Cut Killer
Cut Killer (real name Anouar Hajoui) is a French DJ, actor and Hip-Hop recording artist of Moroccan origin.
He is popular in France but gained wider recognition through his appearance in the 1995 film La Haine directed by Mathieu Kassovitz.
In the film Cut Killer plays the role of a Parisian DJ who mixes Edith Piaf with the controversial Hip Hop group NTM and KRS One's Sound of Da Police. The scene shows him mixing from an appartment window and is cross-cut with arial images of a riot scarred housing estate and breakdancers.
Cut Killer has since scored soundtracks for the films Gamer (directed by Zak Fischman), The Dancer (directed by Fred Garson and produced by Luc Besson) and An Angel (directed by Courteous Miguel).
He later scored the soundtrack to the film La Squale (directed by Fabrice Genstale) that also tackled the subject of socially deprived Parisian neighbourhoods.
Early Beginnings
Cut Killer honed his DJ skills by competing in the famous Disco Mixing Club (DMC). He later toured with MC Solaar and added scratches on the solo album for Akhenaton from the platinum selling group IAM
During the 1990s Cut Killer contributed to the mixtape scene in France. His tapes helped to showcase his talents as a DJ, following in wake of mixtape pioneers Kid Capri, Doo Wop, Ron G and DJ Clue.
His work in films and on the Hip Hop scene has made him popular throughout France and later in Europe.
Recording History
In 1996 Cut Killer debuted with a mix album Hip Hop Soul Party on MCA. The second volume, released later in the year featured exclusive tracks from French artists Fabe and Busta Flex. He then decides to expand his brand and add a second CD to the album, dedicated to R&B. A concept was born: to gather on double CD the best urban music of the moment on one album, with rappers and singers combined in one place. Volumes 1-3 of this series all scan Gold. Cut Killer then decided to move on from MCA, finding a new home for his growing franchise at Sony Music.
The first release on Sony was the Cut Killer Show, Later he released the first French mixtape (only French artists featured) Operation freestyle; once again both albums achieved gold status. He then launched his Double H (HH Productions) record label signing Fabe and quickly released his debut album Detournement de son.
In 1999, he released two albums International R&B 2000 and Double H DJ Crew displaying his musical diversity and the quality of his own production. Also anxious to put forward the French artists of talent, Cut Killer chooses to produce Fabe, Doudou Masta and 113's Princes de la ville which was certified platinum and went on to win two Awards at the 2000 French Music Awards. He then developed Eastory Editions which is the publishing and production arm of Double H.
In 2000, Hip Hop Soul Party Vol.4 (Gold and featured the #1 single for 5 weeks) and Cut Killer initiates many collaborations between French and American artists and successfully launches a series of 12's with Living Legends featuring Cocoa Brovaz. He then produced DJ Cream's album who his known as one of the top DJ's for Californian Hip Hop, entitled California Love. In 2002, Cut Killer diversifies launching two compilations, Ragga Killa Show; and the French focused 1 son 2 rue.
Hip Hop Soul Party 6 appears in 2003, becoming one of the highest selling compilations of that year. Three new compilations are birthed this year, the first alongside DJ Queen P, Where My Ladies At?, Party Jam showcasing old school Hip Hop and HH Classics which featured all of HH's singles. Once again Cut Killer oversees the production on DJ Cream's anticipated California Love 2 .
Albums
1995 Eternal triangle 1996 Lunatic 1996 Hip Hop Soul Party 1997 Hip Hop Soul Party vol.2 1997 Hip Hop Soul Party vol.3 1998 Cut Killer Show 1999 Operation freestyle 2000 Hip Hop Soul Party vol.4 2001 Cut Killer Show II 2002 Hip Hop Soul Party vol.5 2002 Ragga Killa Show 2003 Party Jam 2003 Hip Hop Soul Party vol.6 2004 1 its 2 Street 2005 HH Classics 2006 Cut Killa Show