John Kong
It was the love for music... Okay let’s be honest here — it was the obsession which led Toronto DJ, producer and promoter John Kong down the record label path. After decades of collecting, playing and breaking records, John finally decided to trust his instincts and his keen ear and started up Do Right Music in 2002, a record label dedicated to eclectic sounds and versatility.
Before the birth of the label, John was already well-known in Toronto as an expert of jazz, rare groove, deep funk and soul. It was then when John connected with other music aficionados: Jason Palma, A Man Called Warwick, Nav and Aki. Together, the group founded the globally renowned DJ collective Movement in 1998. Assembling on a monthly basis, this event captured that back-in-the-day, sweaty, explosive and exciting vibe of people getting down to the sounds of future classics and old rarities. It was an exhilarating time as a new scene was taking hold and all those involved could feel the energy that surrounded Movement.
In the latter part of the ‘90s, John took the Movement aesthetic and started up another night known as the Do Right! Revue, a live music event that showcased up and coming bands and musicians. “At the time the electronic scene dominated all the parties”, says John. “I felt something was missing and I wanted to bring back the live funk and soul element to the clubs.” With this new found direction and knack for discovering ground-breaking artists, John turned the Do Right! Revue into Do Right Music!
The Do Right! label has become known for innovative releases and a wide range of sound and styles, spanning many genres of music. “The label reflects the kind of music I like”, explains John. “As a DJ, I spin everything from jazz to hip-hop and soul to leftfield techno. Do Right! is very personal to me and I would never sign a track that I wouldn’t play out or listen to myself.”
It was the love of music that propelled John Kong into the music industry and it’s still that same love that keeps him on a quest to discover new music and talent to share with the world.
