bio

Syntax means “The study of the rules whereby words or other elements of sentence structure are combined to form grammatical sentences”. “The pattern of formation of sentences or phrases in a language.” (Webster dictionary)

Syntax started dee jaying early 90s playing all kind of music – Funk, Pop, Rap and RnB. Like any other kids at that time, Syntax had many interests - but all of his interests involved hip hop especially the element that created hip hop, dee jaying.

1997 – Syntax's life as a Hip Hop dj begins. Collecting underground rare hip hop records around the streets of Johannesburg. Staying true to underground hip hop is something till today he hasn't lost. Inspired by the music of Madlib, DJ Premier, Rob Swift, Babu, Jaydee, ?uestlove and of course major influences from the local DJs Mista Bigga, Blaze, realRozzano and Bionic to name a few.

Syntax and Dolla

Syntax now dedicates his life to this wonderful art of hip-hop. But he does not limit himself to underground hip-hop, he plays mostly soul/ funk/ acid-jazz and even incorporate jazz on his set.

Syntax spends most of his time looking for rare records. In addition to the work he is doing as a dj, he does multimedia stuff for corporates. He does consultation through Amuseafrica Online Magazine (the company).

BOOKINGS: 082-339-7995

Classic /Memorable Gigs:

• Table Turns / at 206 /May 2001 with DJs Ready D, Redwood, Sibot, Bionic
• One Love / at Horror Cafe /2002 with DJs Blaze
• Wu-Tang album launch / at Roxy's Melville /2002 with Mista Bigga, Bionic, Blaze
• Skwatta Kamp Mkhukhu Funkshen album launch/ Midrand with Naked, Dolla, C-live
• Le Club downtown jozi
• All Touchbase gigs 2003, 2004

Discography:

• Hip Hop Demolition (resident) - Eastrand - 2006
• Splash Jam (Sundays) - Soweto - 2006
• YFM Essential Rush launch - Spruitview (Saturday) - 2006
• Sugar Reef (resident) - Braamfontein (Fridays) - 2006 with live! bands
• Capital Cafe - Rosebank (Thursdays) - 2006
• Devine Lounge - Rosebank (Saturday) - 2005
• Keyes on the Avenue - Rosebank (Thursday) 2005
• The Songwriters Club - Newtown (Thursday) 2005 - with live! bands (J&B /Gallo Party)
• Mo's - Norwood (Wednesdays) - 2004
• Trescalini - Norwood (Fridays) - 2002

DJ SYNTAX CONCEPT PARTIES: SOUL SURVIVOR(eastrand)

Concept:

The brand new concept of beautiful hip hop, definitive sounds and altered vibes in a chill-out environment. If you are tired of main stream music you hear in and out on radio and clubs then you should come and experience Soul Survivor - you'll listen to nice music.

“Everybody's got soul! Everybody doesn't have the same culture to draw from. but everybody's got soul”
- James Brown
The godfather of soul – James Brown, inspired Soul Survivor. His style has been celebrated throughout generations, as one of the most sampled artist to date.

These are annual sessions!

Lost Interview

How long have you been deejaying?
Since the age of 10. Fortunately my sister worked for Gallo and she used to bring us records. It was mad.

Who influenced you in becoming a deejay?
My brother, he used to be a House DJ at UCT Radio. It's the artform itself that made me to be an Underground Hip Hop DJ.

What best describes your style?
I would say Soulful underground Hip Hop and Funk/Breaks. I enjoy playing artists like Jaguar Wright, Soulive, Common... Neosoul stuff. On the funk side, James Brown, Aritha Franklin, Lynn Colins.... Rearranging my set live(beatjuggling) it's like I was born to do that.

Who in South Africa do you think are dope on the wheels of steel?
The Chop-su crew(bionic,bigga,blaze). DJ Dolla, C-Live and watch out for DJ King(vosloo).

What's your favourite turntable skill?
beatjuggle.

If you could battle anyone who would it be and why?
Sibot, He got skills. and please note, I don't see myself as a battle dj

Top five 12" in your crate - July 2003?
1: Little Brother. 2: Dr Breaks(breakbeat). 3: All Natural. 4:Platinum Pied Pipers. 5: Pete Rock

How are your beats doing?
My beats are still in my bedroom. I play a lot of funk and jazz records to get the samples. With major influences from Pete Rock, Dilla, Madlib, 9th. and ofcourse Preme. So my beats will definitely have soul. Will be something different and new in SA Hip Hop. It's something to look forward in the very near future.

DJ Syntax Album?
I'll probably drop a mixtape 1st(It's been long overdue). my mixtape, of which will be a compilation of funk/jazz - basically the breaks. But I want to produce stuff for the cats before I actually drop an album.

Illest SA Hip Hop Producers?
Nemesis, Infa, Hoodlum, Battlekat

Touchbase Tour, how did it go?
Yeah, one of the the best thing ever happened to SA Hip Hop. Enjoyed every little bit of it. It's really nice to play tracks for the heads. Big ups to everyone who contributed.

Shout outs and messages to the people reading this interview?
Keep it real and DO YOUR THING!

Where can people get hold of you?
dj @ ananzi dot co dot za (1 word)

For Bookings contact: 082-339-7995
PO BOX 783247, Sandton, 2146.