Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, DJ Ono (Hitoshi Ono) has risen to become one of Bangkok’s most sought after hip-hop deejays since moving to the city in 2004.

The Japanese-Canadian selector has held residencies at most of Bangkok’s top night spots, including Bed Supperclub, Route 66, and Slim. Ono’s turntablist and party-rocking skills have also landed him gigs at leading dance clubs throughout Asia and North America.

Ono lists among his most treasured gigs: opening for 50 Cent and G-Unit (2006); opening for Jay-Z and Rihanna (2007); working as official after-party deejay for the MTV Music Awards Asia (2007); official after-party deejay for the Black Eyed Peas (2006-2007); and official after-party deejay for the Beyonce World Tour (2007).

Ono gave up a plum job at a Bangkok branch of one of Japan’s leading advertising agencies in order to pursue his love of hip-hop full-time. James Vernon talks with Ono about his deejaying background, the Bangkok hip-hop scene, the Bangkok Invaders, and what it’s like to be a full-time top deejay.

JV: Firstly, what have been the biggest influences on your music and deejay style?

DJ-O: When it comes to music, I have so many influences. I grew up listening to a mix of east coast and west coast hip-hop. Among my favorite artists are: Dr Dre; Gangstarr; Ice Cube; Jay-Z; Nas; Notorious B.I.G.; and Tupac.

I also look up to a lot of producers in the industry, such as DJ Premier, Dr Dre, Pharell Williams, Swiss Beatz, and Timberland.

As a deejay, I started out as a turntablist and then evolved into a party-rocker/club/radio deejay. I was first influenced by the Invisible Scratch Picklz, Q-bert, Shortcut, and Mixmaster Mike.

As a Canadian I looked up to DJ A-trak, who I still keep in touch with. I guess my style is a cross between turntablism and party-rockin’ - which gives me the unique style that I have now.

JV: Is there a specific ‘sound’ you aim for in your sets?

DJ-O: I aim for sounds that people love to hear - entertaining and interacting with people through my music keeps me going.  If I play a track and people dig it, I top it by playing something even better.  Be it a bangin’ beat or something the party people haven’t heard – then they usually go crazy!  But movin’ the crowd and taking them on a historic journey through hip-hop music is my ultimate aim.

JV: You’re skilled at using the cross-fader. How did you develop your mastery?

DJ-O: One word: PRACTICE! I developed this through years and years of practice in my basement back in my crib in Vancouver. It’s something that people can’t really teach you. You can grasp the basics of the fader and the movement of your scratching hand but the rest is up to you! I experimented for years with different scratches as I incorporated them into my sets and perfected certain scratches.

JV: Any advice for novice hip-hop DJs?

DJ-O: Don’t give up! Deejaying can definitely be frustrating at the beginning, although if you keep at it you’ll progress and improve your skills.

With the technology out there now, such as Serato Scratch Live (an mp3 deejaying program), it’s a lot easier to learn and become a deejay compared with 10 years ago. Mixing on Serato is so damn easy and people can learn the program in days. The days of collecting vinyl and holding on to those exclusive ones have become so yesterday! Let’s blame it on technology (laughs)!

JV: Can you tell us about making the Sony Walkman commercial?
 
DJ-O: It was pretty fun actually. I’ve never done anything like that - I guess I’m pretty satisfied with the final result. 

The whole commercial was filmed in Bangkok at various locations. I got the opportunity through a member of Thaitanium, who has close relations with MTV (much love to DAY for hooking it up!). It was aired across Asia on MTV for about a year.

DJ Ono's Sony Walkman TV commercial (as seen on MTV Asia).
click here to see >





Samples from the Bangkok Invaders' latest mix-tape, Hitz Radio:


Track 1 - Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston (Djay Buddah Baltimore Remix)


Track 2 - Stand By Me (DJ Riz Baltimore Remix)


Track 3 - Ayo Technology - 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake (Bangkok Invaders Remix)


Track 4 - Crank That - Soulja Boy (DJ Riz Baltimore Remix)


Track 5 - Party Like A Rockstar - Pet Shop Boyz

JV: What’s life like for a full-time deejay?

DJ-O: The life of a full-time deejay is tough! We have to constantly keep up with new music and try to educate people with the older tracks. History’s important and people need to learn.

A typical day usually consists of putting together a playlist for clubs. If I’m not in the studio, then I’m usually putting together new mix-tapes or remixes.

Right now Bangkok Invaders (a collaboration project with Djay Buddah) is working on an urban 'mix' show for GET 102.5 here in Bangkok. Radio will definitely help push hip-hop and further educate people here.

JV: Do you think you’ll ever go back to working in an office job?

DJ-O: I think so, someday, but it will be linked to music for sure.

JV: How would you compare Bangkok crowds and the Bangkok scene with those in other cities you lived in/played in?

DJ-O: Bangkok has a great nightlife scene but is one of the worst educated when it comes to music, particularly hip-hop music.

Right now we’re trying to bring in more international artists to Thailand. I think it’s a great way to inspire and show people a great show. An urban 'mix' show on the radio, with live scratches and all, is our next step. And we have a new mix-tape.