Anouar Hajoui, a talented Moroccan-born French DJ and record producer, is professionally recognized and affectionately known by his stage names, DJ Cut Killer or simply Cut Killer. With a remarkable and eclectic range of hip hop music to his credit, he has established himself as a prominent and influential figure within the French hip hop scene, boasting an impressive career spanning over fifteen years.
As a young Parisian, Hajoui's formative years were marked by an intense passion for music and a deep commitment to social activism, which ultimately led him to become an integral part of the burgeoning Parisian hip-hop movement.
He joined IZB, a pioneering organization that aimed to promote and celebrate hip-hop culture through the organization of concerts and events, and made a significant contribution to the 1991 album of the renowned group Original MC, by lending his skills as a skilled turntablist, expertly delivering scratches that added a unique layer of depth and complexity to the album's sonic landscape.
In addition to his work in music, Hajoui also made a memorable appearance as himself in a pivotal scene from the cult classic film La Haine, a gritty and influential work of cinematic art that has left an indelible mark on French popular culture.
Furthermore, Hajoui's talents as a DJ and turntablist were in high demand, and he was soon in high demand, serving as the resident DJ for the renowned French rapper MC Solaar, and also lending his skills as a scratcher on the solo album of IAM member Akhenaton, a highly respected figure in the French hip-hop scene.
Finally, Hajoui's passion for music and his commitment to the hip-hop movement led him to become a radio host on Radio Nova, a prominent French radio station that has a long history of supporting and promoting underground and alternative music, allowing him to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for hip-hop with a wider audience.
As the mid-1990s unfolded, Cut Killer had already solidified his reputation as a renowned and industrious DJ, leveraging his creative prowess to spearhead the popularization of New York hip-hop in France.
Through the medium of his meticulously crafted mix tapes, Cut Killer skillfully curated a sonic tapestry that showcased the latest releases and freestyles from the burgeoning French rap scene.
These coveted mix tapes quickly gained a reputation as highly sought-after and prized collector's items, with a significant number of notable French rappers passing through his extensive network, including the influential collective Sages Poètes de la Rue, the enigmatic Lunatic, and the trailblazing 113.
The Hip Hop Soul Party series, a compilation of double mixed CDs, was initially introduced in 1996 by MCA, a renowned music label. This groundbreaking series, which has continued to evolve over the years, has been instrumental in showcasing a diverse range of talented artists, both established and up-and-coming.
As the series progressed, with the release of the second volume onwards, exclusive tracks began to surface, courtesy of notable artists such as Fabe, Busta Flex, and others. This marked a significant development in the series, as it allowed listeners to gain exposure to fresh and innovative sounds.
The format of the series underwent a slight transformation, with one CD dedicated to hip-hop and the other to R&B. This clever division enabled listeners to indulge in their preferred genre without having to navigate through a multitude of tracks.
The third volume of the series took a bold step forward, featuring a CD dedicated to international hip-hop and another to French hip-hop. This move not only expanded the series' geographical scope but also provided a unique opportunity for listeners to explore the diverse hip-hop scenes from around the world.
By doing so, the Hip Hop Soul Party series has successfully bridged the gap between different cultures and genres, creating a platform for artists to showcase their talents and for listeners to discover new and exciting sounds.
Cut Killer, a renowned rapper, founded a label called Double H, a merchandising company, which later transformed into a production label, after the passing of his close friend and fellow rapper, East.
In a remarkably short period, Double H emerged as one of the most influential independent record labels on the market, leaving a lasting impact.
When Cut Killer shifted from Universal to Small (Sony),the Hip-Hop Soul Party project evolved into the Cut Killer Show, with the release of the first double CD in 1997, followed by Operation Freestyle in 1998, a record dedicated to the French underground scene.
In 1999, Cut Killer and his associates produced R&B 2000, a collective album featuring respected artists such as Fabe, Doudou Masta, and 113. This album achieved platinum record status and secured two "Victoires de la Musique" awards in the year 2000.
