DJ $crilla
Cleveland, Ohio, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2001
Music
Press
Clarksville's annual event Rivers & Spires was swamped with APSU students, fraternities and sororities Thur., April 17. They were anxiously awaiting the headliner DJ $crilla. It was not just his mad rap skills or intense, intimate performance that brought this crowd together for this amazing artist. This crowd was brought together for their school spirit.
For those who don't know, DJ $crilla recently wrote the song "APSU Fight Rap," and since Thur., April 17it has been a hit across campus.
Chris Harris, aka DJ $crilla, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio has taken college campuses by storm with his raps relating to college life.
"I'm really into performing arts," Harris said. He actually auditioned for a part in "Antowne Fisher." Harris said he auditioned the script one on one with Denzel Washington.
Naturally, aside from theatre, music falls into that category. The interesting thing is that Harris did not go into college wanting to be a musician. "I fell into music by accident," Harris said. It was not until his freshman year in college that DJ $crilla was established. It is something that he was born to do.
With roots that reside in Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Tupac and Jay Z, Harris writes about everything. Whether it is having good times with friends or just being broke, Harris is always making music."It's a fun positive way for people to relate," Harris said. He comes from a diverse musical background listening to everything including hip-hop, R&B, '80s and old rock. He likes it all.
DJ $crilla definitely clicks with the college crowd. As a graduate of Kent State University, Harris sits with a degree in Electronic Media.
CLICK LINK TO READ FULL ARTICLE
http://media.www.theallstate.com/media/storage/paper801/news/2008/04/23/News/Dj.crilla.Rocks.govennas.At.Rivers.Spires-3341235.shtml - The All State
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/dxnext/id.88/title.dj-scrilla
November 7th, 2008
Author: Quinton Hatfield
These days, producers start rapping, and emcees try making their own beats. In the tradition of Tony Touch and Doo Wop, rarely but surely, a deejay steps over the tables directly to the microphone. Cleveland Ohio's DJ Scrilla.
Scrilla know what’s really good and has the upmost respect for midwestern veterans Twista and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Even inspired by their fast-rapping style, Scrilla is here to show that’s the midwest swag. With album Me, Myself, and I releasing independently, this emcee, who performs regularly, opening for 8Ball & MJG, Lloyd and others.
Cleveland's Role In The Midwest: "Cleveland’s got a lot of talent. Cleveland is like that diamond in the rough with so much talent that has yet to be seen. I’m trying to represent for my city and put Cleveland back on the map. Chicago is a much bigger city than Cleveland, so I feel like that’s gonna get much more recognition basically. As far as Cleveland, we're like any other city that’s out grinding. On the business tip, we're doing it."
Acknowledging Pioneers In The Movement: "Bone [Thugs-N-Harmony] [click to read] really put Cleveland on the map, they had big records and put Cleveland out there. It was nice, because we resurfaced when Ray Cash [click to read] dropped and it was a good thing. Then came along cats like Chip Tha Ripper, Fat Al, it looks pretty good for the future of what Cleveland will bring."
How Artist/Producers Differ From Deejay/Artists: "I feel by being a deejay, I’m able to take it to the next level by being an artist. I pay a lot of tension to things in detail by being a deejay. Such things include sounds of an instrument, how a song is composed. It’s just the little things I learned as a deejay that I can bring into the artist perspective so it’s like the best of both worlds."
How Those Grinds Vary: "I think as an artist it all about having to prove yourself and going through the obstacles. As an artist, financially, the grind is a little bit harder and you just have to sell yourself. You have to get people to give you their time."
What Made Scrilla Go From Deejay To Rapper: "[Laughs], it’s kind of funny because really I was just interesting in just being a deejay. When I used to get into ciphers with my friends growing up, they was like 'That’s cool, but you should work on your skills.' Next thing you know I was a full-fledged artist and put the deejaying on the side. When I started deejaying, it really wasn’t to gain any fame or popularity. I was just really enjoying music, the art, the craft, all the technical aspects that went into deejaying. I kind of took that into the same level when I wanted to become an artist."
The Fast-Rapping: "Yeah I think it is a midwest thing and that’s something I was brought up on with Bone and Twista [click to read]. Those are guys that really repped the midwest with that dope speed delivery. It was a style that I wanted to perfect and really work on. I really feel that’s a part of the midwest and our culture, so you’ll definitely hear that on the album."
