Edmonton Journal
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Page: D4
Section: Ed
Byline: Olivia Cheng
Source: Freelance

He may spin heavy metal tunes for Edmonton's The Bear, but DJ Yukon Jack cites Snoop Dogg, one of hip hop's founding fathers, as the musical influence of his life.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Paul Brown, owns all of Snoop's albums, has seen him in concert three times, and wipes a tear from his eye recalling how the Doggfather of rap has shaped his philosophy on relationships: "Snoop said 'you can't make a ho a housewife.' He taught me everything I know about women!"

Soon, Yukon Jack will get the chance to hit up his hip-hop hero for pimpin' tips in person. In early December, he'll leave the audio booth behind to tag along on Snoop's Canadian tour to promote his album, 213.

Yukon's Snoop connections are DJs Harman Brar and Archie Caraang of Edmonton's Urban Metropolis Entertainment, who are booked to open for Snoop's Canadian tour.

"We will set the mood for the event," Brar says. "(We'll) hype the crowd at the start and in between performers' sets. We will also DJ the official Snoop Dogg after-party in each market." Brar says he, Caraang, and Yukon Jack have been friends for years so it made sense to bring him in as their road manager.

"I'll be the really high honky standing side stage," Yukon grins. He's ecstatic over the opportunity to meet "tons of groupie skanks" but admits he always feels like "the oldest, whitest guy in the room" at urban music events. "I (feel) totally out of place, but at the same time, I'm there in my AC/DC shirt, bobbing my head, singing along in the corner, and I know all the words."

"I don't dress hip hop, I don't talk hip hop, but I understand it."

He also understands the importance of playing it cool around celebrities, after seeing fans get hysterical around bands like Creed, Nickelback and The Tea Party. So if he gets a chance to sip gin and juice with Snoop, he plans a low-key approach. "I'd shake his hand and just tell him I've been a big fan for a long time. Part of me is scared that I'm going to get to meet Snoop and he's going to be a total dink."

As for how his bosses are handling his temporary departure to hip hop, Yukon says they're cool with it. He's also sure his fans won't turn on him for indulging his love for beats and rhymes.

"(The Bear) is the best radio station in town, and I love the music we play here. But even if you work at the fanciest restaurant in the city, sometimes you just want a burger. Just because I'm playing Aerosmith and Sabbath here, that doesn't mean that's what's in my car. I'm not hip hop but I love hip hop. And it's that diversity that keeps things interesting."

olivia.cheng@global.ca
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