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DJ Princess Cut Vital Stats
BOUT 2 BLOW
Birthday: December 16 Birthplace: Wakayama, Japan Height: 5' 5'' Blood type: A Just the Two of Us - Remix song sample PC TV vol 1 DISCOGRAPHY credits BOUT 2 BLOW VOL 2 GET YA SUM!! UGQ MIXTAPE UGQ VOL 2 DOWN SOUTH HUSTLIN TEXAS TAKEOVER WHO GOT NEXT? LNIG INTERNATIONAL HUSTLE THUGNETIC SERIES II CERTIFIED GZ DAY2DAY GRINDIN SAME STRUGGLE CROOKED IN TEXAS MOCA QUEEN OF THE STREETS ICED OUT BLOW TO BLOW TIME IS MONEY INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED PRINCESS CUT CLASSICS SHELLA AND DJ PRINCESS CUT SIP A LOT CLASSICS YUMS MIXTAPE VOL 2 WHUDAFUXUP HOME OF THE HUSTLAZ LNIC RE-RELEASE WHO GOT NEXT? VOL 2 HUSTLIN' BOUT TO BLOW VOL 3
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DJ Princess Cut Interview
"It just feels so right... I thought I had something that I can add to this art form of Screw music. I wanted to let the rest of the world know
what this is all about." - DJ Princess Cut
Once upon a time a Japanese girl named Juri Koshikawa was born in Wakayama, Japan. At 18 she would travel to the US to start a new life, immersing herself in the challenge of learning English and mastering an art form few in her homeland had ever heard of. Miss Koshikawa would emerge from her studies as the one and only DJ Princess Cut, the First Lady of Screw Music. So come learn the story of how Texas became home to a Japanese woman who has dedicated herself to spreading the word about a form of music where, when she gets in the zone: "Time flies, still trill workin' the wheel at 4 in the morning. All the chops are on point. The bring backs sound good and the music I'm playing just sounds good screwed." On March 21, 2009 DJ Princess Cut was kind enough to give an interview to Andrew from J-Pop World. All photos courtesy of DJ Princess Cut.
Let's start from the beginning. You began life as Juri Koshikawa, born in Wakayama, Japan. What kind of a kid were you growing up? 
I was the first born child, so my parents treated me like a princess.
They let me go learn a lot of things, like Ballet dancing, swimming,
piano, painting and Japanese Shodo. I was very fortunate; I was
exposed to a lot more than regular kids.
How did your involvement in music start? Piano at first, then I joined the orchestra in junior high. I played trumpet and moved on to the guitar when I was 15. I was in a girl band with 2 of my friends until 18. I started Djing and listening to hip hop later. I heard Screw music / DJ Screw. This really inspired me to become the first lady of screw music. Did you always believe music would play such a large part in your life? I've always loved music and I've always wanted music in my life. What you think all day is what you are. So music must be what I am. Did your parents have a musical background? Not so much. My grandparents play traditional Japanese instruments called Koto and my dad loved all types of music though. 
At the tender age of 18 you took the big step of moving to the US to
attend the Art Institute of Dallas. What are some of your memoires of
that first year?
I didn't understand any English at all. Lol. They kicked me out of school in the first semester, requiring me to go to Intensive English school. But I eventually learned to speak and kick it. I made friends and saw new things. It was so exciting. So the language adjustment was hard? Very, very hard ... Once I started enrolling in college here in Dallas, I started to learn English quicker. And of course, dating American guys worked out!! I learned quicker. Lol. What about Texas and the US surprised you the most? I felt like I can do it bigger here in US. And you know everything is BIGGER in TX. Livin' in Japan was great, but it was so crowded. Lol. I wanted to live in the big house with a basketball court and pool. JK/lol I felt like if I can make it in US, I can make it anywhere. Was moving overseas something you'd always thought about doing? 
Yes. Since I was 13. I met this lady from Oregon. She was an English
teacher at my junior high. She influenced me, motivated me to learn
English and move to America.
Tell us how you got into DJing. One of the first friends I made here in Dallas, they are graffiti writer and breakdancer. They introduced me to a lot of new things. I've tried all the Hip Hop elements, I even went to jail, doing graffiti. Lol. I got a tape that I'm rapping, freestyling in Japanese, etc... I just loved records and turntables more than any other elements. So I started Djing. You acquired a rather unusual nickname at the time -- The First Lady of Screw Music. How did that come about and did you ever have to explain what it meant to your family and friends back in Japan? Yes. Screw music is still underground in Japan. Back then, it was more underground ... so I tried to explain what it is to my people. A lot of people didn't feel me for a while, but I am just very passionate. I kept pursuing and finally people started to appreciate me, supporting me being the first lady of screw music. What about chop and screw so attracted you? 
