DeejayScootz |
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DeejayScootz
is a man on a mission ….to
get your body moving and bumping. Toronto and surrounding areas
have been fortunate enough to hear Toronto-based Professor scootz
spin selections from his Grand aray of rare and cutting edge recordings
that have left the party screaming…..”work me to the
bone.” Mr. Neil Livingston aka Scootz is seen by many to be at the top of his game " His music titles run as deep in flavor as they do in quality – incorporating Jazz, Sweet 60's Soul, 70's R&B, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, Conscious Reggae, and a diverse array of Electronic music that includes Mancunian, Tech, House, Drum + Bass, Jazzy and Broken Beats. deejay scootz's career as a party DJ is now 9-years strong from Johnny K's legendary Lolita's Lust/Chinchilla Lounge in Toronto, Irie food joint on Queen To eggplant an king street…and the list goes on. If you think that’s it he is also the founder of a great underground collective called beatzmassive, and he promotes Canadian talent in the global marketplace through his Seven C-s imprint. I had the chance to talk with deejayScootz in his hood. Tanya: Who is dj scootz? DeejayScootz: Neil M. Livingston. Lover of music, humanitarian and socialist. Tanya: What are you looking for in your life? DeejayScootz: Bigger crowds and bigger pay days and a couple of LP’s and a 45’ that I lost called Blessed-reggae time. Tanya: Growing up what kind of music did you listen to? DeejayScootz: Simon and Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, ray charles, marvin gaye, otis redding, ac/dc, then in my early teens bob marley etc… Tanya: Whats the deal with Simon and Garfunkle? DeejayScootz: Lyrics and beat. Tanya: How did reggae get into your life? DeejayScootz: In 1987 I was in Jamaica with my dad and his friend was really into Bob Marley, and coming back to Canada I did my own Bob investigation of his music and ive been a fan ever since. Tanya: What are your Jamaica Highlights? DeejayScootz: Sunsets in Negril, Naked Sexy Girls, Climbing Dunns River Falls and Pirates Cove in Port Royal. Tanya: Back to the music….your taste is very eclectic…why? DeejayScootz: Growing up Bi-racial in Canada you stradle everything as long as its got a good beat. Tanya: What is your background? DeejayScootz: Scottish, Jamaican and Canadian Tanya: Who are some of your hero’s DeejayScootz: Muhamed Ali, mom, God, Fidel Castro, Herbie Hancock, Ben Johnson and Lady T. Tanya: During your dj sets you only use vinyl… why? DeejayScootz: Vinyl gives me the most pleasure, im a purist and it sounds better. Its also has a visual and tactile nature to it and I like the exercise of carrying crates. Tanya: If Cd’s, MP3s and Vinyl were in a royal rumble who would win? DeejayScootz: Vinyl it does not need electricity. Tanya: Have you used cd’s before for gigs? DeejayScootz: I have used it if necessary or a computer, Its convenient, yet you don’t have to do anything. Tanya: Why do you think our society is becoming very digital? DeejayScootz: Convenience. Tanya: Any Canadian artist inspirations? DeejayScootz: Maestro aka Maestro Fresh Wes Tanya: Have you done any Canadian artist collaborations?? DeejayScootz: Yes I worked with an Artist named Green Tara from the west she’s great. Look out for her album coming out soon. Tanya: What is your favourite album? DeejayScootz: Cannonball Adderly’s Something Else Tanya: Name one album that you could not be without? DeejayScootz: Stevie Wonders Songs of the key of life Tanya: When did you get into Jazz? DeejayScootz: My dad took me to a lot of jazz shows as a kid that included Ella Fitzgerald, The Marsellis Brothers etc….and a friend got me on to Herbie Hancocks album HeadHunters and I was hooked. Tanya: Is there an art to “digging” ( looking for records) DeejayScootz: You need some knowledge of music and be willing to get dirty. Be patient and honest. Tanya: Whats the oddest piece of vinyl that you have picked up? DeejayScootz: A Russian copy of stevie’s greatest hits of the 70”s that I bought in Havana. It’s a nice pressing and it sounds great. Tanya: What”s next for you Scootz??? DeejayScootz: A gig for the Car company Volvo coming up soon, a gig for Nuit Blanche , and mo money. Im hoping to do a lot more outdoor gigs, harbourfront collaborations and cultural events. Thanks Scootz One Love Thanks peace To stay informed of where scootz is playing in the city go to… Scootz spins Saturday nite at the Rivoli 332 Queen St. West, Start time 10pm upstairs and Thursdays at Kultura 169 King st W. |
