DJ Baby Yu

Written by SAMANTHA WONG  

January 2008

Demanded internationally, DJ Baby Yu is one of Canada’s most experienced, well respected and highly connected DJ’s. Beginning at the age of 12, he was fixated on collecting a wide range of music from Michael Jackson to Bell Biv Devoe. Today, Baby Yu is a staple in the entertainment industry world-wide. Determined and passionate, he consistently delivers and works along side chief industry leaders such as Shaquille O’Neil, Allen Iverson, Will Smith, Ludacris, Nas, Jay-Z, Rihanna, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more!

Layered with many talents, DJ Baby Yu is a prominent international DJ, an exclusive radio show host, and on the come up producer. Over the years of his career, Baby Yu has been at the top of the nightclub scene in Toronto while holding down his syndicated radio shows around the globe: ? XM Satellite Radio: Metro Mix on THE CITY XM 67, Sirius Satellite Radio: Violator All-Star DJs Uncut Radio on Hip-Hop Nation Channel 40, Sirius Satellite Radio: League Crew Radio on Hip-Hop Nation Channel 40, Globe Radio: Remix Radio On-Line Syndication Making himself accessible to the masses, Baby Yu also maintains a successful podcast site which has 5000 downloads per month to date.

When he is not moving crowds in Toronto’s hottest night spots, he’s on the road extensively with his MC, RG, through the United States, Europe and Asia. DJ Baby Yu’s talents do not go un-recognized; in 2005 he was recruited to be the newest member of the Violator All-Star DJ’s: a dedicated and talented team started by Violator Management President Chris Lighty. In 2003, Baby Yu took home the Canadian Urban Pool Award for “Flavor Pool DJ of the Year” and recently at the 2007 Stylus DJ Awards he was awarded “Toronto DJ of the Year” and “Club DJ of the Year in Canada”. These winnings are added to his other achievements including nominee for “Rookie of the Year” (2004) and “Best Canadian Mixtape DJ” (2006) for the internationally renowned Justo Mixtape Awards.

With a compelling fan base in the global music scene, Baby Yu definitely exemplifies a man that can ‘do it all’! He goes on to state: “I do what I do for the love of music, also for the love of influencing others in the right direction by having a great time at a party. Being a vital part of those enjoying great mixes and music through their ipod’s, radio, internet and so on, pushes me to continually achieve creative greatness…I believe I can make a difference”. Whatever the media outlet may be, Baby Yu will continue to make highly notable impressions that are unforgettable.

Why did you start Djing? I know most DJ’s it was mainly for the love of music, but either than the obvious, what makes you wake up every day wanting to do what you do?

I remember going to many parties when I was younger.  Most part,  having a great time with my good friends, and sometimes a so-so to a horrible time.  The bad times usually consisted of immature fights, but sometimes it was because of the music played by the DJ.  The worst thing that can happen other than bad fights after a party is walking out of a club or wherever the venue was drunk or buzzed, and wishing you got your money back because of how bad the music was.  Walking out with such negativity  might be a small deal to some, especially considering it’s only a party, but it can possibly affect the mood swings of a person affecting their judgment.  It’s just like the saying “Just a smile can make a difference in a strangers life”, you know PAY IT FORWARD.  Anyways, I also noticed how I influenced my younger brother growing up.  From similar haircuts, to the clothes I wore, and even if my room was messy his was too.  It gave me the understanding of the power someone can have to influence one another.  So in a nutshell I believe by entertaining people especially after a hard days work whether it’s in a club, on their ipod, or radio, I can influence them in a positive way, and that’s always a good thing.  The more well known I get, the more people I can reach out to, that’s how I see it, and that’s what makes me wake up every day wanting to do what I love to do. 

With huge accomplishments in 2007, what do you look to do in 2008 to make it even better?

Whatever I accomplished til 2007, I wanna do it in a bigger scale in 2008.  Tour new markets, work with different artists from other genres of music, and the list goes on.  But mainly I want to do it big in the production side.  It’s hard to fit in time to do everything, but I really need to make this happen to become closer to my true goal.  Other than that, I’m moving to the US (which is obviously the mecca of entertainment) and try and tackle it over there. 

You started off your career here in Toronto, Canada and I have heard that you are moving to Atlanta in the near future. Why the move?

