Knowledge Dropped, Lessons Taught: Mixing It Up With DJ EZ Eddie D

Photo courtesy of Dallasnews.com

Meet Eddie Murphy. Not that Eddie Murphy. Dallas' Eddie Murphy.

Most people know him as DJ EZ Eddie D, a true Dallas pioneer who has been at the helm of what is certainly the longest running hip hop radio show on Texas' airwaves, if not the entire US, with "Knowledge Dropped, Lessons Taught" first appearing on KNON 89.3 in 1987. 

Think on that for second. Eddie has been a champion of hip hop culture and specifically Dallas hip hop culture since damn near it's inception, a monumental achievement given the massive upheaval in radio in just the last decade, not to mention the evolution of hip hop into the global powerhouse it has become.

Eddie has seen and done it all, yet his first instinct is to grab a picture with you when he sees you. His humility is much needed in today's DJ environment where over-the-top antics and pre-recorded DJ sets are what commands the most attention in this social media-dominated world we live in.

We sat down with Eddie to learn a little more about his beginnings and what keeps him motivated after all of these years.

How long have you been DJing?

Since 1982 and at KNON since 1986.

Who and/or what influenced you to become a DJ?

I used to go to these high school parties in Cincinnati at The Apple and a place called London Hall. The whole city would turn out. This was when funk and soul were king, especially funk. I would just stand and watch the DJ. I rarely danced any. Well the DJ would put on a record like "Flashlight" or Cameo's Funk Funk and would turn and look at the crowd, saw the energy that a song would create and watch the mass hysteria break out! It was incredible! We also had Harps and USA skating rinks. Not to mention the house parties that were always going down. I can remember being at a house party and no one was there but my brother Jimmy, our friend Joe and I and this song came on and  we lost our minds. I think it was like 1976. Well that song was Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk. I had no idea what a B Boy was but that was the day I was locked into Hip-Hop and became a B Boy. I was liking the way the DJ and the music controlled the crowd! Something I will never forget.

How long have you been at KNON?

I have had my own show since 1987. Wow, this is 39 years, next year will be 40!!!!! 

Who are some artists that you played first on your show or artists you've had on your show before they blew up?

One artist that i interviewed before they blew up was Queen Latifah! I've done so many I cant remember a lot of them at the moment. Some of the records I broke were

• The Goodie Mob, "Cell Therapy" 
• Bizzie Boyz, "Dope"
• Supreme DJ Nyborn, "Versatile Extension"
• Lakim Shabazz, "Black is Back"
• Chill Rob G, "Court Is Now In Session"
• Ice Cream T, "Can't Hold Back"
• Latin MC's, "Let's Jam"
• Levi 167, "The Other Side"
• Sweet Daddy Ceville, "Partners in Crime"

Just to name a few!

Hip hop has moved from a mostly vinyl to a digital culture. Has that changed your approach to DJing or the show?

Yes it has and I think for the better for me. I have always relied on blending as my weapon of choice as a DJ. When the controller came out and DJing went digital I was able to make instrumental loops where there were none. Now remixing could go to the next level. Also the greater selection of music was very important to me. I would lug around 3 or 4 crates of records so I could go where I wanted to go musically. See i never make a set list. I may have one or two songs and from that I let the music take me to destinations unknown. I felt really limited with vinyl. Understand i will always love wax. I constantly buy it. Always have, and i always will. I just like having more musical options when I DJ. Whether it was for the show or for any gig I may have.

Can you recall some of the more memorable experiences at the station?

• My Insane Clown Posse experience. They were to be interviewed on the show and changed their mind when they drove up and heard the beginning of the show and drove off. Classic material.
• My interview with Afrika Bambaataa will always mean a lot to me and even crazy in light of all his problems now.
• My interview with Large Professor - classic.
• My interview with Erykah Badu. I have known her since she was 16 and went by Apples. She was a supa dope MC and was in a group called Apples & TJ. She also donated $5,000 to KNON in my name which was a beautiful gesture by her.

• Haile Gerima, the director of the movie, "Sankofa" and "Bush Mama" and many others. Yeah that was incredible. 
• Any interview that I do with the 5% Nation of God's & Earth's. I have so much love and respect for them for who they are and what they have done for the hip-hop culture! It's everything!
• My interview with Queen Latifah and X Clan at the same time. Crazy. Queen Latifah called me, "DJ Colt 45" because of my smooth voice...