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Green Lantern

Davena Mok

Eminem seems to be the man of the moment in Hong Kong's hip-hop scene. Although the controversial rapper hasn't made it to our shores, members of his extended Shady clan are becoming regular visitors. After recent gigs featuring Whoo Kid (of Eminem's G-Unit crew) and 45 King (producer of his award-winning Stan single), Green Lantern hits town next Friday for his debut gig at Ing.

Known as Eminem's official DJ since joining his Anger Management concert tour in 2002, Green Lantern is also well known in New York for his mixtapes. Awarded Mixtape DJ of the Year at the Mixshow Power Summit 2004 in Puerto Rico, the Rochester native is setting himself up for a solid future in the hip-hop business: as a rising producer under the guise of The Evil Genius and as an artist signed to Eminem's Shady Records label.

Due to release his first solo artist album, Armageddon, this spring, Green Lantern has spent the past decade mastering the art of mixtape compilations. These underground releases (controversial because the makers rarely pursue copyright clearances) play a pivotal role in the hip-hop industry. They help to push new talent, experiment with song cuts and sounds, and feature voiceovers from guest celebrities.

'Without mixtapes, a lot of artists wouldn't be around,' he says. 'Mixtapes are more important than music videos, and flyers won't do it.'

For DJs such as Green Lantern, Clue, Envy and Kayslay, the mixtape is also an excellent self-promotional tool. The creators can show off their song-selection skills, turntable techniques, personalities and celebrity pals. The street buzz surrounding Green Lantern proved to be his ticket to fame. 'Apparently, Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg, first got my stuff off the street,' he says.

Mixtapes give fans a unique insight into the hip-hop world. In Green Lantern's Invasion tapes, club tracks are broken up with bites of Eminem's well-publicised verbal spats with rivals Ja Rule and Benzino. 'I'm putting the 'mix' back into mixtape on a major level,' he says. 'I'm trying to step it up and fill a void no one else could do. But more so, it's just me doing what I want to do.'

Green Lantern spent the first half of the 1990s perfecting his turntable skills and party sets, releasing his first mixtape in 1996. These days, he hosts a weekly radio show, In the Lab, every Tuesday night. When not touring with Eminem and his Shady crew, the DJ-producer is still peddling his name on the street and pushing musical boundaries.

DJ Green Lantern in Tha Lab, Feb 25, 10pm, Ing, $180 (advance, HMV), $220 (door). Inquiries: 2838 3690 or 6181 0443

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