Honestly, I don’t know how much more I can grow here, not to say I’ve accomplished everything possible.  I’ve toured with major artists across Canada like with The Game, Snoop Dogg, Juelz Santana, & Sean Paul, had my own DJ tours in every province other than the Territories,  opened for major concert acts like for Nas, Pharrell, Kanye West, 112, & Fabolous, DJ’d  after parties featuring Jay-Z, Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas & Usher, worked at 2 radio stations Flow 93.5FM & Kiss 92.5FM, did mixtapes with Jermaine Dupri, Ciara, Lupe Fiasco, etc,  awarded at the Stylus Awards & The Flavor Pool Awards, and even held down 4 residencies in Toronto at one point.  At this point I feel like I’m getting older faster than maturing in the Urban Market globally, so this is why I’m planning to move.

Where have you travelled lately and what is the one thing that you can think of that stays consistant when it comes to club goers across the globe?

I just got back from Atlanta, and the one thing that never fails is the BE FAITHFUL party record featuring Fat Man Scoop. LOL.  No but on the real, at the end of the day everyone is going to the club to have a good time, whether it’s to booze it out or get some phone numbers it’s all the same anywhere.  And as long as there’s hot familiar beats, everything is gravy!

I am a firm believer that to be a good DJ you have to be able to entertain any crowd, and any genre. You play a variety of music and are known as the “Remix Kid”, so tell me how you are different than any other DJ out there… why is Baby Yu different?

To be hired to DJ locally or to be flown first class across the country, I always felt thankful for it and want to prove that I’m worth every penny.  To entertain I believe one has to be as creative and original as possible.  My style was to remix since I started DJing.  But I think anyone can just DJ or even do simple remixes.  But to be different, I always try to take it to the next level by doing it faster, or even remixing tracks that you never thought could be done.  Some people dig it and some don’t.  Later realized I can’t satisfy everyone, but as long as I have my core friends that support I’m good!

Some memorable things happened in 2007 in the entertainment industry. What is one thing that you remember that affected you directly and why?

Definitely when DJ Drama got arrested for the mixtapes he sold.  That almost killed the mixtape industry everywhere.  I had to stop making it at one point, because it couldn’t be sold anywhere.  I think I did only 2 mixtapes in 2007 because of it. 

I remember in the late summer when Kanye and 50 were going head to head with their album releases, and the DJ at every club would play both singles and the crowd would react to their favourite. As a DJ how much do outside media affect what you play either than the billboard charts?

I think the outside media does a lot to help artists to get to where they wanna go.  As long as you have the media’s attention, you are bound to do well with record sales.  Eminem did well by staying in the news with the issues with his kid, wife and mom, 50 Cent was shot 1000 times, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, well those issues are obvious, Jay-Z and the Nas battle, Kanye West and his rants at award shows and Katrina tributes, I mean the list goes on.  It all goes down to a combination of factors to be successful in the music and entertainment gig, and media is a definite attribute to this factor.

Since you travel around the world every year you get to see and experience different cultures; is there a place that you have travelled that has been a total culture shock to you? (music, standard of living, food, anything!)

To tell you the truth I’ve never been culture shocked at all in any city so far.  Maybe living in a multicultural place like Toronto helped.  But I can tell you my MC, RG, he was shocked when we first DJ’d in Hong Kong years ago.  From small rooms to bright lights and so many asians in one area, I think freaked him out LOL.  I’m hoping to be shocked one day.  Maybe when and if I DJ in Russia or South Africa I can answer this question more in depth.

We all know that technology and the internet is changing the whole music scene. Obviously Serato is a huge change in a DJ’s career, but either than that what vital change happened during your career?

One thing I can say with new technology, I went from using a 4 track tape recorder to Protools on my Mac Desktop to record mixtapes… mini disk players to mp3 recorders to record interviews.  As a whole everything became smaller, simpler and more effective.  I wouldn’t even want to know how DJ Red Alert did it in his days. 

What do you have upcoming in the next quarter?

Well I’m in Chicago and Houston this weekend. I am very excited to DJ in Chicago for the first time and touring across Canada again the week after.  It’s been 1 year since I’ve been back to the west coast of Canada so I’m stoked. I head to Mexico in March and back to Asia in April. I am also trying to release some mixtapes during this time.

Anyone you would like to take the time to shout out? (i would suggest along with names… putting the company name, especially the states)

All my peoples from the Substance group, Violator, the League Crew, XM satellite radio and everyone that supports me! Thank you!