Rocc-A-Fella: J-Rocc Hits Beijing

Editor's Note: Bad news for all the hip-hop heads, J-Rocc's June 6 show at Yugong Yishan has been canceled. The good news is it may just be a postponement. Click here for more information.

It’s been well over a decade since J-Rocc founded the Beat Junkies, the legendary DJ collective – and it’s about time the man followed in the footsteps of his peers (i.e. Shortkut and Babu) and made it out to China. Prior to his first stop in Beijing, J-Rocc filled the Beijinger in on his worst habits, what it means to be a beat junkie, and the song he loves to hate.

The Beijinger: Three songs that would make someone fall in love with hip hop.
J-Rocc: A Tribe Called Quest’s "Can I Kick It," Slum Village’s "Fall In Love," and Sugarhill Gang’s "Rapper's Delight"

tbj: What do you want to do in China?
JR: Spin a good set and hopefully get some records to bring back home.

tbj: Define beat junkie.
JR: It's someone who loves music. The beats. Not just hip-hop. It could be rock, country, jazz … you just can't get enough music in your life.

tbj: What is your favorite junk food?
JR: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

tbj: What is your favorite sound?
JR: The sound of music.

tbj: What song do you most overspin?
JR: "Scenario," by A Tribe Called Quest. (But it still works!)

tbj: What song do you love to hate?
JR: "Scenario." I hate to play it because everyone plays it, but it's such a hip-hop classic so I gotta love it.

tbj: What international DJ do you most revere and why?
JR: Benji B, from London because he has a lot of music I wish I could get my hands on.

tbj: What is your worst bad habit?
JR: Managing time.

tbj: Which rapper/DJ parties the hardest?
JR: Melo D from the Beat Junkies is pretty hardcore when it comes to his parties.

tbj: If you could only listen to five songs for the rest of your life what would they be?
JR: John Coltrane, “A Love Supreme." J Dilla, "Wreckless Driving." The Beatles, "A Day in the Life." Madlib, "Bobby Womack." Goblin, “Snip Snap."

J-Rocc spins at Yugong Yishan on Jun 6. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm.