KID CAPRI: NO KID'N

By Lisa Dumas
Co-Editor

A hip-hop icon, Kid Capri has been in the business for over two decades and is one of the most legendary DJ's around.

What's the secret to his success? His love for hip-hop.

"I have love for what I do because I'm a fan of the music. I grew up with it. When I became four years old I started playing on a professional drum set. And I try to strategize everything I do. That's why I been around so long."

Kid Capri has been there from the beginning. A native of the South Bronx, he started DJing in the early 70's, back when people said hip-hop was a "phase" and a "fad." And he says one of the biggest changes he's seen in the evolution of hip-hop is the general population's attitude toward it.

"They said that hip-hop wouldn't last. I'm thankful I was able to be there and see it and be a part of it."

He's also grateful for his fans. He says, without them, he would not be where he is today--an established DJ who is also on the path to becoming an established businessman. With a new record label, Kid Capri is currently working on projects with four different artists at No Kid'N Records as well as his own clothing line called Rogish. A DVD and video game are also in the works.

Yet, despite his major success in the hip-hop world--or maybe because of it--he says it's important to stay grounded.

"I know that, all this sh*t, it could be taken from you at any time. I stay grounded by knowing that people don't have to give a sh*t about you," he said. "My real name is David Love, and I know the difference between David Love and Kid Capri. This is a business, and it could be taken away from you if you don't appreciate it."

That's why, to this day, unlike some other DJ's who shall remain nameless, Kid Capri always gives 110 percent at every party, function, or event where he performs.

"It's different for a cat that's been there for as long as I have and has real love for the music. I'm dancing and smiling along with the music, and I work hard. When I leave a show at the end of the night, people are saying, 'I never had a time like that in my life.'"

But he's still on the road to recognition with what he says is "a name that's bigger than his face." He says there are still people out there who have no idea what he looks like, probably because DJ's are not always put in the same class as other hip-hop artists.

"If we don't play records they don't get heard. That's always been my beef," he said. "We don't get any Source awards, any MTV awards…they don't acknowledge the DJ sh*t. It's a different art form. It's part of hip-hop. We helped start hip-hop."

He says he's most recognized from his eight-year stint on Def Comedy Jam, and hopefully everyone from the show will reunite one day.

"There might be a Def Comedy Jam reunion. I think it would be a good thing for them to do. It was a big, big thing. I didn't expect it to be as big as it was. They should bring it back."

However, while the fate of bringing the Def Comedy Jam cast back together is uncertain, Kid Capri definitely has plans of his own for the future.

"I want a platinum album. No, not just a platinum album, a multi-platinum album. I've already done everything I could do as a DJ. I need to make that other move. I need my label to be successful. If that could happen, I would be a very happy man. I've been in the business a very long time. I think I deserve it."

Want MORE Kid Capri info?

DJ Kid Capri's Official Site

Want MORE DJ info?

Green Lantern
Dexterity
DJ Khaled