By Brad Warrington aka DJ Sticky Fingaz
Photo: Brad Warrington
Hip hop saved my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is my reality. This month, we celebrate 50 years of hip hop by honouring the elements and supporting the community that birthed the culture - a culture I have participated in for well over 30 years; firstly as a fan, then as a DJ, promoter, beat maker and educator.
My life could have been very different. In the late 90s I was taking risks that had only negative outcomes, leading me to be convicted of drug dealing in 2001. At the crossroads, I turned to one of the positive aspects in my life at the time - DJing/turntablism and hip hop culture. Immersing myself in the artform enabled me to move on the life I'd slipped into. It wasn't long before I found my feet, competing in DJ battles such as DMC, ITF and winning RDU's decknology DJ comp in 2003.
My commitment to the culture has enabled me to share the stage with some of the greats in hip hop, from De la Soul, Jurassic5, Blackalicious, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Guru (Gangtarr), Dilated People, Bone Thugs and Pharoahe Monch, to DJs including Roc Raida, A-Trak, Babu, Shortcut, The Scratch Perverts, DJ Krush and many more.
To celebrate hip hop's anniversary I've put together a 50 for 50 playlist. These are the most important songs in my journey with the culture. I hope you enjoy them!