Double K (American musician)

Double K
Birth nameMichael Turner
Also known as
  • DJ Kaos
  • L.A. Mike
  • Hale Bop
  • Big Mike
  • Mike Burner
  • K Jackson
  • Kidd Drunkadelic
  • Dub K
  • Boogie
Born(1977-08-01)August 1, 1977
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJanuary 30, 2021(2021-01-30) (aged 43)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
Instruments
Years active1997–2021
WebsitePUTS.Band – Official PUTS Artist Page

Michael Turner (August 1, 1977 – January 30, 2021), best known as Double K,[1] was an American rapper, producer and DJ. As one half of the hip hop duo People Under the Stairs, he appeared on 12 studio albums in addition to a number of singles, extended plays and compilations. He also released one instrumental solo album, Clinophobia (While You Were Sleeping) (2017), under his moniker L.A. Mike.

Early life

Michael Turner was born in Hollywood and raised in West Los Angeles on Crescent Heights Blvd. His father, Michael Turner Sr. was a drummer and musician. Turner was introduced to an eclectic mix of records at an early age by both his father and mother. He attended Saturn Street Elementary School, where he won the 1985 talent show by performing a Fat Boys cover.[2]

Turner attended Alexander Hamilton High School alongside Murs, Scarub, and Eligh, who he would collaborate with during their early musical career as Log Cabin.[3] Turner first started out as a DJ getting introduced to the techniques, components, and different styles of DJing from DJ Sweat. As well as featuring on records, he performed at high school functions and house parties under the alias DJ Kaos before pursuing a rap career and taking on the name Double K from the character Kenny "Double K" Kirkland from the film Beat Street.[4]

Career

Turner was a producer and DJ for People Under the Stairs, Villain Park, Kidd Lexus, and Blvme. He was the older brother of Villain Park group member Smoke, rapper Pookie Blow and first cousin of Los Angeles producer, Computer Jay. He produced the first solo song by Murs called "Red Dots" in 1996.[5][6] His musical aliases include DJ Kaos, L.A. Mike, Hale Bop, K Jackson, Kidd Drunkadelic, Dub K and Boogie.

Double K was a lifelong Parliament-Funkadelic fan and an official member of George Clinton's Funk Mob.[7]

Death

On January 30, 2021, Turner died at his home in Los Angeles, California.[8][9] On the second anniversary of Turner's death, rapper/producer and longtime collaborator Thes One of People Under the Stairs released the instrumental album Farewell, my friend, as an homage to the late rapper.[10]

Discography

People Under the Stairs albums

Main article: People Under the Stairs discography

Solo albums

  • Clinophobia (While You Were Sleeping) (as "L.A. Mike", 2017)[11]

Mixtape compilations

  • I Ain't Gettin' Better (as "DJ Double K", 2000)
  • Uhh, I Hope Y'all Got Your Sunglasses On Out There... (as "LA Mike", 2002)[12]
  • Doin' What We Do, The Way We Do When We Do What We Do... (with A.C. the PD, 2005)[13]
  • The Family Circus Mixtape (The Aesthetics Crew, 2012)[14]

Solo tracks

  • "Livin' a Mean One" (On Top of the World, 2002)[15]
  • "Livin' a Mean One (The New Gangsta Gangsta)" (Ssence, 2003)[16]
  • "Skit" (Ssence, 2003)[16]
  • "The Mike Turner Story" (Ssence, 2003)[16]
  • "Smoking a Blunt" (Natural Fun, 2004)[17]
  • "Face to Face" (Taking Me Places 7", 2008)[18]
  • "Bonus Beat" (Taking Me Places 7", 2008)[18]

Posthumous releases

  • The Double O (with Dooley O, 2022)[19]

References

  1. ^ "The party's over, as hip-hop lifers People Under the Stairs talk calling it quits". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Ep. 81 – Double K (PUTS), retrieved February 1, 2023
  3. ^ Log Cabin / Universouls – LA Experimental / Westcoast Underground (1995, Cassette), retrieved February 12, 2021
  4. ^ Lathan, Stan (June 6, 1984), Beat Street (Drama, Music), Rae Dawn Chong, Guy Davis, Jon Chardiet, Leon W. Grant, Orion Pictures, retrieved February 11, 2021
  5. ^ 3 Melancholy Gypsys / Murs – Comurshul (1996, Cassette), retrieved February 12, 2021
  6. ^ "Murs on Instagram: "Mike was the first kid I knew who had as many records as me. He had way more. Mike was the first producer to give me a beat to rap on solo. Red Dots. Mike was the first DJ to scratch on a song for me. Melancholy Manuscripts. The first show/Club I ever threw was in a basement of a church with Mike. Grace United on Slauson. Fuck... The coolest, not like bs popular but a solid chill ass nigga no matter the situation. I still have never had a funnier friend He told a girl in high school she looked like an "African cloud turtle" he told another dude his hair looked like "suede fox ass" ... 27 years later I still tear up laughing One of the first dudes I met who loved boombap but kept it unapologeticly West Coast. One few who truly understood my bumperhead Crip ass. He found space to honor the culture's NY roots while still repping LA to the fullest. The first in the game to rock a Dodger hat like they did the Yankee(K) fitted. So, years later when I got on a 9th Wonder track that reminded me of the Preemo and Pete Rock tracks we used to geek out over. I knew it would be on wax and I knew I HAD to shout my nigga Mikey out... I am still from and will forever be "from the home of Double K" This is your city Big Mike we just live in it. Love u bro."".
  7. ^ "Double K of People Under the Stairs passes away". REVOLT. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Gotrich, Lars (February 2021). "Double K, People Under The Stairs Rapper And Producer, Dead At 43". NPR.org. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  9. ^ "Double K, People Under the Stairs rapper, dies aged 43". The Guardian. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Wang, Oliver (January 26, 2023). "A hip-hop sendoff like no other: How Thes One turned tragedy into an extraordinary album". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  11. ^ LA Mike – Clinophobia (2018, Vinyl), retrieved February 10, 2021
  12. ^ LA Mike – Uhh, I Hope Y'all Got Your Sunglasses On Out There (CD), retrieved February 10, 2021
  13. ^ The A.C. The Program Director And Double K – Doin' What We Do, The Way We Do When We Do What We Do... (CDr), retrieved February 10, 2021
  14. ^ The Aesthetics Crew – The Family Circus Mixtape (2012, All Media), retrieved February 12, 2021
  15. ^ On Top Of The World (2002, CD), retrieved February 10, 2021
  16. ^ a b c "Various – Ssence". Discogs. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Natural Fun – Hip Hop From California (2004, CD), retrieved February 10, 2021
  18. ^ a b Olde Soul | Double K – Taking Me Places / Face To Face (2008, Split, Vinyl), retrieved February 10, 2021
  19. ^ Dooley O & Double K – The Double O, retrieved February 1, 2023