DJ K

DJ K

DJ K is a Canadian ragga jungle, jungle and drum and bass producer and DJ, identified as Andrew Matsubara. He is based in Ottawa and has been active since 1999, working in breakbeat-driven club music with a sound associated with dark basslines, heavy amens and high-energy sets.

Career

DJ K begins by playing in Ottawa, where his early residencies lead to regular out-of-town bookings and a sponsorship deal with the local clothing company norml. He builds a profile in North American ragga jungle, a movement he helps shape during the early 2000s and which is described as pushing drum and bass towards a darker, grittier direction.

In 2001, he releases Championz on N2O Records in Los Angeles, a record described as an early anthem for the style. He later releases further records under the DJ K name, including Big Cat 9, which reaches the Breakbeat Science top 10 sellers list.

KILLA Records and releases

DJ K forms KILLA Records in 2003. The label issues two releases featuring the amen-heavy, bass-led style associated with his productions. He remains closely linked with the label, which is also listed among his labels.

Mixes and sets

He is also known for promotional DJ mixes, which he develops around different concepts and distributes widely. More than 50 mixes are associated with his name. In performance, he plays exclusive dubplates from unsigned artists alongside established names, and his releases and dubplates circulate in underground jungle scenes across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Style

DJ K works in jungle and drum and bass breakbeat music, with ragga jungle as a central reference point. His productions are marked by dark basslines and signature amens, and his live sets are described as energetic and distinctive.

Other artist with the same name

Another artist using the name DJ K is associated with São Paulo and Baile do Helipa, but the DJ K identified as Andrew Matsubara is the Canadian producer and label founder described here.