DJ REN
DJ / Beatmaker / Producer
Based in Tokyo, Japan
HipHop / R&B / Reggae / Trap / Base etc.
A DJ renowned for his playing style that incorporates gimmicks such as scratching, using two records, and beat juggling, he bases his music selection on the wealth of knowledge he has gained as a former buyer at a record shop in Udagawacho, Shibuya.
He has opened for numerous international artists on their Japan tours and performances, including The Beat Junkies, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Beatnuts, KENNY DOPE, DJ Spinna, Madlib, 9th Wonder, DJ Scratch (EPMD), DJ Spinbad, AG, Diamond D, DJ EVIL DEE, and JeruThe Damaja, and has gained the support of many listeners with his solid skills and song selection at every venue.
He is currently a regular DJ for CELAVI and VOYAGER in Shibuya, and has also appeared in the TV commercial for Red Bull BC One 2016 World Final, appeared on radio stations such as J-Wave 81.3 FM RADIO’s “Hello World,” InterFM’s “TOKYO SCENE,” USEN C-44’s “Manhattan Records HIP HOP + R&B,” and internet radio station “block FM,” as well as guest appearances at leading clubs both in Japan and abroad, X GAMES, festivals, and parties hosted by BMW and MARC JACOBS, among others, performing at over 150 venues a year.
Furthermore, in terms of DJ competitions, he was crowned the 2014 Japanese champion at the Red Bull sponsored DJ tournament “RED BULL Thre3Style,” and also won the scratch battle “VESTAX NO TRICKS SCRATCH DJ BATTLE” sponsored by equipment manufacturer VESTAX in 2010. As an artist who possesses both the skills of a club DJ and a battle DJ, he has garnered solid support from a wide range of audiences.
He is highly regarded not only as a DJ but also as a producer. He was involved in the development of PioneerDJ’s battle DJ mixer, the DJM-S9, which was released in October 2015, from the design stage onwards, and the actual unit is now used by legendary DJs around the world. He also receives many offers to produce club events and stores, and to teach at DJ schools, and his multifaceted activities have been a hot topic in the industry.
In recent years, he has also begun composing music. Although he is self-taught, his musical sense has been highly praised, and he has worked on commercials and promotional videos for major companies, as well as music for popular young artists such as CYBER RUI and 18scott, and the dance team “SEGA SAMMY LUX” that appears in D.League.
渋谷宇田川町にあるレコードショップの元バイヤーならではの豊富な知識から生まれる選曲を主軸に、スクラッチ、2枚使い、ビートジャグリングなどのギミックを、普段のDJプレイに心地良く織り交ぜるプレイスタイルに定評がある。
これまでThe Beat JunkiesやDJ Jazzy Jeff、Beatnuts、KENNY DOPE、DJ Spinna、Madlib、9th Wonder、DJ Scratch(EPMD)、DJ Spinbad、AG、Diamond D、DJ EVIL DEE、JeruThe Damajaといった数多くの海外アーティストのジャパンツアー、日本公演の前座を果たし、どの現場でもその確かなスキルと選曲で多くのリスナーの支持を得ている。
また、現在はCELAVI、VOYAGERなどにレギュラーDJとして参加するほか、RedBull BC One 2016 World FinalのテレビCM出演、J-Wave 81.3 FM RADIO『Hello World』や、InterFM『TOKYO SCENE』、USEN C-44『Manhattan Records HIP HOP ＋ R&B』、インターネットラジオ『block FM』などラジオ媒体への出演、国内外有数のクラブへのゲスト出演、X GAMES、フェス、BMWやMARC JACOBSなどが開催するパーティーなど、年間150本以上の現場をこなしている。
さらにDJコンペティションにおいては、RedBull主催のDJ大会『RED BULL Thre3Style』の2014年度日本チャンプに輝き、機材メーカーVESTAX主催のスクラッチバトル『VESTAX NO TRICKS SCRATCH DJ BATTLE』においても2010年に優勝するなど、クラブDJとバトルDJの両面を持ち合わせるアーティストとして幅広いオーディエンスから確固たる支持を集めている。
DJのみならず、プロデューサーとしての評価も高い。2015年10月に発表されたPioneerDJのバトルDJミキサー『DJM-S9』の開発においては、設計段階から携わり、その実機は今や世界中のレジェンド・クラスのDJ達が愛用するほどになっている。他にも、クラブイベントや店舗プロデュース、DJスクール講師としてのオファーも多く、そのマルチな活躍は業界内でも話題となっている。
近年では、楽曲制作も開始。独学ながらその楽曲センスが評価され、大手企業のCMやPR動画のサウンドをはじめ、CYBER RUIや18scottなど若手人気アーティストや、D.Leagueに出演するダンスチーム『SEGA SAMMY LUX』の楽曲も手掛ける。