Every great civilisation has its lore and legend and if history has anything to say about it, Japan is no different. Legend has it that the archipelago was created by a cold steel blade (seriously). So it’s no surprise that swords became a trademark of nobility – or at the very least badassery – in Japanese culture.
These elite sword-carrying feudal lords eventually became the highest ranking social class; so steeped in spirituality, discipline and the aforementioned badassery that they remained so for 700 years. Nevertheless, time passed and things changed. Warring states have been replaced by mainstream media and feudal lords by auto-tuned pop stars. We need a new type of samurai these days. Plus, being able to lop heads off at will isn’t a skill most folks need anyway.
Enter DJ Samurai.
The enemy of anything conventional, ordinary or remotely mainstream, this young Japanese-born and Vietnamese-bred musical Jedi packs an arsenal not of two katanas but a laundry list of artistic talents. A self-proclaimed DJ/rapper/poet/novelista/dramatist, DJ Samurai is an enigma at best. To get a better idea of the man behind the beats, I set out to find him.
Musically, DJS is a mash-up of influences. Sifting through his list of recent compilations, you can hear traces of the modal styles of Nujabes; the roughneck in-your-face attitude of smiff-n-wessun; dashes of drum ‘n’ bass and even the chant-down-Babylon undertones of Marley and Tosh. Run his lyrics through a translator and you will notice the presence of haiku-like floweriness lumped together with statements about modern day socialism and global togetherness. Watch his videos and you’ll see a fun-loving guy who enjoys the company of b-boys and pretty Vietnamese women. Type his name into YouTube and you’re liable to see a Wu-Tang style of delivery from a short Asian fellow in a full-sized Pikachu suit… in Vietnamese (I cannot make this stuff up).
Nevertheless, Samurai is more than just a talker: he uses his music as a vehicle for youngsters in Saigon, namely the young up-and-coming hip-hoppers who don’t quite fit in with the social mould of the post-war Vietnamese economy, and this social consciousness is both reflected in his music and reinforced by a deep connection to the country itself.
Will this new brand of Japanese headband-wearing Samurai DJism be accepted or understood? Your guess is as good as mine. This is not your meiji era swordsmanship, but this cat definitely has something to say. Just don’t expect to immediately understand what it is on the first try. Bring on the Pikachu suit.
WHO: DJ Samurai
WHAT: DJ/rapper/poet/novelista/dramatist
WHERE: Meta House, #37 Sothearos Blvd.
WHEN: 9pm July 13
WHY: Japanese badassery at its best