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dj rasta root

'The Secret To Success Is Access' - Dj Rasta Root

About Me


Smokin Needles brings you *FACE OFF FRIDAY* - every 2nd Friday of the month - at MJQ!

DJ's Solomon, Fudge and Rasta Root!

HOSTED BY (Ya never know who just might show up!)


Rasta Root Bio
Dj Rasta Root is what they called him. And for 18 years he has been spreading his interpretation of Hip Hop through out the world. Originally from Canada, Roots has traveled from the US to Europe to Japan spinnin' nothing but the hottest joints, taking elements of turntablism as well as club mixing, to bring what he calls a "styleless style". For the past 14 years, one of the founding member of Smokin' Needles Records, Dj Rasta Root has become an integral part of hiphop worldwide. He has spun Japan, Europe, Phillipines, Canada, US, and most of the Caribbean. He brings the party to any club, radio show, or live stage. He's bringing seamless mixes with a great selection coupled with a sense of the crowd he is playing for.
He currently controls the turntables and produces for the likes of A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg. Together with Phife, they run Smokin' Needles Records. Rasta Root produced the first single from Smokin' Needles in 2003 called 'U Know U Want It', which also features label affiliates Jax, Hawkeye, and Slick & Rose. Recently released in Japan, Slick & Rose's debut Japan-only release, 'Objects in the Mirror' boasts 4 superb beats by Rasta Root. Roots plans to blaze tracks for Jax, Hawkeye, Dwele, Consequence, and many many more. Of course he will be in contention for beat placement on the highly anticipated reunion album by A Tribe Called Quest.
Rasta Root has put out solid mix tapes consistently that get great reviews in many publications. Rasta Root, Phife, and Jax recently departed to Japan for the Smokin' Needles 2003 Winter Tour. They entertained US military bases and local Japanese hip hop fans. There are serious plans to tour Japan again, Europe, and Australia in 2004. Catch Roots on stage with Phife or in the dj booth at any club or stage worldwide.
History
Roots' toured constantly for three years in Japan. From hole in the walls to the legendary Kings' & Queens, he ripped it night after night. Bringing his experience to the Japanese and military masses. He opened shows in Japan for the likes of Redman, Nas, Busta Rhymez, and the Wu-tang Clan. Roots' claims that djing in Japan allowed him to hone his skills in reading the crowd. Having to dj for people who don't speak English and at the same time cater to the Americans in the crowd, forced Roots to be precise and skilled with his mixes. Along with longtime brazilian dj Marc-T, Rasta roto started what we now know as Smokin' Needles Records. Taking all he learned, Roots decided to move back to the States and plant his "roots" in Atlanta, GA. He quickly made his name through the local club circuit, opening for artists such as KRS-One, Noriega, A Tribe Called Quest and Rakim. Roots found a home for himself on 88.5FM WRAS on "The Bomb", at Georgia State U. Boasting 100,000 watts and having the biggest college signal in the US, this station was exactly what Roots needed. This was his chance for the whole city of Atlanta and the surrounding areas to hear his mixes and blends. It was at 88.5 that Roots met Jay Force.
Impressed with Roots' skills, Jay Force heavily recruited him to be a dj on his newly formed show, "Beatz & Lyrics", on 89.3FM. Together they would rule the airwaves and redefine mix shows nationwide (While racking up many awards). Along with the radio show, "Beatz & Lyrics" video show has been on the air since 2001. They have taken viewer from Japan to the Phillipines. Due to Roots' visibility in the Atlanta scene, it was only a matter of time before doors would open. That door would be Roots hooking up with Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest. Apart from being Phife's dj, he also is handling production duty on his next album, "Songs in da Key of Phife". They recently came off a 25 City tour with Slum Village and Mystic. Be sure that whenever you see Phife on stage, you are sure to see Roots backing him up.
In October 2004, Roots was selected to attend the Redbull Music Academy in Rome, Italy. This academy, selected 60 of the world’s most promising producers and djs to spend two weeks in Rome with the world’s best sound engineers, producers, djs etc for a music seminar equal to no other in existence. Of the 2000 applicants, Roots was one of the 60 people chosen to attend. He currently does worldwide dj events for Redbull. Every year, he continues to be a guest speaker at the Redbull Music Academy info sessions all across the nation and in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In 2004, Rasta Root took over the management of Phife. Together they appeared on Midway Games' 'NBA Ballers' on a track called NBA Ballout. They are did the play off theme for the Dallas Maverick’s on a track called ‘All Out’. Phife has allowed Roots to help his career in sports and music. A Tribe Called Quest is scheduled to appear at Street Scene in San Diego on August 27th. 2004. This marked the first ATCQ show in over 6 years. Rasta Root went from loyal fan, to friend, to manager. The group later went on to tour with salem in 2004, and 2k Sports in 2006.
Under Smokin' Needles, Phife and Roots form a unique dj/mc team, with Phife handling mic duties and Roots holding down the sounds. They rock parties from NY to Tokyo utilizing their Caribbean roots to spice up any hip hop or dancehall event. Roots was the resident dj at Atlanta's MJQ 'No Static At All', with appearances by Quest Love, Bobbito, Rich Medina, and many other notables. This led him to his own night called face/Off Fridays.
In 2006, Roots set it off at his monthly residency at MJQ with his own night called Face-Off Fridays. This event teams him up with some of Atlanta’s greatest dj to provide unforgettable nights at the ‘Q’. It has been deemed the best monthly in Atlanta for 2007.
In 2007, Roots teams up with Xm Satellite Radio to bring you ‘Classic Example’, a one hour mix show Friday nights from 10-11pm. The show showcases classic music from the golden era of rap. His shows are also podcast on www.riddimkidz.podomatic.com
Roots management roster now includes Phife and co-manager of A Tribe Called Quest. Slowly but surely, Roots is building his roster to launch Riddim Kidz Management Company. In 2007, Roots was appointing the title of Road Manager for none other than Soul crooner Dwele. They embark on a mini tour of Japan, hittin' all the Blue Note venues. Tours of Australia, New Zealand and Europe, will soon come.
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This profile was edited with Thomas' Myspace Editor V3.2b
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/12/2005
Band Website: smokinneedles.com
Band Members:

