About Illustrator Joe Cool, whom 2high called a “brother”
SEI: I heard that you were close with Joe Cool, the hip-hop illustrator famous for designing Snoop’s Doggystyle album, who passed away last July. Could you share any anecdotes about him?
2high: Joe, huh… (Gets a little teary-eyed). He was my brother. He helped me earn a lot of money. We met in 1996, when he offered to draw a picture for me, so we’d known each other for 29 years in total. I miss getting those surprise prank calls from him, where he’d angrily shout, “You still haven’t paid me that money from back then!”, and then immediately say, “Just kidding, I love you.” That was one of his standard gags, but at first, I didn’t get what he was talking about. I’d think, “On the contrary, I paid you in advance and still haven’t received the artwork!”
SEI: Did you meet him back in the “Pokemon era” when you were in America?
2high: No, he was in prison at that time. Our deep relationship started right after he got out of prison. After I established DPG JAPAN in 2005 and he drew the logo for me, I became what you might call his patron. I spent a lot of money on Joe over those 20 years.
SEI: Is the painting on the wall one of Joe’s?
2high: Want to see some other pictures? (He takes out an album).
2high: This picture here has Snoop on the left, me in the middle, and Bo Roc on the right. The logo at the bottom is the original one that we still use often today.
SEI: That’s so cool!
2high: I commissioned this painting showing what the characters from Snoop’s Doggystyle album cover would be doing now, 20-plus years later. The three dog characters who were on the wall, the police officer, and the girl with her butt sticking out of the doghouse all appear, and they’re all getting along.
SEI: So he drew the characters that were on the album. That’s a fantastic idea. If he’d had an exhibition in Japan, it would have been quite popular, wouldn’t it? Getting back to him, are you still sad? He was a friend you talked to every day, wasn’t he?
2high: He was my best friend of best friends, so his funeral was the most emotionally difficult I’ve attended recently. I was so honored when his ex-wife told me that while Joe had many friends, he could only count his true best friends on his fingers, and that 2high was definitely one of them. Also, many of the photos used in the pamphlet distributed at his funeral were taken by me, not just one or two.
SEI: Thank you for sharing that difficult story. It’s gotten a little melancholic.
2high: I recently heard this new Snoop song, and it mentioned Joe Cool, and I ended up crying.
An episode from when he was Coolio’s back DJ
SEI: You also served as Coolio’s back DJ, didn’t you? Our readers would like to know about that connection.
2high: There was a DJ named DJ Fatbox, who unfortunately passed away recently. He had been Coolio’s DJ for a long time. Whenever Coolio and Fatbox came to Japan, I would contact them and make beats with them in the hotel. So I had been in touch with them in Japan even before I went to America. Then, shortly after I came to America, Fatbox was fired as Coolio’s DJ, and I was appointed as his successor. Thinking back on it now, Coolio was the first person to hire me and pay me a salary after I came to America. I’m very grateful for that.
The Origin of the Name DJ2high
SEI: What is the origin of your name, DJ2high?
2high: When I was 17, I founded a record company called KSR. It was around the same time Def Jam Japan was starting up. Some staff from there came to visit my office, and since I was smoking a lot in the office, they said, “Damn, you too high, huh?” I guess that’s where it came from. But later, or rather, recently, Snoop got mad at me, saying, “I named you YOSHI! Why did you change the name I gave you?!” (laughs).
His Connection with Damian Marley
SEI: That’s true… But I think it’s good that your name isn’t YOSHI. Thank you. I saw a picture of you at the after-party of Damian Marley’s tour. Could you tell me about that connection?
2high: It’s through Ms. Mai Okamoto, also known as “Okamai-san,” who is based in Jamaica. She lives next door to the Bob Marley museum and is really good friends with Damian, so that’s how it happened. Do you know what a dubplate is?
SEI: I’m not familiar with it.
2high: When hip-hop DJs battle, they scratch and compete with two records. In reggae, it’s called a sound clash, which is essentially the battle in the reggae world. And the key to a sound clash is the dubplate. A dubplate is basically a special version of a famous hit song that you get the artist to make for a DJ—for example, a “2high special.” It’s a culture of getting a famous song specially remixed for a particular DJ. Depending on when and how you play it, it can get the crowd hyped, or if you play poorly, you get booed. That’s where a special “kill tune” comes in. You use it to diss your opponent and “kill” them with music in the battle. That’s why it’s called a kill tune. (He then plays an original song and a custom kill tune for a battle to demonstrate the difference).
Going back to Damian Marley, because Jamaica is saturated with dub culture, it’s not that difficult to record with various artists. However, recording a dubplate with him isn’t something that can be achieved just with money. Damian’s dub sessions are extremely rare, happening perhaps once a year, and it’s “Okamai-san” who has a spot in them. When she came to L.A., Damian also happened to be there at the perfect time… and I think that’s when that photo was taken.
SEI: This is a question from our readers. How can we easily buy the DPG album versions in Japan? Also, won’t you perform in Japan?
2high: Back in the day, I was in business with Cisco, so they used to distribute it, but since they went under, Manhattan Records, we’re waiting for your call! As for performing, if a virtual show is okay, please book me!
Twinz, The Dove Shack, and Snoop’s “We’ll Miss You”
SEI: Since your start with THC’s “Let me shine” in 1997, you’ve participated in various artists’ projects over 28 years. Are there any particularly memorable works or artists that have influenced you?
2high: I was influenced by Twinz and The Dove Shack. The person who influenced me most in beat-making was Battlecat-sensei. The most emotional work I was involved in was Snoop’s “We’ll Miss You.”
