|
It’s been a long ride… 18 years and counting but I’m a start from the beginning so you can understand what brings us here, now.
I love music. Not just Hip Hop, all music. That element was always present dating back to my childhood. It’s one of the only things that I have a passion for & never gets dull. I was born in October 1979. So I was an 80’s baby & all that music (funk, soul, new wave, rock, hip hop, house) from then has been the soundtrack for my life. I always played with the records. Even before I knew what djing was. I was amazed with sound they made when I would move them back & forth at different speeds.
I got into Hip Hop around 87-88. Run DMC “Run’s House” & Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock “It Takes Two” were my 1st hip hop LP’s. I was easily hooked. It was then I saw & heard what djing was. I knew that’s what I wanted to be when I got older. I officially started djing around 1991-92. I was 11 years old.
Throughout the years I practiced & stayed focused. I did what I could to acquire any equipment & records. It wasn’t until 1997 that I finally got my own brand new Technics 1200’s. Until then I had to relay on my friends DJ’s Obi-One & Adam Bomb. They had equipment before me & would let me practice & make mix tapes. We did all the parties for our friends & eventually did a few small clubs in the area. I graduated high school in ‘97 & my dj equipment was my gift from my family.
I did the mobile parties & did a bunch of local spots. Eventually, I was invited for an audition at Babylon, a new, poppin’ club on Delaware Ave. I went to the audition & played for a few. They were impressed & I got the gig. That was the beginning of building my rep in the city. From that point dozens of clubs, celebrity parties, & a few radio station positions followed. I competed in some local battles & always placed in the top 3. Battling was fun but I enjoyed playing for crowds more, so I stayed in that lane & mastered my craft to be one of the best DJ’s in that field.
I’m a turntablist at heart. That’s what intrigued me to dj. That element is always present & pivotal in my style. Accompanied by mixing & song selection, that’s the total package for what real djing is. I grew up around the pioneer dj’s here in Philly (Ran, Cosmic Kev, Jay Ski, Gary O, etc.). Most of them are older then me & wiser in the game. Those guys combined with some of my other dj friends from around the world created the blueprint for what I was to become.
Those mentors were the perfect setup for me to put together the city’s 1st turntablist crew, THE SKRATCH MAKANIKS. Jay Ski, Sat One, Kwestion, Akitve, Adam Bomb & myself were the original members founded in 2000. The main goal was to help each other achieve success in our music careers & to give each other guidance when needed.
We branched out & Bee, Jey One, Spinbad, A.Vee, Jey One, Impulse & K.D. are now members of the Makaniks as well. All of these dj’s play an important roll in our careers. We look up to each other & respect the technique we all posses. We learn from one & other & keep each other on our toes.
Finally, I had a full roster & my next step was traveling. I already played pretty much all the venues here. Jay Ski, Aktive & myself were fortunate enough to secure a spot on a national tour with Kool. It featured, Busta Rhymes, Miri Ben-Ari, The Roots, & The Gap Band. It was great exposure for us. I was excited to have more traveling time.
Playing in cities from Las Vegas to New York, Los Angeles to Miami, Canada to The Bahamas & Atlantic City are just some of the places I’ve rocked. Celebrities, Models, Hollywood & music moguls are just some of the crowds I play for. Scenesters, Hip Hop aficionado’s, teenagers, & young professionals make up the other half of the parties. I’m not fully satisfied, though, there’s still the rest of the world to conquer.
Which brings us here. 3 months ago, I moved from Philly to Los Angeles. I worked my way around Philly & was at a ceiling for quite some time. I finally got up the nerve to reach out & pursue something greater. I’m still djing, remixing, producing & working with all of the things that music has to offer. I feel good about my move & have already been playing around in the LA socialite scene.
For more up to date info on my music & whereabouts, you can go to www.djexcel.com
|