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Influences: All the human greats!
Sounds Like:
Classic Example:

Buy it Here!

The Best of A Tribe Called Quest:

Buy it Here!

Sounds in the 90s:

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All releases are for sale at
Tasteful: Licks: (records):

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Record Label: Smokin' Needles Records
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Classic Example: April 13 w/ Rasta Root **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example April 23 Show - Hosted by Rasta Roothttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:38:00 PST

Classic Example: April 23 w/ Rasta Root **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example April 13 Show - Hosted by Rasta Roothttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:58:00 PST

Classic Example: March 31 w/ Rasta Root **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example: March 31 Show - Hosted by Jynxxhttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:17:00 PST

Face/Off weathers the Tornado in ATL March 14th!!

So, first of all, thank you for everyone checking in to make sure we are alright. This past friday was pretty crazy in the city of atl. Tornados lifting cars, stop signs flying across the city, hote...
Posted by dj rasta root on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:55:00 PST

Classic Example March 3 with Rasta Root **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example March 3 Show - Hosted by Dj Rasta Roothttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:02:00 PST

Classic Example Feb. 26 with Chip-fu **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example Feb 26 Show - Dj Rasta Root/Jynxx with Interview of Chip-fuhttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:38:00 PST

Classic Example Feb. 19:The Podcast Launches Today! **Download Now**

Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example Feb 19 Show - Dj Rasta Root/Jynxxhttp://classicexample.podOmatic.comDirect Link To Listen...
Posted by dj rasta root on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:16:00 PST

Only From The Mind of the Phifer Feb ’08

"Only from the mind of the Phifer" The "Black Brent Musberger" is back , sorry its been so long, but I'm here to talk about the Shaq trade as well as March Madness and which freshman ballers to look f...
Posted by dj rasta root on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:52:00 PST

Classic Example:The Podcast Launches Today! **Download Now**

The spin-ff of Dj Rasta Root's Xm 65 'The Rhyme' Show finally hits the net!! Hosted by Jynxx!!!Title: Classic ExampleEpisode: Classic Example Show One - Dj Rasta Root/Jynxxhttp://classicexample.podOma...
Posted by dj rasta root on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:40:00 PST

Smokin Needles & Riddim Kidz Salutes Jah Prince on his Nomination for Reggae Dj Of The Year

VOTE FOR JAH PRINCE2007 BEST REGGAE MIXTAPE DJ NOMINEEVote for Jah Prince for the 11th Annual Justo's (R.I.P. SALUTE) Mixtape Awards.Its Category 25 on the poll, be sure to vote!Bless-Up, '20-zero-hat...
Posted by dj rasta root on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:55:00 PST