DJ Shadow

DJ Shadow (Born Josh Davis, 29.6.1972)

DJ Shadow is a respected figure in the world of instrumental and experimental hip-hop and his notoriety stems largely from the release of his ground-breaking debut album, Endtroducing....



DJ Shadow: The Beginnings

DJ Shadow's music career began when he started to DJ for KDVS radio station. During this time, he worked with the influential California hip-hop label, Solesides and is credited with developing their signature style.

Solesides released DJ Shadow's earliest singles, including 'In Flux' and 'Lost and Found (S.F.L.)'. His influences included Prince Paul, Kurtis Mantonik and Steinski. Shadow tends towards using vocal samples, claiming that he finds the use of lyrics too restrictive and confining.

In 1991, DJ Shadow formed Quannum Projects, out of the remains of the Solesides label.

DJ Shadow has collaborated with a number of artists, such as Cut Chemist, Blackalicious, Dr. Octagon, Zack de la Rocha and Mos Def.



DJ Shadow: Major Projects

Endtroducing. is DJ Shadow's debut full-length album. It was released in 1996 and earned an entry in the Guinness World Records book for 'First Completely Sampled Album.' Shadow made the album using an AKAI MPC60, a pair of turntables and a copy of ProTools borrowed from his friend Dan The Automator.

In 1998, DJ Shadow released Preemptive Strike, which was a collection of his earliest singles. He also produced U.N.K.L.E.'s Psyence Fiction, a project that featured stars such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Mike D of Beastie Boys and Jason Newstead of Metallica.

DJ Shadow wrote the soundtrack for Dark Days, a documentary filmed by Mike Singer, a British director. The film follows a group of people who have reached a nadir in their life and are living in underground tunnels, in darkness.

2002 saw the release of DJ Shadow's second album proper. The Private Press was critically acclaimed, but did not meet the expectations that followed Endtroducing.

In 2004, DJ Shadow released the DVD In Tune and On Time, which featured footage of a live show in London.

The Outsider was released in 2006 and was initially released alongside a deluxe edition, with a DVD of tour visuals. The album contained a number of artists involved in the San Francisco bay hyphy hip-hop movement.

In 2005, as a tribute to DJ Shadow, Brain Udelhofen formulated the Shadow Percussion Project. The project aimed to recreate the sample-heavy tracks for a live band and DJ Shadow himself has given Udelhofen a thumbs-up for his efforts.

Written by Contactmusic.com