Born in Berkeley in the early 1980s and raised throughout the Bay Area, DJ Yao is a Northern Cali kid through and through. He studied Industrial Design at San Francisco State and it was while living in mixed halls he met Cassady Winston, aka DJ Enso, and his trajectory changed. Food quickly became an afterthought as music was consumed and newly-purchased vinyl began wailing out to be played. It wasn’t long before Yao borrowed the keys to his friend’s apartment and began mixing and making beats. Together with another friend they then started releasing tracks on their very own Solos Records and began playing at college parties and warehouses in the area. But between then and now came seven months in Argentina, and a long-standing love affair with London where his parents (Mum is Ghanaian and Dad’s American) met: “I’m not from London but London is a big influence.” His passion for bass music and his musical style certainly give him a distinct British twang too, while remaining true to his US roots. And then when the Great Recession of 2008/09 hit his old friend Cassady encouraged him to up sticks once again, this time to Hong Kong, where in between teaching English and helping out at a cafe in Kowloon called Wontonmeen he rolls around town with the Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy crew. Go check him out whenever you can, it’s a must. Oliver Clasper

What’s your earliest memory of music?
I remember that my mom used to play the Oldies Station. She loves Marvin Gaye, Al Green and West African Highlife music.

What was the first live show you remember going to?
I was 13 and it was the Smokin’ Grooves tour in California: Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, Cypress Hill, maybe De La Soul. That was amazing.

On your last ever set, which three albums or artists would you make sure are in your record bag?
Anything by Fela Kuti. That’s like five tracks cos they’re all like 15 minutes long. I’d play some Erykah Badu, and I’ve been listening to a lot of Kate Bush recently.

What was the stand out party you’ve played at here?
Kode9 was great. I had a really good time. And I felt like everybody who was there wanted to come. Everyone who was there was a head, y’know?

Best venue in Hong Kong?
I’d say it’s under wraps right now but it’s in the works.

What were the standout albums for you last year?
I think Actress’ album Splazsh was great. Flying Lotus is killing it. A lot of the new footwork tracks. I’m really into poly-rhythms and syncopation. It’s ridiculous. Cats like DJ Rashad. And the Caribou album was great too.

What makes you happy?
Music definitely makes me happy. It can put me in a good mood – just dancing around in my room. New ideas and potential. That makes me happy.

What keeps you awake at night?
Footwork tracks. They keep me awake at night [Laughs]. And I’ve been eating a lot of macadamia nuts.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Ah, no guilty pleasures. Whatever I like, I like.

What is your favourite word?
Poise. Because the word sounds like it is. Poise has poise.

Yao plays at Otto Lounge on Fri 4.

DJ Yao (TOHK 72) by Time Out 2

Completeness // Minnie Riperton
Chants // Madlib
TIlt Shift // Mosca
All the Flowers (Lone Remix) // Bibio
GhettoMusick // Outkast
VCR // Tyler, the Creator
Maniac // Kid Cudi
Hitman's Anthem // Lunice
Twistclip Loop // Hudson Mohawke
Oakland Style // Too Short
Ima Burn Him // DJ Nate
Echo's Answer // Broadcast
Penny's Confession // Ras G
Intro (Alt) // J Dilla
When I Feel (Cedaa Remix) // Clicks and Whistles
Bag Lady (Girl Unit Remix) // Erykah Badu
Levels/ Levels (Sonnymoon Remix) // Bilal
I'll Stay // James Blake
Val // DJ Enso
I Can't Get Used to Those // Dimlite