DJ Shadow

On Tour

445,741 listeners (9,597,800 plays)

Listening now: mrlinetoyou, pawelellerik, dagoscha

trip-hop, electronic, hip-hop, turntablism, electronica… see all

Known as the godfather of instrumental hip-hop, DJ Shadow (real name Josh Davis) has proven himself with groundbreaking, genre-defining solo output on such respected labels as Solesides and Mo’ Wax.

Although Shadow’s earlier works, especially Endtroducing, are known for their innovation in genres such as hip-hop, ambient, and trip-hop, his latest album, The Outsider, had several tracks dedicated to Hyphy. This decision has been controversial, leaving many fans feeling alienated. DJ Shadow addressed this point in an August, 2006 interview, in which stated, “Repeat Endtroducing over and over again? That was never, ever in the game plan. Fuck that. So I think it’s time for certain fans to decide if they are fans of the album, or the artist.”

DJ Shadow spent his teenage years in Davis, California and was a dj at the community radio station KDVS. During his time as a radio disc jockey, DJ Shadow was significant in developing the experimental instrumental hip-hop style associated with the California-based solesides record label. His early singles for the label, including In/Flux and Lost and Found (S.F.L.), were genre-bending works of art merging elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, ambient, jazz, soul, and used-bin found records. DJ Shadow is often cited as a leading creator of trip-hop, though this is a label he strongly contests.

Although he previously released a couple of original works (during 1991-1992 for Hollywood Records) by the time Mo’ Wax’s James Lavelle contacted him about releasing In/Flux on the fledgling imprint, it wasn’t until his distribution association with mo’ wax that his sound began to mature and cohere.

1	Midnight in a Perfect World full track	2,375
2	Organ Donor full track	2,148
3	Building Steam With a Grain of Salt full track	1,997
4	The Number Song full track	1,693
5	Best Foot Forward full track	1,575
6	Mutual Slump full track	1,342
7	Six Days	1,330
8	Why Hip Hop Sucks in '96	1,228
9	What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) full track	1,133
10	Fixed Income	1,131
11	Changeling	958
12	Blood on the Motorway	923
13	Walkie Talkie	857
14	Giving up the Ghost	833
15	Stem/Long Stem	809

Top Albums

Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
The Private Press
DJ Shadow
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
The Outsider
DJ Shadow
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
Endtroducing
DJ Shadow
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

Dookiac wrote:
8 hours ago

fuck yes love it all

View Profile | Leave Dookiac a shout
Amoide wrote:
Monday evening

genious

View Profile | Leave Amoide a shout
drmz wrote:
Friday evening

wombat

View Profile | Leave drmz a shout
kiewas wrote:
9 days ago

master

View Profile | Leave kiewas a shout
Cardiz wrote:
9 days ago

great

View Profile | Leave Cardiz a shout
Grabich wrote:
10 days ago

so fuckin great! art!!

View Profile | Leave Grabich a shout
VashTheStamped wrote:
10 days ago

One of the most intriguing musicians i have seen live.

View Profile | Leave VashTheStamped a shout
Jimmert wrote:
11 days ago

@Afghanidan, that riff is from "Touching Souls" by Kay Gardner.

View Profile | Leave Jimmert a shout
Conatz wrote:
13 days ago

that we need freaks remix was a slapper!

View Profile | Leave Conatz a shout
SHADOWOFGOD wrote:
14 days ago

this time and broken levee blues are standouts in an otherwise disappointing album

View Profile | Leave SHADOWOFGOD a shout
Conatz wrote:
14 days ago

i liked the hyphy shit

View Profile | Leave Conatz a shout
userdiniska wrote:
14 days ago

outstanding!

View Profile | Leave userdiniska a shout
illzid wrote:
16 days ago

OMG ENTRODUCING IS THE BEST

View Profile | Leave illzid a shout
Afghanidan wrote:
17 days ago

I know man, I'm just some weeaboo beaner wigger drawing graffiti on paper so I don't get busted for vandalizing. What's a guy to do? Oh wait, that's you.

View Profile | Leave Afghanidan a shout
supawoof wrote:
17 days ago

haha damn the dude below looks like such a fag

View Profile | Leave supawoof a shout
Afghanidan wrote:
18 days ago

Anyone know where the main..riff[?] from Changeling was sampled from? Starts about 1:30 in if you don't know what I mean. :x

View Profile | Leave Afghanidan a shout
loveanyfruits wrote:
last month

The　Private　Pressを持ってますが、　耳になじまない曲もあります。他のアルバム聞くとなかなかお洒落な曲がありますね。

View Profile | Leave loveanyfruits a shout
solesidesjoost wrote:
last month

all dj shadow info you need is @ www.solesides.com - even the folk song from Diminishing Returns seems to be identified. The Hard Sell tour is over now. Time for some rest, time to create new music. Also time to release an awesome DVD. We'll keep you updated at the solesides site.

View Profile | Leave solesidesjoost a shout
FootToFace wrote:
last month

it's only been two years, chill the fuck out. you're lucky you weren't a fan when Endtroducing first came out or you'd be pissed.

View Profile | Leave FootToFace a shout
Blade445 wrote:
last month

Shadow, write something!

View Profile | Leave Blade445 a shout