DJ Couz: Los Angeles, Mixtapes and Connections with Japan
DJ Couz is a DJ and producer whose career has moved between Japan and Los Angeles. His work spans mixes, radio, live DJing and record production. In an interview published in two parts, HIPHOPCs asked him about meeting Big Boy, working with Nipsey Hussle and the approach to work he has carried through those experiences.[1][2]
Career milestones in his own account
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Met radio personality Big Boy in Tokyo while Big Boy was visiting Japan. Couz recalls the meeting as a turning point in his connections with LA.[1] |
| 2002 | First moved to Los Angeles and began working on Big Boy and DJ E-Man’s Japan tours, according to the interview.[1] |
| 2011 | Met Nipsey Hussle, leading to the Rich Rollin’ project. His official site lists the mix’s release date as December 2, 2011.[1][4] |
| 2016 | Obtained an artist visa and moved his base back to Los Angeles, as he explains in the interview.[1] |
Where to start listening
His official site lists the Westside Ridin’ series and DJ Couz & Nipsey Hussle Rich Rollin’ among its mixes. Rich Rollin’ is presented as a 34-track audio mix; its listing credits DJ Couz and onodub with producing “Squeeze First.” The mix’s selection and sequencing are distinct from the production credits for individual tracks. Some mixes on the site require membership or a paid plan to play.[3][4]
In Part 1 of the HIPHOPCs interview, Couz also discusses “Floating,” released under his name with Glasses Malone and B-Real, and producing the beat for “I Don’t Give A Fxxk” by AK-69, featuring MACCHO. His account connects Japanese rappers and the LA scene through both production and touring.[1]
The relationships behind the records
Couz recalls listening to LA radio while living in Japan, then meeting Big Boy and spending time at local studios. He says the Nipsey Hussle project grew out of a conversation in which Nipsey recognized music Couz had worked on. These stories give context to the collaborations: the listening and work came before the prominent names.[1]
In Part 2, Couz distinguishes reading a club floor from holding the attention of unseen radio listeners and supporting an artist onstage. He also explains what sincerity means in his work: not using names without permission, not bluffing and following through on his commitments.[2]
HIPHOPCs interviews
- DJ Couz Interview Part 1: Big Boy, Nipsey Hussle and West Coast Hip-Hop
- DJ Couz Interview Part 2: 2Pac, Nipsey Hussle and “Be Sincere”
Official information and music
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Sources and last checked date
Last checked: . This profile draws on official biographies, release listings and HIPHOPCs interviews. Personal recollections and plans are attributed to the interviews in which they were discussed. The source list includes Japanese originals; English interview editions are linked above.
- HIPHOPCs: DJ Couz interview, part 1
- HIPHOPCs: DJ Couz interview, part 2
- DJ Couz: official mix catalog
- DJ Couz: Rich Rollin’ track listing
Profile card: HIPHOPCs.
