King Britt - Keeping It Regal

Two decades since his career beginnings as Strictly Rhythm-signed E-Culture and grammy-tokened Digable Planets’ DJ, King Britt has gone from Philladephia-owned Hip-Hop deck-master to legendary international producer and musician, remixing tracks for Macy Gray, Roy Ayers and The O’Jays. Although his roots still remain in Philly (now creative cultural ambassador for the city), King Britt’s extensive DJ sets, showcasing every beat from deep house to nu-jazz and funk, have seen him gain international industry acclaim. Part of the SPL Masters in Session project, Britt joins a line-up including Innervisions, Coldcut and Soul Clap to share-down and showcase his live production skills at Camden’s Roundhouse this August 20th. Pulse caught up with him ahead of the date.. 

Pulse: You're taking part in the Masters In Session project, can you tell us a little bit about this? King Britt: I will be showing how I take my production techniques from studio to stage through technology; discussing my set up and software used.

You’ll be teaching people about live improvisation, are there any tips you've picked up from the current tour? We are always learning. My lady taught me a secret yesterday that was a huge breakthrough! It’s the little things.

Since going global from your hometown Philadelphia would you say it still had an influence, a ground in what you do?  Philly is definitely my DNA so to speak.  Growing up, radio was amazing. We had great shows and my parents always provided a beautiful music environment.  It’s much different now.  There still are great things happening but the tradition of dedication to a certain event or party is being lost but creatively, all the bands and people are collaborating in great ways.

With your role as the creative cultural ambassador, is there much happening there musically right now? My lady and I have been curating our events called Saturn Never Sleeps (http://saturnneversleeps.com/about) . We’ve been keeping the spirit of improvisation alive but using technology, like drum machines and laptops.  It’s been mind blowing.  We have had everyone from Flying Lotus and Shabazz Palaces to Mary Anne Hobbs. We are also a group called Saturn Never Sleeps.  The album drops 2 August on our own label.  It captures the spirit of the night but in a more song-structured way.

Do your roots in hip-hop transcend to the dance-beats your making now? All my musical influences go into every aspect of production.  I haven't been making too much dance music lately but I’m definitely coming back into that in the next few months.

How relevant do you feel hip-hop is today? Unfortunately, on a commercial level, hip-hop has been so watered down that it’s pop. There still is a thriving underground though. Bands like Shabazz Palaces are paving the way and beat scenes like Low End Theory in LA have been keeping the real shit alive.

King Britt Interview :: Saturn Never Sleeps :: Soul Superhero from Soul Superhero on Vimeo.

Your CV is insanely long; producer, DJ, label head.. what would you title yourself though?  Musicologist and Producer.  

How has your role as a DJ changed from being with Digable Planets to now? I was djing years before Digable Planets.  I was putting out records on Strictly Rhythm and dragging my vinyl from Philly to London to Japan in the early 90s. So, I’ve seen many phases.   I’m most excited now with the addition of technology,  there are things you can do on the fly that you could only dream of doing back in the day - and you don't have to lug vinyl all over the world.

You’re an extremely versatile DJ, would you say your influences and sounds battle each other for set time or are they all connected by something? I just play good music period.  As a DJ it’s my job to thread it all together and also keep the listener entertained and educated simultaneously.  Music is the universal language, just different dialects with the same purpose.  

Do you feel you can experiment more with dance music then any other genre as with Saturn Never Sleeps? As explained earlier, hell yes! I love it and exploring more comfortable set ups and ideas - it’s kinda endless.

Over the twenty years you’ve worked in the industry has your sound changed naturally or were you forced to change the beat because of developments in technology? Oh technology is only a tool to help grow organically. I have always done what I naturally resonate with and will continue to do so.  Im not into trends!

Are you pleased with how last year’s release, Intricate Beauty, was received? Are you planning on releasing any more material in the near future? We at Saturn Never Sleeps, release music each month - it’s all on the site.  So our catalogue is continuously growing like wildfire. Intricate Beauty was so fun to make and the song NOW was a big club hit as well but I do feel it could have been more in the spotlight.  But I really don't do music for that purpose.  I just love producing. I've been doing a few rock bands that have been really successful, like Bedouin Soundclash's new album, Light the Horizon – a really big record.

Erin Kubicki

Masters In Session takes place on August 20th at The Roundhouse. Full info here.

King Britt on Pulse