Does Me, Myself, & I Tell The Story of Personal Life: "I call the album Me, Myself, and I because there weren’t a lot of features and I wanted to give people all the aspects of me. It’s about my life and what I hope to go through in the future. 'She Wines' [Laughs], the whole story isn’t true, but I took two parts of the real story and put it too together. Some of the lines aren’t true, but for the most part yeah, it’s based on true stuff."
The Album Response: "I put Me, Myself, and I out a couple months ago and the response been great. It’s really blowing my mind, because everybody has their own favorite song. I get text messages when people tell me their top three and another give me their top three. It’s something out there for everybody. It’s been a progressing experience so I’m blessed and thankful."
The Origin Of The Name DJ Scrilla: "Well I always thought a deejay had to have a name that was creative and catchy. Scrilla just kind of rolled of the tongue and it just flowed. It just stuck with me as people called me 'Scrilla, Scrill' and it just started a life of it’s own. [Laughs]"
Major Versus Independent For The Future: "You know what? I’m a just go with the flow; I’m not gonna say I’m opposed to going with a major. I like being independent, but hey, if the right stuff comes on the table, then we can talk. As far as right now, I’m just really concerned to put out good music. Hip Hop is back on the rise with the stuff we're putting out so I want to be a part of that." - HipHop DX
Chris Harris, AKA DJ $crilla, is rippin' it up with LeBron James in Cleveland. Ok, maybe not alongside King James, but this dude bangs out hits that are most definitely worth a good listen. He started at the tender age of 15, so he has been in the game for a while with a diverse appreciation for music that shows in his own. Check out "Soul Clap" below, and for sure, clap along!
CLICK LINK TO READ FULL ARTICLE
http://www.urb.com/promotions/next1000/profiles/1184-DJ+$crilla.php - URB Magazine
Although DJ $crilla released his debut album, Me, Myself, And I, on August 27, 2008, it wasn’t until more than four months later that the Booth first got a taste of his work. While the Underground Chart-topping So Digital was clearly aimed at the radio, its follow-up couldn’t be more different. Asking listeners to just Listen 2 The Flow, the Cleveland native steps up his lyrical game, dropping a few Biggie references on the first verse (starting with an homage to the first verse of Dead Wrong), and proceeding to serve up some sharp wordplay. Produced by The Inflow, Listen 2 The Flow will impress a completely different audience than So Digital, but that’s just a testament to $crilla’s versatility as an emcee.
Check out what the people had to say about it: http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/dj-crilla-listen-2-the-flow/
- DJBooth.net
Over the last few years, several DJs have released albums and singles in their names, from Khaled to Drama to Felli Fel to Laz to Revolution. Cleveland’s DJ $crilla, however, stands out from the rest of them in a certain way: on his debut album, Me, Myself, and I (which dropped this past August), he actually – prepare to be shocked – rapped most of the verses. On his new single, So Digital, $crilla milks the title for all it’s worth, going from how high-tech his stuntin’ is to how fine the women are that he “downloads.” As tired as some may get of such boasting, Team Green backs up the talk with some oh-So Digital production. So, now that you’ve heard a DJ rap, do you think more of them should try it?
Check out what people had to say about DJ $crilla's "So Digital" - http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/dj-scrilla-so-digital/
- DJ Z
The Top Underground Hip-Hop chart consists of the ten highest-rated Hip-Hop songs currently inside the DJBooth whose artists are currently unsigned or operate independently. Member feedback and “plays” help to determine the overall order of the songs. The Top Underground Hip-Hop chart is updated every Monday morning.
