Kid Koala and RJD2

Two of the world’s best self confessed DJ-nerds KID KOALA & RJD2 have spent the last few years making thrift-store audio collages densely packed with detail. Shelf stacking emptiness; emotive breaks, and boozy jazz; broken beats mended with cinematic ambience; obsessive and manipulated funked up turntablism; and inspired influences ("I'd really like to write songs about the letter Q”, says Koala) - all swimming laps in the instrumental hip hop genre. Oh, and don’t forget funny, hilariously funny. 

From Kid Koala’s Ninja Tune offerings, his ‘Scratchappyland’ demo, his albums ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’ and the latest ‘Some of My Best Friends Are DJs’, the world has grown to love his whimsical charm. Other than his musical releases (which have all been accompanied by Koala’s artwork, often video games and his own self-illustrated comic books), his first book ‘Nufonia Must Fall’ was published in March of 2003. This 350-page illustrated love story about an out-of-work robot and a workaholic girl was accompanied by a ‘soundtrack’ of short record of original, experimental piano-based compositions. Get the Kid Koala headspace? Koala’s also continued to tour extensively as a member of groups such as Deltron 3030, Lovage, and Bullfrog and has opened for everyone from the Beastie Boys to Radiohead. 

Def Jux guru El-P has publicly stated that RJD2’s ‘DeadRinger’ record will "change the motherfuckin' world.” Muddling the soulful discordant glory of DJ Shadow, dark, confusing, emotive soundscapes, all salted up with grimey, gritty hip hop flavours, RJD2’s music is like a summer storm. Moody, beautiful, triumphant and damaging, but kinda joyful in its resolve. Having released on Rawkus, Fondle ‘Em and Def Jux Records RJD2’s own solo cut-and-paste meddling, and serious hip hop stylings as Soul Position (with MC Blueprint) are setting the world alight. Slow burning but hot.