DJ Baby Yu is one of Canada’s greatest DJ’s of all time and will soon be venturing full-time into the U.S. market with 3 new nightclub residencies, including a brand new radio show in addition to his continued satellite shows. the3XGP.com had a chance to catch up with the Remix Kid as he prepares to take his career to the next level.
Nas with DJ Baby Yu
RFC: You will soon be making the move from Toronto to Atlanta. Explain why the move to a new market and what the ATL music scene has to offer that the T-Dot has yet to develop.
DJ Baby Yu: The entertainment scene in general is way bigger in the U.S. obviously, and I felt that I was getting older faster than what I wanted to accomplish, so I took the dive. Other than that, artists are so much easier to get in touch with over in Atlanta. If they don’t live there already, they seem to find themselves there. Makes it easier for me to get in touch with them to do mixtapes, radio interviews and for production. At the end of the day, the Hip Hop culture was founded in the U.S., and that’s where I like to expand my career.
RFC: You have been DJing for quite a long time now. At any point did you ever have a part time job in between gigs like at the Foot Locker or McDonalds?
DJ Baby Yu: The only job I ever had was at a skating rink as a skate patrol during my last year in high school. You know during recreational skating, where they wear the bright yellow jackets screaming “No TAG on the ice!!!!” yeah that was me!
Rick Ross with DJ Baby Yu
RFC: Do you think it’s important for DJ’s to be on top of their game, have the ability to read crowds, to break new music and provide a vast variety of musical knowledge in their sets while showcasing their talents?
DJ Baby Yu: Yes of course! That divides the good from the bad.
RFC: You have had some impressive artists guest host your mixtapes. Of all your mixtapes that you have put together, which one would you rank as your favorite?
DJ Baby Yu: The West Side Story Mixtape Hosted By The Game. He’s a great guy on and off stage, and had lot’s of fun touring across Canada with him. I had a lot of fun putting that mixtape together.
DJ Baby Yu with Jermaine Dupri
RFC: Lil’ Wayne recently cleared a million plus copies of Tha Carter III. What was your initial reaction when you heard about the Foundation magazine interview when he addressed all mixtape DJ’s to go fuck themselves?
DJ Baby Yu: I think he was pissed that most of his stuff was being leaked I guess. Considering this day in age where no one buys LP’s anymore, he was probably afraid that it would affect sales. He’s a BIG ZERO without all these mixtape DJ’s. Nothing more to explain.
RFC: You have got to travel all over the world and you have seen many places. What was the best club that you have ever played at? What was the most memorable crowd you that have ever played in front of?
DJ Baby Yu: The best club must of been in Bangkok, Thailand at this place called Bed Supper Club. Entire club is white with black lights and king size beds all around the club. Getting a massage while you get your drink on with great food, you can’t beat that!. The most memorable crowd out of town must of been in Oslo, Norway. RG and I killed it and was surprised with their music knowledge! From New Jack to 90′s Hip Hop they were singing word for word.
DJ Baby Yu with Cassie
RFC: Name one song that will always get the crowd moving at parties. And name one song that you can’t stand playing but always get requests for.
DJ Baby Yu: I think Poison by Bell Biv Devoe is Universal, other than that Jay-Z, “I Just Wanna Love You” and 50 Cent, “In Da Club” never fails. There’s not a song right now where I can’t stand playing, but I’ve retired Usher – “Yeah”.
RFC: Would you agree that the club MC is an instrumental factor in the success of a party? How much credit do you give your club MC for maintaining the energy and flow of the party?
DJ Baby Yu: It’s very important! Most DJ’s know how to rock a crowd while they DJ. That’s how it usually works, but since I’m so keen and technical on what I do with remixing, it’s almost impossible to do both. Having a great MC will make that party 10x better! Luckily I have RG who is a great party MC.
DJ Baby Yu & RG
RFC: You have rocked tons of shows over the years. Has there even been a night where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong? Any bad travel stories or shady promoter stories that come to mind?
