I got to the world of DJs late. But, like most things I get heavily into, if you were around when it happened I wouldn't shut the fuck up about it. And if you've been around here for a little while, you'll know that two of the guys I went on about were two masters from the UK, the legend Krafty Kuts and the young veteran, the mighty Jimi Needles. Krafty has the distinction of being the subject of one of the most insane pieces I've ever written for this site. And Jimi Needles has the distinction of being the most featured guest in the history of this site. (I was also instrumental in bringing him across the Atlantic to play in Canada for the very first time at the 2017 installment of the world-famous Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival.) Earlier this year, these two got together for the release of their intergalactically awesome “50 Years Hip Hop Mix (Vol.1)”. It’s a mind-bogglingly dense collection of remixed and reworked hip-hop delights from two cats who, between them, have a deep well of knowledge of the genre. “I don't think we could have created this mix solo. Neither of us profess to be ''hip-hop's biggest fan'' but of course there are pockets of tunes that have eluded at least one of us, and I think that's an era thing,” says Mr. Needles. The generational DJ divide is something that resonates with Krafty as well. “Yeah I agree, there were two tunes in particular. Common - “The People'' for instance, it was on my radar but I didn't realize how much of a loved track it was, especially for Jimi.” Needles chimes in, “I think you might have missed it because when it dropped I was at Uni and you were probably on a huge tour somewhere! But yeah, the other tune was the Wildstyle theme, and you'd only know that if you were alive when it dropped; as a child of 1988, the hip-hop I was into was pretty much from about 1995 onwards - but you appreciate the music by digging backwards, and staying current.” The fruits of their labour have become a weekly staple in my listening diet and I recommend it as a MUST LISTEN for any hip-hop fan out there, be you a hardcore or casual fan of the genre. It is, quite frankly, simply a juggernaut of a mix.
Jimi’s first Canadian excursion. Victoria, BC. 2017
Obviously, being from the same country, it was only a matter of time until these two titans of technical turntable technique found each other and started a relationship that has only served to benefit fans of deeply groovy things. “I think Jimi included a few of my tunes in his Needlewurk Mixtapes and that's how he came on to my radar,” Krafty tells me. Hey! Those Needlewurk mixes are the same way I found Jimi. Krafty’s just like me – except obviously, I’m not a world-renowned DJ and party rocker like Krafty. While Krafty was discovering Jimi through his Needlewurk mixes, Jimi was aware of Krafty’s reputation and catalogue. I mean, how could you be a young DJ in the UK and not know of the legend Krafty Kuts?! Jimi recalls the beginning of their musical relationship, “We first started just digging each others mixtapes and tunes and began swapping tunes. I first visited Martin's (Krafty’s) studio in 2017 but it took a few more years to start working on some DJ edits and eventually mixtapes.”
I’ve seen but never photographed Krafty. In lieu of a personal photograph, please enjoy this incredibly edited photo from the insane article I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Every big thing starts with something small, and the seeds for “50 Years…” were planted when they got together to create a festive mix for everyone’s least favourite musical holiday. (Except mine, because I’m a stupid moron who loves Christmas music.) “This isn't actually our first collaborative mixtape; we collaborated at the end of 2022 for a special Christmas vs Breaks/Hip Hop festive mix and we realised our workflow was rather effortless,” says Jimi. The successful team-up paved the way for this years monumental release. “We did some of the pre-production over Zoom; sounds crazy but you can share your audio workstation access with someone else so as long as you've got a lightspeed internet connection it means we can both work from our own studios.”
Luckily for hip-hop fans everywhere that we live in the age of fast internet and these two could connect properly for this mix. I know it's not just me who had a fucking experience the first time they listened to the mix. It's a monster, for all levels of rap fan. Krafty reflects on the impact the mix made almost right out of the gate. “The mix response has been incredible, just overwhelming. I didn't think I would have been able to match the Golden Era Mixes I've released prior, but we put so much pressure on ourselves to squeeze in as many records we loved in the space of an hour, for everyone to come back and say they’re enjoying it and that they can't wait for a 4-deck show is just incredible.” If for reason, this 4-deck show doesn’t make it to the Canadian west coast, I will be overtaken by a deep, heart-wrenching emptiness.
Jimi, like myself and seemingly everyone else who's heard them, has high praise for the Golden Era Mixes Krafty mentioned. “For me, and Martin may or may not know this, but a lot of people's ''go to'' hip-hop mixtapes are definitely those Golden Era Mixes. So the bar was already set extremely high as far as I was concerned. Now that Volume One is out there and has received so much love, the door is definitely open for Volume Two; in fact we've already started making our list and trading ideas. Can't wait!” Neither can we, Jimi. Neither can we.
Love stealing photos from Instagram. Follow Jimi there. That’s where I found this.
As always, big ups to both these guys for large swaths of the music catalogue that my friends and I have partied to for multiple decades. I know we're not the only ones on that tip. Thanks for the music and thanks for the time in answering the latest round of 5 QUESTIONS WITH RAGS. (That's me! I'm Rags.)
1. What's the first rap album you remember becoming obsessed with? What grabbed you about it? Do you still listen to or sample it?
KK: Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill, I actually took my name from the vocal ''Crafty'' and added cuts on the end.
JN: The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist
2. When's the last time you did something for the first time?
KK: I forgot how good salad is, and I'm learning how to make a corker.
JN: I made a chili sauce from scratch! (You can get it here! If you're around the UK, that is. I cannot order any to Canada. Also, he did not plug this. I am plugging this here for him.)
3. If you and only you were responsible for one chore for the rest of your life, what would you pick and why?
KK: I love hoovering - therapeutic, and washing – find that very rewarding - gotta look boxfresh!
JN: I do most of the cooking, and I love cooking for Mrs. Needles and my kids.
4. What's the last thing that made you cry – happy tears, sad tears, whatever tears?
KK: I saw a clip on Instagram of a deaf child hearing their parents for the first time.
JN: We are expecting another child in May, and our first born, Oscar, said ''I love my little sister!''
5. Have you seen or felt a ghost/otherworldly presence?
KK: In my old house, it always felt like there was an unusual presence, and I would see things I can't explain, like out of the corner.
JN: I saw a UFO about 13 years ago. I was setting up at a rave outside, and saw a light rise up from the tree line, and then zoom off at great speed. No one believed me.
6. Your guest question comes from Judas Icarus, one of the best professional wrestlers currently in Canada, nay, the world! Would you prefer immortality or the opportunity to go back and relive any and every moment of your life once?
KK: I'd go back and relive!
JN: Same! Relive all the awesome moments!
You can keep connected and up-to-date with Krafty Kuts and Jimi Needles at all the normal spots – FB, Twitter, Insta. But if you wanna support and get the real goods, check out their Patreon pages where you can get exclusive releases, edits and remixes.
https://www.patreon.com/kraftykuts https://www.patreon.com/jimineedles