DJ Krush

Japan’s DJ Krush, whose debut disc, 1994’s Strictly Turntablized, ranks with DJ Shadow’s Entroducing as one of abstract instrumental hip-hop’s initial masterstrokes, excels at mixing rock and reggae riffs with robotic rhythms. His discs serve as high-profile open-mic forums, showcasing members of the Roots and MC Inden, who raps in his native Japanese. Only the lyricists’ disembodied voices will appear in Lawrence, but the beat blend should be so explosive that no one will bemoan their absence.