Name, Location, What You Do: Todd Shima, Sacramento, CA., Teach Ethnic Studies, eat udon, and collect records.

Influences: I have too many influences and my inspiration comes from many sources. 

Favorite Records at the Moment: Magnum- Tell Me Why 7″. Soul Liberation Who Are You LP. Errol Stubbs- Spaced Out On Your Love 7″. Hiram and Direct- Turn It Around 7″. 

Best Digging Story: It’s the ones that got away. 

Favorite Mix and Why. Any Genre, Any DJ. I’d say The Best of Notorious BIG by DJ Mister Cee (without pic on J-card). Big’s first album is one of my favorites and it’s just a moment in time during that 94-95 period in time we’ll never get back. You also have to remember there’s no internet during this time so getting said tape and many others via mail orders from Tape Kingz was such a blessing, especially for me living on the West Coast.

LP, 12”, or 7” format? All the above. Prefer 12″ and 7″ when I deejay, although not a prerequisite. 

 Junk Food You Can’t Live Without: Pizza. And please, pineapple does not belong on pizza. And while I’m at it, cream cheese does not belong in a sushi roll.  

Most Memorable Gig Played: Not sure if it’s memorable. Back in 2005 or so (I don’t remember but I had Scratch Live 1st generation), I was gonna deejay before Jeru Da Damaja went on. Long story short, he needed a deejay for his set. He gave me his music i.e. mp3s and said just follow his lead. I deejayed his whole set, totally impromptu. 

Record That Never Leaves Your Record Box:  Man, I always like to refresh the record bag when I gig out. That said, I see these records in my bag often. Vin Zee- Funky Bebop. Jerry Knight- She’s Got To Be (A Dancer). Jimmy Ross- First True Love Affair. Cherrelle- Saturday Love.

Shout Outs, Last Remarks, and Gig Info: Shout out to my Pops for having a music room in the house when I was young. Shout out to my Moms for letting me store my records at her crib. Shout out to all the record dealers who know I like to spend money. Shout out to those who love me. Follow me on IG Shotgun Shima for all my gig info and random record zaniness. 

Shotgun Shima joins me & Monk-One this month at Shake! at Friends and Lovers in Crown Heights, BK.