Pioneer, producer and musical activist DJ V-Nutz is often lauded as the godfather of China’s exploding hip hop scene. When he first brought hip hop to Shanghai venues in 1999, he built the genre’s popularity through wildly popular club shows. Now, V-Nutz continues in the tradition of hip hop’s early founders by building the scene with the establishment of a one-of-a-kind music community space The Lab. V-Nutz is also fostering the art of turntablism by organizing the China DMC Championships and bringing the world’s most skilled DJs and famed MCs to Chinese venues. All this, while spinning twice weekly at the city’s hottest hip hop and funk/soul nights for over 3 years.Music Sensibility
Hip hop first claimed V-Nutz (aka Gary Wang) when the Shanghai teenager got his hands on a Run DMC bootleg tape in a local market in 1988. Not having heard anything like it before, he immediately felt a bond with the beats that has never left him. He had his first opportunity to learn about DJing and digging for records during his time as a university student in Tokyo. His musical palate has grown over the years to encompass old school hip hop, underground hip hop, funk and soul. He continues to have an ear for great music in each of these genres with a focus on the beats. Although he is fluent in English (and Japanese), lyrical concerns take a back seat to music production and MC flow.DMC
Already a leader in his hometown and country, in 2002 it was time for V-Nutz to take his passion and skills to the highest international forum. That year, he was the first winner of the DMC China Championship and performed in London against the world’s elite DJs. Recognizing the importance of the competition as a platform for China’s up and coming turntablists, V-Nutz has ensured that the competition continues. He organizes the DMC competition in China every year, bringing the winner to the world stage in London. This contest has been an important means for local DJs to show off their hard earned skills and to rub shoulders with the best of the best.The Lab
The Lab is the newest and most exciting project to date and has instantly become the hub of the Chinese hip hop community. With his partner DJ Fortune, V-Nutz has created a non-profit independent music community space for local DJs, MCs, live musicians and graffiti artists. The Lab allows creators from different genres to have a space to network and collaborate. Neighbouring the Lab is the Dragon Dance Studio – bringing all four hip hop elements together under one roof.The Lab was founded out of a frustration with the local music scene in China. With state dominated media and rampant commercialism, there are few means for independent artists to express themselves. For most Chinese urban youth, Cantopop and American pop music (including hip pop and gangsta rap) are the limit of their music knowledge. Although subcultures are forming in China it is a relatively slow process without independent college radio, music journalism or other avenues to provide exposure to a variety of music.The Lab gives local kids a chance to participate and create in a non-commercial environment their love of music. The space is open 5 days a week, with certain days set aside for DJ practice, MC and DJ practice, DJ and live band practice with a wall space set aside for graffiti artists. When possible, DJ master classes are organized for local DJs and musicians. Monthly BBQs and film nights help build the community atmosphere. The Lab welcomes all who would like to organize appropriate events to contact the founders and use the space for no or at low cost (for e.g., flea markets, DJ parties etc). For more information about the Lab check out www.lab.cn.Organic Soul
Organic Soul is a for-profit brand developed by V-Nutz for live events and t-shirts flowing from his distinct music and visual sensibility. Under the Organic Soul moniker, V-Nutz has brought over many of the world’s greatest turntablists to perform in China. He has also set out his unique graphic design aesthetic, not only developing a line of Organic Soul t-shirts, but also creating his own event flyers and logo.The concept behind Organic Soul is simple: no matter where one is from, a connection to the soul of music is organic, the potential exists in everyone. There is much discussion of what foreign music can mean in China, V-Nutz’s response is that music knows no borders and has the potential to be as relevant to Shanghai as NYC. With his hugely successful residency nights and international DJ events reaching Chinese (and broad expat audience) he has proven this time and again.Organic Soul promotions have brought the following performers to China: Roli Rho (2000), DJ Uppercut and DJ Sen (2000), DJ Kentaro (2002 and 2003), J-Smoke (2003), DJ Dopey (2005), Ugly Duckling (2004), Kid Koala
(2004 and 2005), Grandmaster Roc Raida (2005), DJ Revolution (2006), Shortkut (2005 and 2006) Herbaliser (co-organized 2006)
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