Think different

Baltimore’s DJ Karizma brings his
sought-after sound to Montreal

BEATS ACROSS THE BOARDS: DJ Karizma

by SCOTT C

DJ Karizma—aka Kohesive, Kris Klayton or Kaytronik—is a force to be reckoned with in house music right now, blazing a trail of uniquely soulful releases and a signature DJ style that’s made him an international sensation. The busy Baltimore native has an impressive resume as well, having worked with the Basement Boys, Blaze, Peven Everett, Black Vinyl, Ben Westbeech, and many more. The Mirror spoke to Karizma at his home in Baltimore, to which he’s just returned after a two-month tour.

Mirror: How do you set yourself apart form the hordes of DJs out there that I lovingly refer to as the attack of the clones?

Karizma: I just try to play stuff that wouldn’t normally be played, in a different way. A lot of DJs now try to play just one type of music, whether it’s techy or whatever, but I just try to play across the board, because I can’t play one type of music. I like playing it all. If it’s good music, then I’m playin’ it, and you’ll hear it in my set. I also use the Pioneer CDJs in a way that people aren’t used to hearing them being used.

M: Right. It’s like people only using 10% of their brain most of the time. Are you utilizing the full potential of the CDJs just about every time you play?

K: (laughs) Most definitely. It’s like anything else, in that it’s an instrument, so I figure there’s ways to use it like nobody else is using it. I just practiced with it for months, trying to get at what it could do, and here I am, I guess. I’m still learning, practicing and experimenting.

M: I want to give you respect due as a producer right now, man, because I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing you live, but I’m always impressed with the quality and variety of your productions.

K: Thanks man. One of the things I’ve always been on myself about is coming with something different. It’s got to be different, because I don’t want people to become bored with what I do.

M: Has the spike in love for Baltimore club allowed you to benefit as well, or are you making your own waves?

K: I’ve been making my own waves. Everybody’s into the Baltimore breaks stuff, and I was one of the creators of it, but that was, like, 10-12 years back. I just got bored with it and moved on, so it’s kind of a part of my sound, but it’s not definitive of my sound. I’m just glad Baltimore is getting some shine. I hope everything that Baltimore has to offer gets some shine.

M: Where’s the hot spot, man? I know you’re out there doing your thing in the world, so where’s the spot?

K: Japan! Also Australia, and I gotta say Canada. Those are my spots right now. No disrespect, but Toronto shows me mad love.

WITH PAT BOOGIE AND
CHRISTIAN PRONOVOST AT TIME
SUPPER CLUB (997 ST-JACQUES) ON
FRIDAY, AUG. 29, 8 P.M., $15.