join your local community-radio station and learn a thing or two about radio while you're at it."
CRAZIEST GIG
"Opening for the entire Quannum roster, including DJ Shadow and Blackalicious, at the Commodore in 2004. After their incredible two-hour set, I came back on to DJ, and Lyrics Born came out from backstage and started emceeing. The crowd was loving it."
DREAM GIG
"An entry-by-donation outdoor party with Mr. Scruff, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, J-Rocc, J-live, Common, and more alongside all the local MCs and DJs. Best of all, proceeds would go to charity."
RECORD THAT NEVER LEAVES YOUR BOX
"Manu Dibango, 'Soul Makossa'."
WHAT MAKES THE VANCOUVER SCENE SPECIAL?
"Vancouver is still young so we haven't pigeonholed ourselves musically yet. There's a lot of talent, and a lot of growth still to come. When it's our time in the spotlight, Van City will finally be a trendsetter rather than a trend-follower."
