A Few Words with DJ Chris Karns
By Kyle Eustice
Denver native Chris Karns won the coveted DMC World DJ Championship title in 2011 and has never looked back. After all, it had been a long time coming. Karns, formerly known as DJ Vajra, has worked tirelessly at becoming the best turntablist in the world for years. He had already won the 2002 WSTC World Championships, six DMC Regional Championships and three Redbull Thre3style Championships, making him one of the most high profile DJs in his region. It was only a matter of time before world domination was possible. After a stint DJ'ing for Yelawolf, opening slots at Rock the Bells and an appearance on VH-1's Master of the Mix, Karns is back in the studio. He had a few minutes in between work to talk Red Rocks, preparing for the DMCs and his top three favorite classic hip-hop songs. Check out https://www.facebook.com/chriskarnsmusic for more information.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): First and foremost, where did you grow up and how did you gravitate towards hip-hop/turntablism?
Chris Karns: I grew up in Ft Wayne, Indiana. When Yo! MTV Raps came on the air in 1987, I was instantly hooked on hip-hop. Seeing DJs cut it up on the videos really got me curious.
I remember seeing you on stage at Red Rocks for Rock the Bells I believe several years ago. How did it feel to share the stage with so many veteran emcees and contributors to the culture?
Playing at Red Rocks is an amazing experience! One of the best concert venues on the planet, no question. Got to perform two nights there last year with Pretty Lights, his full band, and a 13 piece string section from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra last year too. Always an amazing time.
What goes in to preparing for a DMC event?
As a competitor? You pretty much have to live it day in and day out if you want to have any chance of being the World Champion.
Are you at all surprised when you win events like that?
I was when I first started winning, but after years of experience, I wouldn't enter any battle unless I expected to win.
Name three of your favorite classic hip-hop songs and explain why you chose them.
Public Enemy - "Welcome to the Terrordome," Nas - "The World is Yours" and Black Moon - "Who Got The Props." Those were some of the songs that really formed my musical taste at an early age.
Tell me about being on VH-1's Master of the Mix. In my opinion, so many of the contestants couldn't hold a candle to you. You got noticeably upset in one episode if I recall. What was going on?
It's too long of a story, but it was a pretty shitty experience all around. The people running that operation were complete buffoons.
Did you ever think you could live off of music growing up?
I never really thought about it, which is strange because that's how my dad supported our family.
What's on the docket for 2015?
I'm working on a lot of original production, so hopefully you will be hearing a lot of that from me this year.
A Few Words with DJ Chris Karns
A Few Words with DJ Chris Karns
By Kyle Eustice
Denver native Chris Karns won the coveted DMC World DJ Championship title in 2011 and has never looked back. After all, it had been a long time coming. Karns, formerly known as DJ Vajra, has worked tirelessly at becoming the best turntablist in the world for years. He had already won the 2002 WSTC World Championships, six DMC Regional Championships and three Redbull Thre3style Championships, making him one of the most high profile DJs in his region. It was only a matter of time before world domination was possible. After a stint DJ'ing for Yelawolf, opening slots at Rock the Bells and an appearance on VH-1's Master of the Mix, Karns is back in the studio. He had a few minutes in between work to talk Red Rocks, preparing for the DMCs and his top three favorite classic hip-hop songs. Check out https://www.facebook.com/chriskarnsmusic for more information.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): First and foremost, where did you grow up and how did you gravitate towards hip-hop/turntablism?
Chris Karns: I grew up in Ft Wayne, Indiana. When Yo! MTV Raps came on the air in 1987, I was instantly hooked on hip-hop. Seeing DJs cut it up on the videos really got me curious.
I remember seeing you on stage at Red Rocks for Rock the Bells I believe several years ago. How did it feel to share the stage with so many veteran emcees and contributors to the culture?
Playing at Red Rocks is an amazing experience! One of the best concert venues on the planet, no question. Got to perform two nights there last year with Pretty Lights, his full band, and a 13 piece string section from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra last year too. Always an amazing time.
What goes in to preparing for a DMC event?
As a competitor? You pretty much have to live it day in and day out if you want to have any chance of being the World Champion.
Are you at all surprised when you win events like that?
I was when I first started winning, but after years of experience, I wouldn't enter any battle unless I expected to win.
Name three of your favorite classic hip-hop songs and explain why you chose them.
Public Enemy - "Welcome to the Terrordome," Nas - "The World is Yours" and Black Moon - "Who Got The Props." Those were some of the songs that really formed my musical taste at an early age.
Tell me about being on VH-1's Master of the Mix. In my opinion, so many of the contestants couldn't hold a candle to you. You got noticeably upset in one episode if I recall. What was going on?
It's too long of a story, but it was a pretty shitty experience all around. The people running that operation were complete buffoons.
Did you ever think you could live off of music growing up?
I never really thought about it, which is strange because that's how my dad supported our family.
What's on the docket for 2015?
I'm working on a lot of original production, so hopefully you will be hearing a lot of that from me this year.
