DORIAN GEIGER
Arts Writer

One of the best hip-hop producers in all of Western Canada — possibly the best turntablist and producer in the West, better known as Saskatoon’s DJ Factor — dropped his new album Lawson Graham on May 18.

    Regina hip-hop pioneer Def3 is a close friend of Factor’s and appears on the new album’s “Battle Scars” track. Lost for words and taken aback in attempts to describe the new album, all the lyrically talented Def3 could offer for description was to grin and say that Lawson Graham is “original as fuck.”

    All the way from the Bay in San Francisco Factor spoke to the Sheaf about his recent Japanese tour and the primary influence of the new record — Factor’s grandpa, Lawson Graham.

    Staying true to your roots is something musical artists of all genres fail so often to accomplish in their endeavours but not DJ Factor, Lawson Graham is about as prairies hip-hop as you can get.   

The Sheaf: Tell me about your artistic background.
DJ Factor: Well, I started DJing in 1998-99 and my first official release was called Time Invested in 2001. Since then I have released and produced 25-plus albums. I have been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented rappers and artists in the world including Xzibit, Sadat X, Myka 9, Tha Liks, AWOL One, Side Road, Moka Only and Pigeon John. I have also been on tours in Japan, Europe, U.S.A. and Canada. Music has allowed me to see and learn a lot about the world. I have had experiences that I never would have been able to have if it wasn’t for music.

Sheaf: What songs in particular on Lawson Graham make you think of your grandpa or speak to the album’s theme? What kind of person do you envision your grandpa as?
Factor: Well my grandpa worked at the train station in Spiritwood, Sask., so all the songs on the album deal with travelling, relationships, life and really whatever would come with working in the train station, meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life. Musically speaking it has a very prairie vibe.

Sheaf: Describe what type of album Lawson Graham is and the music behind it.
Factor: It is some indie pop, psychedelic, folk, heavy drums hip-hop.

Sheaf: Is this change in your style something you’ve progressed to and something more permanent in your brand of music? Or were you just having fun and trying something abstract that would capture the spirit of your grandpa?
Factor: A little of both, Lawson Graham is a concept album dedicated to my grandpa and captures the prairie feeling. My music will always change as my life changes. I just continue to do songs that I am feeling at the time.

Sheaf: You’ve been around the world and back. Talk about your recent tour.
Factor: We just got back from a super hype Japanese tour with AWOL One, Sole and Ceschi. The shows were out of control and we met some amazing people. I spent most of March in Europe with Saskatoon rapper Kay The Aquanaut and Def 3 from Side Road Records repping Saskatchewan to the fullest. As well, I have done Canadian shows and now I am in San Francisco. So I leave, get back and leave again but it is cool because every tour more and more people find out about the music.

Sheaf: You’ve been in the recording booth with Xzbit alongside a hip-hop colleague of yours AWOL One and have also performed with him. What was it like working with an artist of X’s notoriety and do you think we’ll ever see the host of Pimp My Ride on the prairies hosting a show with Factor?
Factor: Xzibit is dope and it has been an honour to perform and work with him. He really helped out with the Owl Hours record and dropped some classic verses. I hope to be able to work with him again. It would be really dope to rock a sick show with him in Saskatchewan. But we will see if the stars align for that.

Sheaf: What other projects or collaborations do you currently have on the go? And what’s next for Factor?
Factor: Gregory Pepper and I have completely finished a new album under the group name Common Grackle. It will come out July 27 on Fake Four Inc. and it features Ceschi Ramos and the spankmaster himself, Kool Keith. I am also working on a new Paranoid Castle with Kirby D, Awol One and Factor — third album, a new Myka 9 record and always working with the Side Road (Records) homies.

DJ Factor will be having a massive CD release party at Amigos on June 19 with surprise special guests.