This is the fifth in a week long series of Hip Hop Slam Blogs covering the Hip Hop Slam presents Positive Omen Japan Tour 2011 featuring DJ ALF, DnZ, Mista B, and DJ Quest. It is a report courtesy of DJ ALF on Day Four of the tour which took the four visiting American DJs from Osaka to Okinawa in Japan. Coincidentally Okinawa is the very same place that ALF was based in when he lived in Japan a few years ago. The gig ALF and the other DJs played tonight (Friday, August 12th) was at a club called Salt N Pepper (no, nothing to do with the old school female rap crew Salt N Pepa) and it was followed by an after party with the DJs. “Our trip to Okinawa started off with an hour bus ride from our hotel in Osaka,” reported ALF. “The bus was very comfortable. We were checking out the different stuff that it featured. One of the highlights featured was the flip down seat which is used in case the bus gets filled up. Later we arrived at the airport and was amazed how the security check line personnel was very helpful. They help placing your bags in the bins and make sure that you’re squared away before going through the metal detector. For the most part their attitudes looked positive in terms of liking their jobs.”

“So we arrive at Naha Airport in Okinawa and traveled through very heavy traffic. The drive from Naha to Mihama, where the Salt and Pepper gig is located, normally takes about 45 minutes but this time took about an hour and a quarter to get there. Part of the reason was due to the Japanese celebrating Obon Festival. With that being said there was unfortunately a low number turnout to Salt N Pepper and the afterparty. On a positive note, our set turned out pretty good. The people that were in attendance were very pleased at our performances. Later, DnZ ripped up shop at the afterparty at Ototoro. At one point, DnZ was party rocking while Quest, Mista-B, and myself cutting over the beats. Overall, it was great for me personally to visit my second home, Okinawa. Well next we are off to Roppongi to play at Super Deluxe, Saturday.”

The video below is the four DJs on the bus (also Alex – DJ Quest’s son is on board the bus) with “flip seats” and video at top of blog is of DJ Quest at Salt N Pepper club.Check back here on the Hip Hop Slam Blog Saturday (USA time) for another report on the Hip Hop Slam presents Positive Omen Tour of Japan 2011 with a report on the Saturday night (Japan time) show in Rappongi at Super Deluxe. Then on Sunday will be a review/report of the touring DJs (Quest, Mista B, DnZ, ALF) group showcase performance at the East Japan DMC Finals. Thanks for reading and for supporting the turntable arts.