Hey DJ! Friday Q&A: E da Boss

The GrownKids Radio Crew (from left to right): Cyclyst, Brown Majic, E da Boss, Diversify, Spinnerty

E da Boss lives up to that mighty title by acting as the go-to tour DJ for Bay Area heavies like Blackalicious and Jennifer Johns, among his myriad other skills. He also keeps an ear to the underground, with projects ranging from the label (Slept On Records) to the radio (his involvement in a killer new Pirate Cat crew, Grown Kids Radio) to task of filling the Li Po basement with moving bodies at the end of the weekend (Sweater Funk). Oh, and did we also mention he sings? 

Name: Eric or E da Boss

How'd you get to be Da Boss? I stole it from Bruce Springsteen

Club night(s): Holy Thursdays at Underground SF (1st Thursdays);  Soul Knock Out at Missouri Lounge (2nd Saturdays); The Funky Rewind at Skylark (4th Thursdays), Grown Kids Radio at Pirate Cat Cafe (87.9 FM weekly) Style(s) of music you spin: Punk Rock, New Wave & Soul, Pop Music, Salsa, Rock & Roll, Calypso, Reggae, Rhythm & Blues

What's a typical work day like for you? Work my day job from 9-5 then usually working on music or DJing at a bar/club, sleep, repeat!

You've been the DJ for most of the big guns in local hip-hop. How'd you get your start, and what's your secret? I got started through my friendship with Gift of Gab. We used to work together at a call center in Berkeley and when Blackalicious needed a tour DJ he hit me up for the gig. No secret. I love what I do and that shines through.

What's new and exciting in the world of Bay Area hip-hop? Everything, So much great talent in the Bay. I'm just glad to be a part of it all.

What's the idea behind your new collective radio show, Grown Kids Radio? To play and promote beat culture music and artists from the Bay Area and around the world.

Name of a track you can't get out of your head: Soul Investigator by Mike Slott

Musical mantra: I have none

Favorite DJ experience: I was on tour with Jennifer Johns in Hawaii and I got to DJ for reggae superstar Dawn Penn at an afterparty.  Also Sweater Funk Sunday nights in Chinatown, one of the best parties in SF right now.

Worst request: Elvis

Most treasured vinyl score: Le Planete Sauvage Original LP for $2.00 (Thanks James)

What other music-related projects are you currently working on? A full length vocal project with my friend Myron for the Timmion label from Finland (Yea, I sing also), A split 7" with Mophono, and the full length hip-hop release with Nick Andre on our label Slept On Records.

Question we didn't ask you but  you often ask yourself: Should I buy this record or just download it for Serato.....

Next time we can see you spin: Thursday, April 2nd at Underground SF with LA beatsmith Dibiase, Salva & Mike Boo, GrownKids Radio superstar DJ Diversify; 2nd Saturdays Soul Knock Out at Missouri Lounge in Berkeley with Hot Grits & Sweats the Bed; 4th Thursdays at Skylark with Makossa & Kung Fu Chris.