"Crimes & Treasons." Aaron Joseph, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. 16 December 2016.
"I was blessed enough to work with Aaliyah and her choreographer, Fatima, on a dance scene in the film Romeo Must Die. Being so young, the cast as well as directors didn't mind me chilling all day on set with each of them."
Here's AJ with Pharrell, throwing up the Vulcan (STAR TRAK sign) while he's throwing up the Vancity V!
Ain't nothing like a 3:00 am post-bender bagel run to the Mile End's St. Viateur to swiftly bond you to new friends. Aaron Joseph (aka AJ) was introduced to me by Montréal multi-hyphenate Leslie "DJ New Money" Woods. My first memories of kickin' it with AJ are sitting on the deck watching the sun come up over the Balconville, our patio table set with a feast of fresh-out-the-oven warm sesame-seed bagels and whipped cream cheese, small-l lox, and poached eggs (not sure how we managed to pull off that last feat in our state, but we did it). Damn, I am getting hungry typing this...
AJ hustles a dope radio show with his co-hosts called 'Crimes & Treasons on the storied UBC radio station CiTR. He is a sick skater and all-around cool dude who has met some of the most interesting people in the rap game.
What's your passion/hustle/profession?
Skateboarding, music, and public relations. I work in marketing and as a music journalist, actor, and radio host.
Here's AJ pictured with Sean La La (talent manager), Andrea Woo (Globe & Mail) and legendary Canadian TV & CiTR radio host, Nardwuar, the Human Serviette.
What kind of music helps you focus at work?
Jazz, soul and R&B, trip-hop (Esthero, DJ Mehdi, Nightmares on Wax), classical, and hip-hop.
When you’re winding down?
ATCQ.
Working out?
Kanye, Hudson Mohawk, Major Lazer.
Cooking?
Marvin Gaye, George Benson.
AJ with the ever-elusive Jay Electronica.
Kickin’ it with friends?
Chance The Rapper, JoeyBada$$, TDE.
AJ with DJ Paul & Juicy J
What’s your most memorable musical moment? This could be a live show or festival that really stuck with you, meeting a music icon, etc.
Interviewing and photographing Nas at the 2008 Rock The Bells concert festival in Vancouver, and being able to enjoy the 'Distant Relatives' set from backstage.
Damian & Nas on one stage!?!? WOW!
Being lucky enough to work with the beautiful and talented Aaliyah in the film Romeo Must Die. I was blessed enough to work with Aaliyah and her choreographer, Fatima, on a dance scene in the film. Being so young, the cast as well as directors didn't mind me chilling all day on set with each of them (Anthony Anderson, Delroy Lindo, Jet Li, etc).
I already was a huge fan of the R&B princess and had talked to her the entire day about her career, dancing choreo (re: Nsync), the film business, tattoos, working with Nas, and of course music. One of my fondest memories. I will cherish that day forever. R.I.P.
A young AJ with the legendary performer, Aaliyah. R.I.P.
Favourite love song?
The Roots. "You Got Me."
Slow jam?
The Weeknd. "What You Need." That remastered Trilogy version with the Aaliyah sample.
Between the sheets track?
Sade Adu is always in the rotation; also Bryson Tiller (the whole album; I need more than a song HA!). Shoutouts to Pen Griffey, he's my new go-to!
You need to hype up the crowd at a house party real quick. What do you put on next?
Migos. "Fight Night."
If you were stranded on a desert island with only one album, which would it be?
Fugees. The Score.
Best format? Cassette tape, CD, iPod, Vinyl, etc.
Cassette tape (for nostalgic reasons) but we all know Vinyl can't be beat.
What’s the most prized album/mixtape/musical memento you own?
Two personally signed CDs from the dearly departed Aaliyah.
Also, another piece of music memorabilia in my collection is the official set list off of Mike Dean's boards given to me by the world famous Tony Williams during the recent Saint Pablo tour. I keep it by the power outlet box; so that whenever the power goes out I'm reminded just how 'lit' the concert was.
Setlist from Kanye West's Saint Pablo tour.
Your home is on fire and this is the only thing you can grab before it all burns down. (Sorry, that one’s grim.)
Well damn! Gotta be those Aaliyah CDs 'cause I couldn't realistically grab all of Nas' discography...my bad Nasir....ladies first!
Dinner with any artist, dead or alive. They're paying. Whom do you choose?
Michael Jackson.
What's your go-to karaoke jam?
Anything by Jamiroquai or Michael J.
Merçi, AJ!
*mobile-only.
"Crimes & Treasons" Track Listing
Joey Bada$$. "Waves." Waves, 2012 Cinematic Music Group / Pro Era, 2012.
Ro Ransom. "Prettiest (feat. Jazz Cartier)." Prettiest (feat. Jazz Cartier), Ro Ransom, 2017.
Kanye West. "Fade." The Life Of Pablo, G.O.O.D. MUSIC, Def Jam Recordings, 2016.
Chance The Rapper. "All Night (feat. Knox Fortune)." Coloring Book, Chance The Rapper, 2016.
Kool & The Gang. "Summer Madness." Light of Worlds, Polydor, 1974.
Madeintyo. "I Want (feat. 2 Chainz)." You Are Forgiven, Private Club Records, 2016.
Migos. "Fight Night." No Label II, Quality Control Music, 2014.
Busta Rhymes. "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See." When Disaster Strikes, Elektra Entertainment Group, 1997.
Nas. "Get Down." God's Son, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2002.
Jamiroquai. "Virtual Insanity." Travelling Without Moving, Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited, 1997.
The Weeknd. "What You Need (Album Version)." Trilogy, XO&co., Inc., 2012.
Michael Jackson. "Butterflies." Invincible, MJJ Productions Inc., 2001.
Pharrell Williams, JAY-Z. "Frontin' (Radio Mix/Club Mix)." The Neptunes Present... Clones, Arista Records, Inc., 2003.
For more AJ, follow him on Instagram & Twitter, and check out the Crimes & Treasons Radio every Tuesday 9 - 11 pm PST on CiTR.ca and www.CrimesandTreasons.com.