Behind the Turntables

More than not, DJs have been neglected from the praise given to the overall performance. So I will use this post to give a little background on DJ lil Jaz and DJ TLO who keep the wax spinning behind k-os and Shad, respectively.


DJ lil Jaz (http://www.myspace.com/djliljaz)

DJ Lil Jaz joined the faculty of The Royal Conservatory of Music in 2003, founding DJ Fundamentals: Scratch from Scratch - the first DJ class of its kind in Canada.

Currently, Jaz is touring with K-OS on the Yes! Karma Tour. Jaz first collaborated with K OS on the Joyful Rebellion release, providing scratches on the songs "Papercuts" and "Love Song". Jaz continued this relationship by joining K OS' live band as his DJ and keyboard player. The band saw much success in 2005 as they helped push the album to a near double platinum milestone in Canada.

From 2001 - 2005, Jaz collaborated with Nelly Furtado on stage and in the studio. Whether it was touring worldwide, providing scratches for songs, or producing music, he was an integral part of Nelly's first two multi platinum releases, Whoa! Nelly and Folklore.

Jaz has been a serious presence in Canada's DJ scene for over 12 years, helping cultivate the near non-existent turntablist scene in Canada over a 6 year competition career and alongside his crew members DJ Grouch and DJ Scratch. Together they were known as Turnstylez. Revered by DJs across the country, Jaz continues to open new doors in the scene as a teacher in the Urban Music & Technology department at The Royal Conservatory of Music Community School.

Competition Stats:
1st I.T.F. (International Turntable Federation) Western Hemisphere Championships, (N.Y.C.), Team Category, 1998
1st I.T.F. World Beatjuggling Champion 1999
1st I.T.F. Western Hemisphere Eliminations, (N.Y.C.) Beatjuggling Category, 1999
1st D.M.C. Canadian Finals, 1998
1st D.M.C. Toronto Finals, 1998
1st D.M.C. Toronto Finals, 1997
1st D.M.C. Toronto Finals, 1996

DJ TLO (http://www.myspace.com/djteelo)

Based out of Toronto, Canada comes DJ TLO - Raised from the DJ culture during the golden era of DJ battles in the late 90's in Toronto, TLO now embarks on his recording journey. He is known for his musical and harmonic style of mixing. After achieving success in the battle circut, winning a national title and representing Canada at the DMC world Finals in London UK in 2007, he continues to enter DJ competitions while venturing into the creation of an instrumental / cut up album comprised of his; production skills, scratching and mixing.

STATS:

2008:
- Scribble Jam DJ Champion
- Toronto DMC Champion

2007:
- DMC Canadian Supremacy Head-to-Head Champion
- Montreal DMC Champion
- Canadian National DMC Runner-Up
- Toronto turntablist of the year

2006:
- DMC Toronto Runner-Up
- DMC Canadian Final Four (Supremacy)
- Flow 93.5 T.I.P. DJ/Mix Champion