DJ Yoda - Prom Nite (Album) + 10 Questions
Photo Credit: Flore Diamant
DJ Yoda’s bundle of recently released singles ‘My Energy', ‘Breathe’ and ‘Feel Like Home’ have given a wondrous insight into his new album Prom Nite, out today via Lewis Recordings. The release is a visionary unification of hip-hop and scratching with the timelessness of ‘50s American pop culture, the album features collaborations from Lily James, Eva Lazarus, House Gospel Choir, Beardyman and more.
DJ Yoda invites you to be his +1 for Prom Nite, an album that promises retro Americana full of daydreaming reverie, international megastar guests, trip hop acknowledging the likes of Morcheeba and Nightmares on Wax, and the turntable extraordinaire’s bread and butter of cuts, beats and rhymes.
Certainly no stranger to retro sounds having famously peppered his DJ and AV sets with the unexpected the world over, and his ‘How to Cut n Paste’ mix series going all the way back to the 30s, Yoda’s harp-laden puppy love vibe spreads from the sweet and mellow sound of 2019’s ‘Home Cooking’, an album described as ‘boundary-breaking’ by Mojo upon slotting nicely into the UK’s blooming jazz canon. Think deliciously harmonised doo-wop murmuring ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ with an eye for dreamboats en route to Makeout Point – on ‘My Energy’, Eva Lazarus takes the form of an earth angel, with Yoda on jukebox cut-ups, taking it back to starry-eyed, clean cut days of wonder (or more recently, Little Mix’s ‘Love Me Like You’).
Beginning enigmatically with the assistance of Hollywood A-lister (and former next-door neighbour) Lily James, ‘Breathe’ demonstrate Yoda’s continued evolution as a musician (not to mention shrewd decision maker), with James’ vocal confidence - a little Lana del Rey to her breathiness - returning on the velvet-smooth ‘Airplane Mode’. It’s a smartly executed soundclash accentuated by LA rapper Choosey, the star of the album’s straightest hip-hop shooter ‘Harder I Rock’. Homeboy Sandman adds some kick to the prom punch with typical wordplay sent down ‘Coconut Grove’, and Liam Bailey is perfectly cast for the darkly cinematic sway of ‘Don’t Even Try It’. On uplifting form is Beardyman on ‘Don’t Mean Thing’, a summer festival season homecoming anthem in the waiting.
With tongues wagging, the twists and turns step away from Heartbreak Ridge when O Love tucks into the mouthwatering shopping list funk of ‘Way Home’; and ‘Lesson 1956’, featuring Jamie Cullum and DJ Woody, jauntily pays homage to classic Cut Chemist alchemy, Yoda’s celebrated turntable tomfoolery back in full effect and extending the flavours found in ‘Home Cooking’.
Magpie artwork supplied by London’s ENDLESS, whose signature style has tagged Liberty and Lagerfeld as but two high profile clients, Yoda again maximises the experience and enjoyment gained from recording live instruments and prioritising songs over beats. His continued progress mixes risk-taking, elite musicianship, nostalgia brought bang up to date, and ultimately, good clean fun capable of stirring your soul, making ‘Prom Nite’ a date to remember.
DJ Yoda sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I'm 45 and I've been DJ’ing since I was 15 or 16 years old, so there's a long history there! My parents both worked in music, and my dad kept his record collection in my bedroom - I was literally surrounded by records. As soon as I was old enough to seek out my own music, it was sampling and scratching in 80s hip-hop that caught my ear. From there, I taught myself to DJ and produce.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I made a list like this for my first artist album in 2006, and I was lucky enough to get to work with some of my biggest influences on that project. Like Biz Markie, who was always my favourite rapper when I was growing up, and who sadly passed away recently.
Since then, it's been more of a case of fitting vocalists to the style of the project that I'm currently working on. For my previous album "Home Cooking", it was very jazz influenced, so I again I was lucky to get to work with the very cream of British jazz talent, like Nubya Garcia, Theon Cross and Henry Wu.
3. Tell us a bit about your new album Prom Nite? How did you get the collaborators involved?
For this project I had a very specific focus - I wanted to try and fuse the hip-hop and sampling side of what I do with 1950s Americana, doo-wop and soul. I made beats like I always do, but tried to find vocalists and collaborators who could fit into that style.
It was really exciting to get to record Lily James, who hasn't really done anything like this before. She was a neighbour and a friend, and we always talked about how cool it would be to work together. This was the first relevant thing that came up.
But I also managed to get Beardyman to sing rather than beatbox, recorded the whole House Gospel Choir, got Jamie Cullum on piano, and a bunch of others too.
4. How would you describe your sound?
It varies from project to project, but hip-hop DJ’ing and sampling always stays at the heart of what I do. As I said above, this particular album is very 1950s-inspired.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
There have been many moments that have been special. Even that first song I made with Biz Markie. But any time someone I respect shows appreciation for my music, I feel proud. Yesterday a hugely inspirational NYC hip-hop DJ called Stretch Armstrong said he was into this new stuff, and that was important to me.
Photo Credit: Flore Diamant
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Stay true to what you enjoy making, rather than trying to jump on trends or making music that you imagine other people will want to hear. It should give you authenticity and longevity to do that.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Eva Lazarus. Joel Culpepper. Homeboy Sandman. Choosey.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I'm listening to all the above artists, but here's a few albums: "What They Hittin 4" Jay Worthy; "The Yodfather" Your Old Droog; "Cheat Codes' Dangermous & Black Thought; "The Elephant Man's Bones" Roc Marciano & Alchemist.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Cook and eat delicious food. Dog walks. Watch loads of movies.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Caffeine and snacks. The internet and my record collection. Some inspiring American breakfast cereal boxes surrounding me.