Hello Kentsuji! Would you please briefly introduce yourself? 

Hi! My real name is Amine, and I'm currently living in Montreal, Canada, though I was born and raised in Algiers, Algeria. I see myself as someone who is deeply passionate about life, finding joy in its simple moments and the beauty it holds, like the pleasure of listening to good music. 

Can you tell us about your musical roots? 

Even though there's no real musical background in my family, I've always seen myself as a passionate music lover. Growing up, I remember often hearing music, my parents essentially played Kabyle tunes, and we listened to a lot of Algerian and pop music on the radio. In my teenage years, I got into French and American Hip-Hop from the '90s, mostly through CDs and what my older brother would download off Limewire. Over time, I started exploring my own musical tastes, but Hip-Hop, in all its forms, has always had a special place in my heart. I was that kid who listened to music all day long, even during class sometimes!  

You have a big collection of records. What type of vinyl do you collect? What are the most valuable pieces in your collection? 

I started by mainly collecting Hip-Hop and Reggae records just so I could have physical copies of my favourite music; many of these records are like time capsules for me, they take me back to different phases of my life. The most valuable ones are those that were gifted to me because they remind me of the person and the occasion whenever I play them. I also treasure the ones I’ve had signed by my favourite producers and DJs; they hold special memories of meeting these artists. 

When did you start DJing? 

I got my first setup about 10 years ago, during a time when I was fascinated by turntablism and the idea of using turntables as instruments. My original goal was simply to learn how to scratch and enjoy the analog sound of vinyl records, but it quickly turned into a lifelong journey. After attending Outlook Festival in 2019, I began collecting and mixing dubstep exclusively, and I’ve been hooked ever since and never looked back. 

What is your DJ setup at home? 

2 SL1200 Turntables + DJM 800 Mixer + JBL3 MKII Monitors + full Kallax shelves 

What has been your most significant experience as a DJ? 

One of the most unforgettable moments was flexing the 40Hz SoundSystem at Valhalla in 2019 and later the full Bassix SoundSystem at Timeless in 2023. There’s no way to describe the feeling of commanding those sound systems, and now I’m just eager to play on even bigger setups around the world. Genuine connections with others are also a key motivator for my passion. To me, there’s nothing quite like sharing the blissful emotions of soul-stirring music. 

When did you start listening to dubstep? What initially drew you to it? 

It was around 2007-2008 when a high school friend introduced me to this new electronic music genre hailing from the UK and I was immediately left wanting more! The wobble bass and the raw, gritty sound of early dubstep really resonated with me. While I listened to the Americanized version of dubstep for a while, I’ve always preferred the original sound. It’s one of the only genres, alongside Hip-Hop, that managed to deeply move me, and I feel like the two share a lot of similarities. 

Can you tell us about the dubstep scene and community in your area? 

In Montreal, the UK soundsystem culture is quite niche and underground, our dubstep community is pretty close-knit. There’s a bigger riddim scene, but even with bookings like Kaiju, VIVEK, Commodo, Ago, Boofy and Sicara (only to name a few), it’s not always easy to attract a large crowd to our parties. 

Could you recommend some DJs, producers, labels, or sound system crews from your city or region? 

Definitely check out Musik Me Luv, HiFive, and Bassix if you're in Montreal and looking for a proper party and soundsystem experience. These are good friends of mine, and they’re the ones who have brought in some of the top artists I mentioned earlier.  

For producers, Meddem, Shigero, Wraz, Motus, Ousia, and SubStance are all good friends who create incredible music and the first that come to my mind. Melek, Dick Lee, and Nad are the founding members of Musik Me Luv and have been some of the most influential DJs in my journey amongst all the producers I already named.. and these are just a few examples of the many talented DJs our city has to offer. 
I actually host a weekly livestream on my YouTube and Twitch channels, where I feature a local guest DJ each time, so be sure to check it out, past episodes are available! 

If a basshead from around the world were visiting Canada, what club nights, bars, or festivals should they attend? 

• There’s a much bigger bass music scene out in Western Canada, but I haven’t had the chance to experience it personally. However, I’ve heard only great things about festivals like Bass Coast and Shambhala. In Montreal, smaller festivals often collaborate with the collectives I mentioned earlier, so it’s a good idea to follow them on social media to stay in the loop. 

You're still spinning vinyl. Why do you prefer vinyl over digital DJing? 

• Over time, as my collection grew, it just naturally led me to learning how to mix the records I owned since I had the gear available. I fundamentally wanted to share the music I loved with others. My passion for mixing dubstep really took off after being immersed in the culture during Outlook 2019. When it comes to vinyl, it was my first stepping stone into DJing, and I’ve always loved the tactile experience of manipulating sound right at my fingertips and having full dynamic control of it. 

Please recommend five tunes and a DJ mix that should be essential listening for every human being – the sort that would leave your life incomplete if you’d never heard them 

To be honest, I was a bit intimidated by this question at first. I had answered the rest of the interview but found it hard to choose just five tracks that would leave people’s lives INCOMPLETE. Instead, I thought I could share five songs that have played a huge role in shaping who I am today and really influenced me becoming Kentsuji: 

• Idir – A Vava Inouva: This is a timeless Kabyle lullaby that my mom used to sing to help me fall asleep. 

• Dave Brubeck – Take Five: The first time I really ACTIVELY listened to jazz, and it completely blew my mind. 

• IAM – Petit Frère: This one takes me back to my daily bus rides to high school, hoody on my head; it helped me understand the concept of responsibility as a teenager. 

• The Underachievers – Leopard Shepherd: This track had a significant impact on me as a young adult, really opening my mind. 

• Coki – Ruff Lovin: I HAD to choose one dubstep track, and this one holds a special place in my heart, can’t get enough of that bassline.. 

For the must-listen mix I’ll have to go with Digital Mystikz - BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix - (12 February 2006).. If you don’t know about this one.. It is to my perspective, a historic one. 

I almost forgot to say.. Dubstep, Yo! 

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions! 


Kentsuji: 
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