For nearly 20 years, DJ Jorun has been a driving force behind Halifax's thriving hip-hop scene. His dedication to turntablism, production and his homemade studio has helped propel the careers of some of Halifax's hip-hop elite. Yet somehow, as those artists have gone on to bigger things such as major label deals and working with Grammy winners, Jorun remains doing that which he loves best, making beats, in the brightest of shadows. Despite his age and experience, he remains one of the most active and creative minds in hip-hop in this region.

Jorun is an old skool to the ground producer. He gets his biggest rush from digging through crates of vinyl records trying to find the perfect hard-to-find sample and his hard work shines bright in his amazing creations. "Deep crate diggin' is my specialty," states Jorun. "I'm very picky about my music and who makes it. I like Beatnuts, P.U.T.S., De La Soul, Gang Starr - people who still dig in the crates and pull some outta this world head bangin samples. The kinda beats that make ya say 'Daaamm...i wish I made that!!'"

Widely regarded as the best hip-hop producer in Atlantic Canada, Jorun also held the distinction as being one of the best scratch dj's until phenom Scratch Bastid took over in the late nineties. "My man Sixtoo was quoted in a magazine back in 1996 as saying I was hands down the best scratch dj in the east coast. I think Scratch Bastid has that title now and he totally deserves it," adds an honest Jorun. Unfortunately, Jorun never had the chance at the national exposure the DMC competition now provides. "I've been in many contests where I whipped some people's asses, but back when I was doing dj competitions, the DMCs never touched Halifax." However, it's not an accolade Jorun has needed in establishing himself at the forefront of the Halifax hip-hop scene.

The hip-hop bug first bit him back in 1979. "I first heard hip hop at a school Christmas party in grade 3. After hearing Sugarhill Gang for months and seeing kids at school rap the whole song off by heart, it kind of just spread in my direction. It only got serious in 1984 when I heard a mixtape of a WHBI radio show with Mr. Magic and Marley Marl. It mesmerized me because all the songs were cut up, scratched up and beatmixed so there were no pauses between songs. Immediately I wanted to know how to do that."

By 1986, Jorun had formed his first rap group by the title of Down By Law. "Fiz and I were in Down By Law and Voo(doo) was our stage dancer, kinda like how Stezo was a dancer of EPMD back in the whole 'stage dancers era'". They became one of the biggest hip-hop groups in Halifax and even got the chance to open for Public Enemy. Jorun now chuckles about the intimidating experience. "It was scary because there were about 1000 people there and we knew they all came to see the biggest hip hop group on the planet. Public Enemy was at their height at that time so we knew we HAD to be dope." They survived that ultimate test and have more or less remained together ever since.

By the early nineties, Jorun's modesty and hip-hop enthusiasm pushed him to help many an artist in advancing their careers. His approach at helping rap artists may have played a much larger role in the success of these artists than some realize. Rather than being a guiding light, Jorun stood aside and simply provided a helping hand. In the early nineties when rap artists like Buck 65 and Sixtoo needed and asked for his production and recording help, Jorun provided support by letting them use his home studio for a short time until they felt ready to do their own thing. "I'd like to think I inspired people to do it their selves. Not with someone over your shoulder telling you how to rap, or how to make beats while the clock ticks and you owe studio money. I'm really glad that we all have our own shit now, our own home studios, our own beat making techniques, our own sample secrets, etc. That's what makes a scene."

His open-minded approach at hip-hop led to his infamous Haltown Meltdown compilations exposing Halifax to a great deal of talent. Jorun is quick to point that he was prompted to create the daring and influential compilation series because "straight up, no one else was doing it!! I used to see so much talent happening around me, but it felt like people didn't have the guts to do it themselves. So I bought a 4-track to go with my sampler and I started making phone calls. The first guy I called was Rich (Buck 65) and we both worked on five songs the same day I got my 4-track. That same week, we had an audition on his radio show announcing that we were going to put out a hip hop compilation and we were looking for artists. That week, we met Nathan the Alien, Hip Club Groove (now in Len, and Sixtoo now on Ninja Tunes) and many others who have moved on to greater success."

The Haltown Meltdown compilation also brought exposure to his now defunct group Haltown Projex which included the all-star cast of Haslam (now Buck 65, a 2003 Juno-nominee), Product KVA (Plains of Facination & Tallisman - who has recently worked with Nelly Furtado) and 2002 ECMA-nominee, Bonshah, who has appeared on EMI records' "44n 63w" CD compilation in 2000.

Jorun still continues to support the hip-hop scene in Atlantic Canada by working with different artists. His work with the former Vet Cru out of Saint John, New Brunswick starting in 1999 has helped propel the crew's individual members (Sean One, Above, Mic Jones, Cess, Anonamyss) to a much higher level. The duo of Sean One & Above, now known collectively as First Words, are New Brunswick's most established rap act and continue to work with Jorun. He acts strictly as beat-maker and occasional emcee on their upcoming album due out sometime this summer. "I don't like to put a date on anything, but when it drops it's gonna be sick for sure. Sean One is a hard worker, so you will feel the hard work that was put into making the CD. Above is an incredible MC as well. STV does the DJ'ing and drops some rhymes here and there, so it's definitely a collaborated effort."

Today Jorun remains a part of the ever-influential rap group known as Universal Soul. It includes all three original members of his first group, Down By Law, along with new member Tacktishion. They've worked and performed with a diverse array of talented musicians ranging from Canadian R&B icon, Dutch Robinson, to country singer Anne Murray. Universal Soul's highly-anticipated debut full-length album was released this May 2003, and was appropriately titled 'Time Capsule.' "The songs were written anywhere between 1 year and 10 years ago, proving our old ideas stood the test of time," points out Jorun.

Expect Universal Soul's release to be a little piece of the puzzle needed by the currently confused state of hip-hop. "'Time capsule' is just good ol' hip hop. It's what hip hop was meant to be: breakbeats, cuttin', MC's who harmonize together, and speak about more than just one topic without sounding preachy. Most importantly, music that makes you feel good and makes you wanna get up and bop your head."

Be sure to check out Universal Soul at www.usoul.com. As well, check out www.newmusiccanada.com to hear standout work from both Jorun and Universal Soul.

Meanwhile, Jorun continues to make new and innovative beats, while promising "more music, more innovation, and more good times." Finally, the man, the myth, the legend known only as Jorun has been given but a small piece of the pie he so rightfully deserves.