What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Orene Askew (Tumaliya, DJ O Show)

Who are you

I’m an energized Afro-Indigenous DJ from the Squamish Nation who is venturing into the hip-hop Scene. I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. in our beautiful Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory.

First concert

In 1993 my cousin took me to my first concert—SWV (Sisters with Voices) at the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver. I was only 10 years old and I can remember how good the music was and the joy I felt being around so many Black people. I remember folks letting me go up to the front because I couldn’t see. One of the singers from the group, Coko with the long neon nails, said “Hi” to me, and I’m pretty sure that’s when I started wanting to be a performer.

Life-changing concert

My first time seeing Janet Jackson perform live at Rogers Arena. My good friend and I randomly got front-row tickets and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Janet and her dancers. The costumes, the choreography, the music, and the set design blew me away. I could tell how much hard work, persistence, and dedication went into making it a show that I would never forget. I think Janet wants everyone to have a good time at her shows, so that’s why she puts so much hard work into it. I am a huge fan and she has taught me so much about hard work. It’s a dream of mine to work with her some day :)

Top three records

The Notorious B.I.G. Life After Death  I would always take the double-CD album from my brother to listen to, because when you’re 14 you’re on a budget. My fav tracks are “Notorious Thugs” and “Sky’s The Limit”. This music is timeless, and even 25 years later the lyrics still flow and make sense.

Usher My Way This is one of those solid R&B albums that you can just let play and every single song is good. There aren’t many albums nowadays you can do that with.

Kendrick Lamar Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers It was worth the five-year wait for this album. I feel like he is growing and healing just like the rest of us. My favourite track is “Auntie Diaries” about his trans family members. I could relate to a lot of the lyrics because my aunt was trans too. It’s incredible when an artist can capture something relatable and tell you a story about it in art form.

All-time favourite video

Tupac Shakur “To live & Die in L.A.” To be honest, I’m not that much of a Tupac fan, but I love this video. The simplicity of him driving around his community showing everyone where he’s from and the ’90s feel of the video are what do it for me. He just kept it real, told people where he was from lyrically, and showed you physically.

What’s in your fridge

Bacon and eggs. I recently had a film crew at my house and one of the crew members brought me bacon and eggs because he remembered how I said how much I liked them. Like seriously, a lot of eggs that I try to eat every other day. I have an obsession with breakfast foods, especially when it comes to making scrambled eggs and omelettes. I would eat breakfast for every meal of the day if I could.

Whipped Cream. Expired whipped cream that I should have used to make my chicken and broccoli pasta.

Bud Light. Some lonely Bud Lights that I rarely drink.

Listen to DJ O Show's new single, "Status & Clarity", here.