Based in Manila, Lowkey Da Boy Wonder aka Doc Kaylow has been a producer for over three decades. A vinyl and boom bap enthusiast, he has composed beats for music synchronization and the best Mcs in the country.

Welcome, a glass of?

Winter Melon juice becauce I dont drink alcohol.

Something to eat?

Local snack here called ‘Lumpia’, the junk food version.

Could you tell me about your first experience with Djing?

I used to have a radio show a few years ago: RAPUBLIKA NG PINAS in Eagle FM 95,5 where I used to play local Hip-hop music but I really started out more as a beat producer. I was heavily surrounded by Djs like Dj Radikal Mk who taught me basic connections of mixer and turntables, Dj MikMik who introduced me to using a Gemini mixer with a sampler, and Dj Arbie Won who is pretty deep on records to sample.

Could you tell me about your first experience with beat making?

Ah yes, it was around 1994 when I was able to make beats for our first album « Madd Poets », I was using a Gemini mixer with sampler, a Korg x5 keyboard, a Roland MS-1 sampler, then I did sequencing with a Roland MC-50.

What are your favorite record stores?

In Manila: Northwest Estate and Collectibles store because all the vinyl records I never thought I would have I got it there and Treskul Records, because vinyls there were curated by Arbie Won. It’s cream de la cream ! 

If I mention you Dhuntz Dante Tanedo what comes first to your mind?

My idol, he is a multi-award winning sound engineer and a very good friend.

Sun or shadow?

Depends on what I'm dabbling with (laugh).

Your favorite audio and video link of your work ?

That’s a remix of my favorite O.C. track « Times up » I remixed it and never used a single sample. Audio and video below. And the song « 44 » for Good Son Lagay mo Beat mo Challenge because I was able to lay down Gloc 9 vocals on my beat again and my drums in the beat are knocking genuine Boom bap. Also, because others think that if it’s aggressive and full of energy, it’s Boom bap. But real heads now if you got that head nod factor, that's Boom bap ! Take it from me. I was producing Boom bap during that time.

What is your favorite Tagalog adage?

« Pambihirang Patis », in English: "unbelievable fish sauce".

What comes to your mind if I say Zen?

Peace and quiet.

Your top 3 venues in Manila Metro?

Unfortunately I don’t really have a night life since I’m a little bit busy with family and business. My top going out would be a restaurant, record stores and race car track with my son.

One of your favorite release and why ? 

1. Dcoy Aka Wakin this where I truly worked with my friend Dcoy-Rest in Peace and record label.

2. BB Clan “Bonafide Bastards” Lp, I did a lot of dope Boom bap track on that album and working with 2 of the most dopest Mcs and lyricist was an awesome experience.

3. Denmark “Blind Rhyme” Lp, I get to work with one of the O.G. Mcs Denmark in the Philippines. Plus, an awesome experience working with Francis M., Michael V., and Gloc 9

The Pinoy beatmaker that puts you crazy systematically?

Dj Arbie Won because he flips sample systematically and CPR 008 aka Caliph8 the way how he takes the Mpc and the samples he chooses are crazy and he looks like me. I guess (laugh). Also, Audio Rebel, he is like a mad scientist incorporating vintage gears with modern hardwares. Or Skeemtatics with his sound and incorporation of various elements on his beat and Crizobeats Super Dope and genuine Boom bap producer. When I hear his beats makes me wanna punch somebody !

7 or 12inch?

12 inch, because my hands are small I can easily handle it. Though the sound on 7 inch is compact and thick. 12 inch is my choice!

What comes to your mind if I say Beat Flex?

A venue where promising and established beat makers and producer come together to just simply share and vibe on each others beats. No prejudice.

What makes you proud today?

I may never had an ultimate Hip-hop song that was a hit but the experience working with artists, engineers, record executives and in between. And hearing some of my works still in circulation in some playlists and seeing how collectible the CDs and cassettes where I was a part of is something Iam truly proud of.

If you could teleport yourself for a few days…

Back in the 90s I could have bought every GI Joe (G.I. Joe is a series of plastic action figures created in 1964 and produced by Hasbro with a military theme – Editor’s note) I could find and haggled over every vinyl record I now know has value. And a bit of the 80s where the music was awesome!

What job would you like to do if you weren’t a beatmaker?

I would probably be a doctor, I got a pre med degree or a parasitologist because I’m fascinated with parasites. Or a fire fighther because I love where there is action (laugh)!

Your favorite beat of “The Genesis” album by Konflick, and why?

Konflick because is an O.G. Mc he was around when we were making noise, his lyrics are also dope and he has very thick voice.

Your top 5 new releases?

1. Chino Stack “Anak ng Pantikan”

2. Konflik “The Genesis”

3. Aikee “Alam Ko Magagawa Ko”

4. Kemikal Ali “Pwersa”

5. Chino Stack X Apok “Awtentiko”

Your top 5 oldies?

Sorry I went beyond 5 because my music choices are diverse, I have days where one is dedicated for classics Jazz, city Pop and in between (laugh)

1. Gangstarr “Militia”

2. Donald Byrd “Places and Spaces”

3. Lee Morgan “The Sidewinder”

4. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth “Take You There”

5. Bob James “Sign of Times”

6. Daryl Hall & John Oates “Heart of Stone”

7. Masayoshi Takanaka “Oh! Tengo Suerte”

8. Icehouse “Electric Blue”

9. George Benson “Love X Love”

The Pinoy Mc that puts you crazy systematically?

Kemilkal Ali, Dcoy (RIP), Banong Bagsek, and Loonie.

Your future projects?

I’m working on a few songs for Chino Stack, an awesome Mc. And an upcoming Ep for Kemikal Ali.

Interviewed by Coshmar Dj