The northwest’s slow climb into public acceptance has come with an increasing amount of new media outlets ready to show support and get involved (The Northwest Breakout Show, 206up.com, Respect My Region, Hip Hop Junkies).
DJ Klyph’s show, Welcome to the Neighborhood, has featured just about every name at the top of Portland’s hip hop class at one point or another, and plays a combination of local favorites and hip hop classics.
You can tune in every Tuesday night from 7-9pm at KZME.
I caught up with Klyph on G-Chat this weekend…
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12:14 PM me: For people that don’t know. Introduce yourself…
12:16 PM Klyph: Peace world. I go by the name DJ Klyph, host of Welcome to the Neighborhood on KZME radio Portland
12:17 PM me: The show has been very well received by Portland’s hip hop community. How did things get started?
12:24 PM Klyph: Man, just being a fan of local hip hop really. Had an opportunity to build with KZME from the inception (shout out to Jesi LoPresto). Connected with Kenny Fresh of Fresh Selects at The Fix, and he put me on to a bunch of local artists, just been networking since.
me: Shout out KNNY FRSH! What have been some of your favorite moments from the show?
12:29 PM Klyph: Wow, I’ve had a few. Having a chance to interview SlimKid3 has got to be up there. I’ve been a fan of the Pharcyde for a minute. Interviewing Spice 1, a west coast legend, was real cool. I did an interview with LMNO of the Visionaries which was crazy. Connected when he was passing through PDX on vacation.
12:31 PM me: What have been some of your favorite projects to come out of the NW so far this year?
Klyph: Then of course having WOHM on the show.
me: haha. I assumed that was a highlight.
Klyph: And you know this!
Favorite projects this year?
12:32 PM me: Lets go!
Klyph: Illmaculate Skrill Talk is hot.
12:33 PM Th3ory Hazit Thr3e is a favorite.
12:34 PM The Destro Destro/CashFlow project has been fun, and the singles he’s released over the last two months are in rotation for sure.
12:35 PM Oops, Destro Destructo.
12:37 PM And can’t leave out Beautiful Music 2. Luck-One is one of my favorite MC’s period!
12:40 PM Service Without A Smile from Terminill and King of the Neighborhood Serge Severe haha
12:41 PM me: All great choices. If you could put together an emcee/producer combo that has not worked together in the past to put out a project. What emcee and producer would you pick and why?
12:43 PM Klyph: Interesting you should ask that. There are currently some things in the works.
12:45 PM me: Do tell…
12:47 PM Klyph: I think L Pro needs to rhyme over a Tony Ozier production. L Pro has that classic east coast flow that I came up on and I think hearing him over a doo doo funk infused track would be classic.
12:48 PM me: Is that a ball that is already in motion?
12:51 PM Klyph: That’s a connect I’m hoping to make. Can’t give details on the project I’m working on just yet. But know this, we are about to take this Northwest movement to a whole-notha-level! haha
12:52 PM me: Swag
I know you get out to a lot of events. Whats the craziest thing you’ve seen at a NW event?
12:55 PM Klyph: Maseo macking on this dude’s girl at The Fix farewell event probably. I kinda felt bad for dude.
12:57 PM me: Poor guy. Didn’t have a chance. So I should probably not take my wife to events Maseo will be at?
12:58 PM Klyph: That’s probably a wise choice, haha.
me: Or should Portland just agree to not bring him back to Portland? And save all of our girls. haha
12:59 PM Klyph: Oh no, never that! De La for life! Haha
You know what was crazy to see?
me: What?
1:00 PM Klyph: Oldominon, the whole crew on stage together.
me: Still mad I missed that. I was trying to make it up to Paid Dues.
1:01 PM Klyph: No doubt. Crazy that the northwest has two super groups in Oldominion and Sandpeople.
It’s been a blessing to have members of both groups in the Neighborhood too.
1:02 PM me: That’s whats up. We have Grayskul performing at our day party in Seattle next week. Any chance of you making the trip?
1:04 PM Klyph: Word!? That’s a trip worth making for real!
me: Definitely! Who do you have on the show this week?
1:06 PM Klyph: Man, one not to miss for sure. Calvin Valentine will be in the Neighborhood this week. He’s got a grip of music out already this year.
1:07 PM me: YEZZIR! We’re stoked about releasing the Green Team Project on the site.
He hasn’t even let me listen yet. I think he’s waiting for me to hear it on your show.
1:08 PM Klyph: No doubt! Y’all have done such a great job promoting these local cats.
1:09 PM me: Like wise man. Any final thoughts?
1:23 PM Klyph: Yeah man, just real excited for what’s coming.
Fresh Selects back next week, Dizz is coming through. Stewart Villain will be in the Neighborhood too this month.
1:24 PM It’s a blessing to be able to help cats get their music out there.
1:25 PM Appreciate the love from WOHM. Looking forward to having y’all back in the Neighborhood soon!
1:26 PM me: We are down man! Thanks again for the time.
1:27 PM Klyph: For Sure. Blessings!