The day Uncle June Bugg passed away, Daz happened to be at my house. He got a call that June Bugg had died, and with tears in his eyes, he told me to give him the beat I just happened to be making, saying it was perfect as it was. I gave it to him. Daz went straight to Snoop’s compound (studio), and they did the recording and video shoot together. The very next morning after Daz told me, “It’s done,” the video was finished. It was within 24 hours of me making the beat. That was unbelievably fast.
Collaboration with Japanese and American Rappers
SEI: In 2023, Japanese Magenese released “Cali Jap,” featuring Daz Dillinger from DPG. 2high’s chill, laid-back, and distinctly West Coast beat was a great match for Son Gong’s and JAGGLA’s voices and verses. It was an excellent collaboration between Japanese and American rappers. You were in the music video, too, weren’t you, 2high? It was very cool.
2high: I’d like to make some new music with Son-Gong and JAGGLA again!
About his sound production and future projects
SEI: Could you tell us what you focus on and what’s important to you when making your music?
2high: Nothing in particular! Is it cool or not? It’s that simple! (Plays a Japanese-style beat). I made this yesterday. It’s for a kid named MOFF. It’s been a while since I’ve worked with material that gets me this excited.
SEI: Oh, is that right? I listened to some of his other songs on Instagram, and they had a pop feel to them, so I was surprised to learn it was you, 2high! I guess that’s because you have such a strong gangster style image.
2high: The name “2high” has a strong DPG image, and I’ve been branding myself that way, so it can’t be helped. But when I make these kinds of songs that aren’t quite pop but are more mainstream, I’ve thought about whether I should change my name.
SEI: I wouldn’t have guessed the beats were from the same person. It probably just means you’re that creative, but it was a surprise. It’s pretty common for artists to use a different name when composing, isn’t it? Are you considering that?
2high: Or maybe I’ll go with YOSHI (laughs). I once considered the name “Doctor Drei (Slave).” I see everyone who spends money as a slave. Kanye got a lot of heat for his slave comments a while back, but I think he has a point. We are all slaves because we all spend money, so I found what he said interesting. The “Doctor” part would be to liberate people from that mindset. 2high is fine for me, but I can’t do business with Disney or anything. I’ll get rejected just because of my name.
SEI: I think that’s a good idea. A different name. A different, more pop-oriented persona.
2high: The name 2high has a double meaning. Of course, it refers to the “high” from marijuana, but it also reflects my high-end visual style and my circle of friends. I may be short in stature, but my mindset is far higher than anyone else’s. That’s the meaning behind it. Still, the sad reality is that I probably can’t work with Disney with this name (laughs).
SEI: What about future projects or plans? Under the name YOSHI or Doctor Dre?
2high: I’m thinking of releasing an album under the name 2high soon. I haven’t released much under my own name, so I’ve got a lot of songs built up.
SEI: I’d love to hear it! Like DJ Ryow, who releases a lot of stuff under his own name, right? Will it be like that?
2high: Something like that. Not a compilation, but a collection of various artists’ tracks that I produced. For instance, I’ve got about seven tracks with Yufuwa Gang. (He plays a few songs.) NENE’s rap is great, isn’t it? It’s so cool.
SEI: I’m a fan of NENE’s rap, too. So, here’s another question from our readers: What’s the difference between a rapper and an MC, in your opinion?
2high: Huh?! You’ll get a more accurate answer if you Google that than if you ask me (laughs).
Other Business Ventures
SEI: I heard you have an apparel brand as an entrepreneur, in addition to your music production. Are you thinking about other businesses?
2high: Of course. A lot of things are in motion behind the scenes right now.
SEI: 2high, your drive to take action is incredible. You’re a real doer.
2high: You don’t know if something will be a net positive or a net negative unless you just try it, right? Everyone analyzes things and gives up before they even start. I’m okay with a premature start; I’ll just give it a shot and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. My dad always told me to plan for three years ahead, and you can’t make that happen without taking action. You can’t just do what everyone else is doing. It’s all about timing.
SEI: That’s a major difference between you and other people. Thank you.F
Artists He’d Like to Produce
SEI: Are there any artists, in the U.S. or Japan, that you’re currently watching or would like to produce?
2high: Even though BADHOP has broken up, I’d like to work with someone like Yzerr.
SEI: What about XG, for example?
2high: Those girls? Why not?? YEEEES!
SEI: Even if it’s more pop-oriented rather than strictly hip-hop?
2high: Why not? I’ve worked with Def Tech before. I’m totally open to it.
A Message from 2high
SEI: This is the last thing. It’s not so much a question as a request, but could you please give a message to the readers of HiphopCs?
2high: Message…Hmm, Just be yourself! Love yourself and be yourself! And I’d be happy if you’d follow me on all my social media accounts.
https://www.instagram.com/dj2high
https://www.youtube.com/@DJ2HIGH_TV
The interview ended up lasting over three and a half hours. I was so absorbed that the takoyaki went cold without us noticing. When I left the studio, the clouds had cleared, and a blue sky stretched out above.
To be frank, my impression of DJ2high was that he is a person who embodies some apparent contradiction; Though his appearance suggests a hardcore gangster, his manner was exceptionally gentle and polite, and he was clearly mindful of my nervousness. He possesses the distinct qualities and charms of someone who has weathered great hardships: a calm sense of judgment, accurate situational awareness and rapid reaction, a strong sense of responsibility, and consideration for those around him.
DJ2high also shared several wild and incredible stories that can’t be published online. At times, his gentle gaze would sharpen, but he recounted his many anecdotes with humor and amusement. His intellect came through clearly through his words and choice of vocabulary. It was also memorable to see him doting on a neighbor’s dog that wandered into the studio through an open door as if it were his own, and to hear him happily sharing stories about his children.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who became a fan of DJ2high after reading this interview. I would love to hear more of his untold stories and tales of his work. Thank you again and again, DJ2high!