DJ Baby Yu: I guess I’ve been lucky cuz I don’t remember anything serious. Luckily having a great manager and assistant, I’ve never encountered any problems with any shady promoters. Other than that, people have walked over power cords to take out all the power in a club by accident. lol.
RFC: In the past few years DJ’s have made the transition from carrying record crates to carrying laptops and hard drives. How much has Serato Scratch Live changed your DJ life?
DJ Baby Yu: No more heavy lifting has saved my back that’s for sure. Other than that, it made me a better DJ overall. Serato can make anyone a DJ, but made DJ’s like me an even better DJ!
DJ Baby Yu with Busta Rhymes
RFC: Who are Baby Yu’s Top 3 MC’s of all time?
DJ Baby Yu: Biggie, Jay and Nas of course.
RFC: Who are Baby Yu’s Top 3 R&B artists of all time?
DJ Baby Yu: Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Bell Biv Devoe
Jim Jones with DJ Baby Yu
RFC: Who are Baby Yu’s Top 3 DJ’s of all time?
DJ Baby Yu: Jazzy Jeff, Clinton Sparks, AM
RFC: Name some of your favorite websites you like to hit up.
DJ Baby Yu: the3xgp.com
DJ Baby Yu with DJ Jazzy Jeff
RFC: What changes would you like to see in the music business or the nightclub business that would be beneficial to all DJ’s across the board?
DJ Baby Yu: The one thing that bothers me is that nightclub owners sometimes forget how important it is to create a good DJ booth for the club. That’s all I have to say not to mention any clubs!!!
RFC: How important is it for DJ’s to promote, market, network and brand themselves as valuable entities in the music industry? How can one DJ get to the level of national recognition?
DJ Baby Yu: It’s probably the most important thing to becoming a successful DJ. If you got your business side on point, it don’t really matter how good you are as a DJ. To help get national recognition, take advantage of the Internet and promote your podcasts, mixtapes etc. Ideas are endless, but luck and being at the right place and right time is important too.
Young Jeezy with DJ Baby Yu
RFC: You have built quite an impressive resume and following. Is there one defining moment in your career that stands out or are you still in search of that illusive one?
DJ Baby Yu: I mean theres always something bigger happening in my career every year, but I’m still not satisfied. So I guess I’m still searching for that ‘ONE’!
RFC: As you embark in a new chapter with your relocating to the United States, do you feel you have yet to touch the surface of accomplishing your goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
DJ Baby Yu: My goals are endless. And what I mean by that, DJing around the world, touring with artists, producing for artists, syndicated radio shows, acting, clothing line, mixtape collaborations, and it goes on forever. In 5 years I say I would be doing all of the above !!
The Clipse with DJ Baby Yu
RFC: What started off as a love for music has turned into a full time job. Any advice you would like to pass on to anyone out there who is considering a career in the DJ business?
DJ Baby Yu: You answered it for me with the question. Start it off for the love of the music and take it from there. Use other successful people as an example and make it your own, and don’t try and become a carbon copy. It takes a lot of work, luck, patience and help from others to become successful.
RFC: Best of luck in all of your future endeavors. Any shout outs or plugs you would like to mention?
DJ Baby Yu: Thanks to the3xgp.com, The Substance Group, Foundation Creative Group, Violator, The League Crew, Ciroc Vodka, XM Radio, Mediaphase and all the supporters around the world. babyyu.com, babyyumixtapes.com, babyyu.com/podcast and myspace.com/babyyu HOLLA at me!!
DJ Baby Yu with Rick From Chicago, owner of THE3XGP.COM
Footage of DJ Baby Yu winning the 2008 Stylus DJ Mixtape Of The Year award and mentioning The 3XGP in his award speech at the 3:11 mark.
Footage of DJ Baby Yu’s Bye Bye Party @ This Is London in Toronto, June 23, 2008. The legendary DJ Starting From Scratch said a few words while Canadian comedian extroadinaire, Russell Peters gave Baby Yu some words of advice regarding his move to Atlanta.