Sound of it. It just feels so right. I love DJ Screw and DJ Michael Watts. I thought I had something that I can add to this art form of Screw
music. I wanted to let the rest of the world know what this is all about.
Can you explain what its like when you're in the zone doing your thing? Time flies, still trill workin' the wheel at 4 in the morning. All the chops are on point. The bring backs sound good and the music I'm playing just sounds good screwed. You won the Female DJ of The Year at the Southern Entertainment Awards in 2007. How surprising was that to you? It was amazing. I am female, and Japanese on top of that. People like me don't usually win in that kind of award. Lol. I was very happy, but I worked hard and felt like people felt that. How different do you see the music coming out of the east and west coasts of the US compared to the south? 
I like all type of music. I used to listen to more east west stuff though.
Once I chop and screw them, they do sound more southern though. I
like the southern swag. It feels good to live life a little slower.
Who have been some of your favorite artists to work with? Pimp C, Trae, Tum Tum, Big Tuck, ESG ... What's your relationship with Yums Shoes? My best hommie Tex (he named me DJ Princess Cut) design them. I'm a spokes model for Yums. There is a Yums mixtape that I mixed called Get u some!!!! hosted by Da Ryno. The mixtape is fire!! So get you a pair of Yums and my mixtape!! In addition to DJing and making mixed tapes you do a good deal of writing for magazines such as Tight. Was writing something you've always been interested in? Yes, I wanted to be a music writer at first, but I was getting involved with DJing more, so I gave up on writing for a min. 4 years ago, I got an offer to write a column in Down South Swangin, informing Japan with what's goin' on in the south. Since then, I've had several columns, such as Quit Hating the South, Don't mess with Texas, to name a few. I'm also doing a blog on amebreak called All Hail the Queen. There I talk 'bout more personal stuff rather than business. So check me out!! Do you think you'll ever write the autobiography of DJ Princess Cut? 
That's crazy you asked me this question. I've been talking 'bout writing a book. It doesn't have to be necessarily about just DJ Princess Cut.
I wanted to write about living in America, making it happen in the music industry, and all the craziness I went through. Lol.
How did you get hooked up with Universal Japan? My Japanese manager is brilliant!!! He introduced me to them and everything worked out perfectly. What projects are you working on now? Sip A Lot Classics Vol.2 Ringtones for Japan market Special project with Sony Japan Producing DVD Swag session for Japan 24 hour Fitness on NW Highway. Lol. Can you give us a little insight into your romantic life? What kind of places do you like to go to on a date? 
My romantic life is great. I love it. I don't wanna talk about too much
though. Lol. I enjoy outdoors very much. I went to the Arboretum the other day on a date.
It was such a beautiful place, I decided I wanna get married there.
(hint hint lol)
What three words would you use to describe the type of person that attracts you? Trill, intelligent, gentleman type. Lol. What types of workouts do you do to stay in shape? Play tennis, go canoeing, mini golf. I joined the 24 hr fitness last month, started playing b-ball, racquet ball etc. Your brother is in a band back in Japan called Kegawa no Marries. What kind of music does he play? Punkish rock stuff. They actually sound pretty good! My brother is the guitar player. They tour all over Japan and are making a big noise in Japan. I'm proud of him. What CD of theirs would you recommend to new fans? "My name is Romance." Check it out!!! Other than family and friends, what about Japan do you miss most when you're away? Japanese food! I love sushi and all types of seafood. Over here in Texas, we be eating catfish... I can't stand it. What are your thoughts on starting a family? I don't have any children yet, but I would love to have one or two when I'm ready! I might sound selfish, but I wanna be able to give everything to my children. But I have to get my papers straight at this point. If there was one thing you want everyone to know about DJ Princess Cut what would it be? Just know that I'm the First Lady of Screw Music. I am, and I will be forever. Do you have a final message to all your fans? Thanks for all the support. I love each one of yall!!! Check me out at MySpace for new music, pictures, etc. You can also check me out on my official site. There I have free download, wallpaper, all types of fun stuff!
Like she said, for more info checkout DJ Princess Cut's official site and MySpace page. Leave your comments about this interview and read what others had to say at the following link: Interview Comments |