Underground Hip Hop Chart for January 12, 2009 written by richard
1 DJ $crilla - So Digital
Produced By: Team Green
Album: Me, Myself, And I
Posted On: Jan 05, 2009
Listen Now Avg Rating:
2 K. Sparks - Purpose
Produced By: D Roof
Album: Manic Mondays (#19)
Posted On: Jan 04, 2009
Listen Now Avg Rating:
3 Blvd Benny ft. Jadakiss & Fabolous - Rock It Out (Remix)
Produced By: Blvd Benny
Album: Que Sera, Sera
Posted On: Jan 06, 2009
Listen Now Avg Rating:
4 K-Salaam & Beatnick ft. Michael Jackson - Never Can Say Goodbye (Remix)
Produced By: K-Salaam & Beatnick
Album: Unreleased
Posted On: Jan 08, 2009
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5 Young Keno ft. Lil Wayne & Lloyd - The Things U Do
Produced By: Young Yonny
Album: This Is Not a Game
Posted On: Dec 04, 2008
Listen Now Avg Rating:
6 Beatz Galaw ft. Mickey Factz & MIMS - Block ‘Em
Produced By: H-Storm [for Beatz Galaw Productions]
Album: Untitled (TBD)
Posted On: Jan 06, 2009
Listen Now Avg Rating:
7 Physha P ft. Kelly Clarkson - Here I Am
Produced By: Bebe Boohgz [for Da Fam Ent.]
Album: Physha P: Welcome to NEXT Level Hip-Hop Mixtape
Posted On: Jan 05, 2009
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8 J The S ft. Donny Goines & Emilio Rojas - My Thing
Produced By: The Returners
Album: My Will Mixtape
Posted On: Jan 01, 2009
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9 Mack Maine ft Mister F.A.B. - Man Cry
Produced By: Da Bizness
Album: This Is Just a Mixtape
Posted On: Dec 15, 2008
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10 Inverse ft. Deacon (of CunninLynguists) - So True
Produced By: Decap
Album: The So True EP
Posted On: Jan 06, 2009
Listen Now Avg Rating:
- DJ Booth
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
There comes a time in a musician’s life when he has to make the choice whether to let himself be crushed by the industry-imposed ceiling...or to break right through. While recently taking time to reconnect with his musical roots and the reasons that led to his original passion for the industry, Christopher Harris, aka DJ $crilla, discovered flavorless songs dominating the hip-hop charts. This finding was the impetus for his bolstered determination to return to the studio to create all-new intense, dramatic beats to fill the dire industry need.
During his years in the industry, DJ $crilla has witnessed the product of his talents spreading like wildfire among the local music scene in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Now, at the height of his creativity, DJ $crilla has begun writing, practicing and recording a whole new set of wildly dynamic hip-hop beats infused with elements of electro, rock and jazz—which comprise the core of his upcoming album, #ALLin (to be released in April 2015).
The result of his work with true creative visionaries, #ALLin, is about embracing a “never-say-die” attitude and rising above it all—regardless of whatever situation comes your way.
Focused on his natural ability to connect with people through positivity and kinetic lyricism, DJ $crilla continues to seek out innovative ways to remain an influential force on the hip-hop music scene. His work with the youth and role within the media led him to receive an Emmy award-nomination for Children/Youth Programs; he’s also won a Peabody Award and written/produced countless songs for universities throughout the United States all while in the pursuit and attainment of his own Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Media Production.
DJ $crilla’s dedication to all aspects of his music and craft is evident through both his onstage performances and his studio recordings. With new songs that deal with emotionally-powerful concepts based in love, lust, pain and heartache, DJ $crilla balances the spectrum with a healthy mix of straight-up good times to add to the cohesion on his upcoming album #ALLin—creating an all-encompassing hip-hop ride through REAL life.
For #ALLin, DJ $crilla enlisted the assistance of those who know him best in order to help communicate his commitment to remaining true to his musical roots. Long-time high school friend, Louis Harris, laid down incredible drums and smooth-tones on the saxophone, saying, “The energy was simply great. We had an incredible vibe throughout the entire process. #ALLin meant more than just the title, it’s a commitment to our love for positive music.” Also lending his talents to the recording was DJ $crilla’s long-standing engineer, Jim Stewart, who played guitar for #ALLin. According to Stewart, “This is, by far, DJ $crilla’s best work. Each recording session seems to top the last, and that is what really makes this album special.
”From his captivating stage presence to his endless enthusiasm in the studio, DJ $crilla is at the top of his game and ready to dominate with the release of #ALLin. DJ $crilla continues to own his inspirational influence by leading a whole new generation of artists on a path to positivity—and, with his new album’s energetic, skilled, precision cuts— listeners will undoubtedly be #ALLin with DJ $crilla’s music.
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