Killajewel

DJ KillaJewel

From the moment I could grasp a pencil or reach
for the piano keys, I’ve always had an intimate
relationship with art and music. I think that the
tantrums I suffered during those first few years of piano
lessons really paid off. Eleven years later at eighteen
years old, the turntables temporarily replaced the
piano and became a staple in my life.




The name Killa-Jewel really just popped into my head. Killa-Jewel derives from Kilo-Joule (a measurement of energy), Julie is my given name. Killa is dope because it’s good for battling.

I owe a lot to my life before turntablism, but most of what people know me for is what came about when I discovered hip-hop in 1998. I regret not paying attention before but I think I was just young and unaware. Suffice to say that I’ve tried to make up for all those years since. I owe a lot to the art form.

So, who is Killa-Jewel? Schizophrenic is a good metaphor for the hybrid I think I have created for myself. One of my strongest qualities is the ability to adapt well to any given situation. I am a battle DJ/turntablist. I am a classical pianist. I have composed “turntable” music for theatre, scored music for television and film, act, sing and drum. I play clubs, and also rock it with different kinds of bands from hip-hop to rock, pop and jazz. I have recently begun focussing on my own musical production, with the same passion and intensity that drove me to start scratching. I love the abstract. Hopefully I will be able to combine all of these separate entities and interests into something sonically concrete.

Do what you feel, or don’t do it at all.

Peace.