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A-Trak spins tour debut in Ybor City

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A-Trak began touring the globe in 1998 and was discovered in London by Kanye West in the summer of 2004.

By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 1, 2009

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TAMPA - Set off a different kind of fireworks Sunday when DJ A-Trak (aka Alain Macklovitch) unloads his turntables and record crates at Crowbar in Ybor City.

The DJ/producer, who doubles as Kanye West's tour DJ, kicks off his first U.S. headline tour in Tampa. Dubbed the "10,000 Lb. Hamburger Tour," the event promises musical genius and summertime shenanigans. Treasure Fingers and Rye Rye are also along for the bus ride.

A-Trak's stop here is part of the "Red, White and Bootay III" holiday party hosted by the organizers of Pulp, a weekly dance party at Crowbar featuring DJs spinning everything from indie and electro to punk and hip hop.

Past Pulp guests include A-list DJs Steve Aoki, Diplo, Flosstradamus and Chicago emcee Kid Sister. The Independence Day weekend event boasts a crew of DJs, drink specials and barbecue, of course.

A-Trak carved a place for himself among the world's baddest turntablists during the '90s as a battle champion while still in high school. He began touring the globe in 1998 and was discovered in London by Kanye West in the summer of 2004.

"It can take a huge amount of discipline, and the travel can really wear you down," he said in a telephone interview. "But all of that is secondary to the fact that I am fortunate to make a living from one of my passions."

His live set combines effect pedals, antics and eclectic sets of hip hop, crunk, booty and classic electro, dancehall and '80s funk mash-ups. He said Tampa should be ready for an unveiling of "some new gizmos."

"It deejaying was my passion early on, but it took me a good amount of years to know that this was going to be solid," he said. "And even once I accepted that this was my life, it was and still is a constant exercise, because you have to stay up on the music scene."

In 2007, A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs co-founded Fool's Gold Records, whose roster of artists - Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids and Trackademicks - has taken the scene by storm.

"It seemed like a strange decision to start a company then, especially with the economy the way it is," he said. "But the strength of the music really won people over and grew organically. It's amazing."

If you miss the Montreal native live in Tampa, follow his tweets on Twitter (@atrak). "It's totally addictive and I have random thoughts to share," he said.