DJ KTone: Middle of the Road

You can’t talk about the Denver hip-hop scene without mentioning DJ KTone. For the past 10 years, Tona has been the go-to DJ in the city, and with just cause. While people outside the Midwest may sometimes take the region for granted, the Core DJ affiliate, record breaker and turntabilist is here to set the record straight. – jacinta howard

What’s the scene like in Denver?
It’s like a gumbo pot. You got some artists who [are] really influenced by East Coast music … and you got artists influenced by Bay Area music. I wouldn’t say that Denver has a defined sound like other cities.

Do you think that hurts the scene?
Yeah, kind of, because we don’t have our own straight identity. But we got good music.

What’s your go-to record to get the party started?
Gucci Mane[’s] ‘Go Head.’ I don’t care where I’m at, if I’m stuck, and played something out the ordinary, that song gets it back on track.

What’s your favorite city to play besides Denver?
Kansas City. When I first started deejaying I started in Missouri, so I deejay there once a month. They show so much love. People would think I’m from there when I’m out there. That’s like my second home.

Name two next to break artists:
1. Rocky from Denver.
2. Innerstate Ike.

What are your thoughts on pay for play?
I feel two ways. I feel like some artists need to do that. They might not have a marketable record, and if you want to get it played that bad[ly], you need to do that. But on the back end, if you’re really a good artist, you shouldn’t have to pay a DJ. But if the DJ is really working for you, then yeah, it’s cool to pay him. We gotta eat too.

Follow DJ KTone on Twitter at Twitter/djktone. Tune in to ustream.tv/channel/turf-time-with-tona.com Tuesday and Thursday 1 p.m. MST; and every Monday at wethewest.com to see him live.