DJ Afri-Kanson is one of the best-kept secrets in the music industry, but that is all about to change.  What follows is a conversation with this talented, smart, and funny man, with a big heart and even bigger ambitions. A few years back, I accompanied a colleague of mine, Miriam Schlatcher, on an assignment for Steve Morse, entertainment editor for The Boston Globe.  She was meeting with DJ Jide “Afri-Kanson” Max, a new rising House deejay with a unique style who also happened to be my favorite.  At the time, I hoped to get the opportunity to ask Afri-Kanson some of my own questions--but it didn’t happen.  So when I was asked recently to interview      Afri-Kanson for this article, my heart skipped a beat.  I was finally getting the chance to get answers to questions we have all been waiting for.  

His Unique Style … 

Meanwhile, Jide “DJ Afri-Kanson” Max’s name started to surface in the house music dance scene, his sound became known as “Gritty”.  I asked him where “Gritty” came from and he replied, “I have always loved to experiment with all these sounds we deejays have to produce with. One day I decided to sample a scratchy sound from a 1950’s record and overlay the sound onto a drum kick and playback and I got this really funky sound--the dirty, gritty kick I was looking for.”         DJ Afri-Kanson’s knowledge of Afrikan music contributed to his unique dance music style that would later be described as “jungle music”.  I asked him to elaborate on this style and he explained, “My interest in music started as a teenager while listening to the villagers in the countryside of my home town.  These guys would fabricate their own instruments out of simple things like sticks, empty milk cans, or bamboo sticks and make music for hours at a time.”  Early exposure to tribal sounds like this has influenced Afri-Kanson’s selection and style of music in both production and deejay performances.

 The Club Scene …

DJ Afri-Kanson’s spin style has a broad appeal-- no matter the age, gender, or ethnicity of his audience— often drawing big and diverse crowds, and club owners started to take notice.  As word of DJ Afri-Kanson’s unique style spread, his exceptional turntable skills got him a regular gig as resident Monday House Night deejay at club Nine-- at that time, the only urban dance club in Boston.   DJ Afri-Kanson’s reputation spread throughout the Boston nightclub scene and opened doors to other popular dance venues such as Club Paradise, Metro, The Palace, Avenue, HubClub, and Axis. It was while spinning at club Axis that DJ Afri-Kanson was approached by Vinnie Cirincione, Philip Soccorso, and Gary Ramus, the co-owners of a new late-night private dance club.  They had heard about the legendary funky sound of DJ Afri-Kanson and recruited him as resident deejay of Club M, a non-alcoholic dance club and the only dance club licensed to stay open until 4 am in the city of Boston. 

Mo’ Club Gigs …   Mo Club Gigs …  

DJ Afri-Kanson’s diverse fan base spread beyond bean-town, across the state and the east coast.Now a deejay, remixer, and record producer, DJ Afri-Kanson drew the attention of one Ed “The Red” Goltsman, a well-known keyboardist.  Red was so impressed with DJ Afri-Kanson’s exceptional talent that he made a point of going to see him perform at New York City’s famous nightclub, Limelight.  The two would later team up to produce new dance tracks such as “My Love And My Friend” by Barbara Dixon, “Model 9000” by ODC, “Music Is Wonderful” by Vivian Lee, “Where’s The Love” and “You’ve Got Me Runnin“ by Sample Minded.  All of which were released on Ed’s record label, Bottom Line Records, USA.  From there, DJ Afri-Kanson would go on to play at other New York clubs like the Palladium, Club USA, The Tunnel and OZ--all in New York; and on MUCHMUSIC’s Electric Circus in Canada. DJ Afri-Kanson has performed in so many clubs, I wondered, what’s left to play?  I asked him where he’d like to perform next and he replied, “I would like to be in a stadium packed full of people and have thousands of house heads thumping and stomping to music mixed by yours truly.”   DJ Afri-Kanson continues to produce dance music for his label as well as other record labels and has returned to his dance house roots in the club scene doing what he does best--performing for his fans.  No doubt, DJ Afri-Kanson derives great satisfaction from sharing his love of music by performing for the crowd. 

And Studio Work Too…   

As a veteran in the music business with extensive knowledge, talent, and experience,                    Afri-Kanson has evolved into an accomplished record producer in a variety of genres including HipHop/Rap, R&B, House, Techno, Minimal, Reggae and Reggaeton.  Among his house music productions is “Let’s Go Disco” by Southern Comfort featuring Nolan Epps.  Released on Digital Dungeon Records, this song was so successful, it became a remix project and later released as “The Remixes” reproduced and remixed by Derrick Carter and DJ Sneak--two of the best producers and remixers in Chicago.  Before long, Afri-Kanson started getting the attention of record companies and even started his own label called BadaBoy Music.  He later produced and released more songs on various record labels like Mic-Mac Records, Digital Dungeon and C&S Recordings. 

Great Experiences …

Throughout his career, DJ Afri-Kanson has collaborated and associated with some of the best talents in the music business, among them:  

Cary Vance of Virgin Records - Record Executive at Promo Only 

George Hess and Hosh Guirelli of Arista Records with Clive Davis 

Merlin Bobb – Executive at EastWest Records / Atlantic 

Peter Gatien - Owner of Limelight, Tunnel, and Club USA in New York City  

Steve Alderman - Club promoter who recruited DJ Afri-Kanson to perform at the Limelight and also represented him. 

New Edition – Boston’s “puppy love” singing group.  Afri-Kanson was the first radio personality to interview the band, New Edition featuring Bobby Brown (Whitney Houston’s ex).                         DJ Afri-Kanson was the first to showcase and play their very first single “Candy Girl” on WRBB 104.9FM.  Also at the interview were Morris Starr and Michael Jonzun. 

Picture Perfect - All girl rhythm and blues band.  DJ Afri-Kanson performed music edits for Merlin Bobb’s remixes of their single “Picture Perfect.”   

DJ Afri-Kanson has been fortunate to work with and even become close friends with some of the most talented Producers and DJs in the industry, such as Tony Humphries, Jovonn, John “Jellybean” Benitez, DJ Kato (From “Roc and Kato”), David Morales, Todd Terry, DJ Pierre and others. 

    What’s NEXT for DJ Afri-Kanson … ?  

DJ Afri-Kanson’s newest venture is owner and CEO of www.MyRecordDeal.net, an online music community and marketplace.  I asked him what motivated him to start this company and he replied, “To me, making music is like preparing a meal--as long as you know what you are doing, you should be able prepare it, then sit down and enjoy it.  But I find that record companies put too many obstacles in our way.”  Can you elaborate?  “Through the years, I have produced and co-produced dozens of singers and rappers all vying for record deals with the major record labels. Unfortunately for me and these talented artists, doors were often shut in our faces and I just tired of it. So I decided to try a different approach and open some doors of my own by creating a virtual community where unsigned artists can finally showcase their work and make money at the same time.  MyRecordDeal.net is that open door through which unknown singers, rappers, musicians, producers and deejays can take their talent to the world.  With MyRecordDeal.net, I’ve created a virtual community where music lovers can support their favorite artists, and unknown, unsigned independent artists can shine and sell their songs.  This is an exclusive site that caters only to the artist-- a place to get the music you cannot find anywhere else. Singers, rappers, and poets (spoken word) who are looking for a record deal or just a chance to be heard, can now do both at www.MyRecordDeal.net.”   

 This Is Only The Beginning …