DJ RAIKO PROFILE Started dj'ing 9 years back • Plays Classic/Eclectic Hip Hop sets • Also known to play a mixture of Soul, Funk & Reggae • Was a member of "amuchDarkerPromotions" which did events that showcased Local Hip Hop artist's as well as some respected International Acts. Some of the events include: • 1998-2001 Boogie Down Knights, Cpt's biggest monthly Hip Hop Party that set the standard in Hip Hop gigs to follow. Featured performances by U.S based Rap outfit "Dead Prez" as well as Respected U.K Dj's Kofi, Semtex, Olabean, Asif, Woody, Mr. Thing and French Dj K-IM. Resident Dj's included Big Dre', Azhul and Ready D. I started dj ing at events in 2001. • 2000-2001 WordLife, Mc Battles that happened once a month including Sets by Dj's such as Dj Semtex (U.K. Def Jam), Ready D and Hamma. • 2001-2004 The Lounge Sessions Weekly Friday night party that was setup for every one from all walks of life to appreciate good Hip Hop Music. Resident Dj's included Doberman (U.K.), Hamma and Big Dre'. It also Hosted Hip Hop Dj's from the Red Bull Music Academy, which included Dj Spair (Oakland Faders). Was to date Cpt's freshest weekly Hip Hop spot! Other events: • 2000-2006 Regularly played at most underground Hip Hop event in the Cape Town area from Mitchells Plain to Guguletu as well as Langa and Khayelitsha as well as the regular City club nights. • 2001 Played the regular opening slot at theLab, a club that offered Reggae, Drum & Bass and Hip Hop. Played the opening set for the very first BeatBangaz event. • 2002 was the Dj for the "Hotbox" show on UCT Radio 104.5. This was hosted by members of Cpt Rap group Groundwork's. • 2004 Setup the monthly "Speech Therapy" sessions that hosted Local Mc's competing in Freestyle Battles, that allowed the winner free Studio time as well as a cash prize. The alternative months were used for Artists to showcase their talent with the aid of a live band; Singers, Mc's and Dj's were encouraged to participate. • Dj for MTN's Free 2 Speak campaign (Cpt) included set @ the Premiere of the movie 8 Mile. • Helped with the run around of the Cape Town tour of "Black August" with International Hip Hop acts Black Thought of the Legendary Roots crew, Dead Prez, Jeru the Damaja, Boots from the Coup and Talib (YOU STILL OWE ME FOR THE DIME BAG?) Kweli of BlackStar fame! • Closing set at the (Cpt) Launch of Hip Hop Magazine, C.O.R.E. • 2004 joined Abnormal Detail (AND). JHB Rap crew that consists of Tha Hympathic Thabs and Gini Grindith. A fusion of Hip Hop and Theatre gave us the chance to perform at the "National Arts Festival" that same year. • 2006 was Dj for Jhb tour of the Tri-Continental Hip Hop fest. First event included performances by Wordworth (Freestyle Extraordinaire) with Dj DP One from the U.S. Jonzi D (Hip Hop Theatre) U.K and Ben Sharpa (Veteran Mc) representing South Africa. • Working with Nigerian born artist Damola as Dj, lookout for Mixtape dropping soon!! • "Sharpaganda Mixtape" Ben Sharpa mixed my Raiko dropping soon… hopefully!! I also write a Hip-Hop column for local music magazine BPM. Produced beats for Gini Grindith, Konfab the Articulate and Endzi the otherness.