FROM THE M
Award winning DJ ~ Writer ~ Producer ~ Remixer ~ Billboard reporter — Born
and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.... my love for music started at the
age of 11, when I won my first record collection from a local radio contest.
After voraciously collecting for about 5 years, I got my first DJ job at
the age of 16 in a Bourbon Street club. The jazz culture of New Orleans perpetuated
my love for music of all styles. In high school and college, I studied music
theory, learned the guitar.... and went on the be trained in the opera, performing
leading roles for numerous regional productions. I have also had extensive
training in video editing & production, with many of my visual works
being seen in clubs all over the world. Also, I was one of the first "VJs" in
the country to actually beatmix music video (VHS!), before all this technology
made it so easy for practically everyone. In an age where technology compromises
talent, I have always tried to remain true to my musical roots while taking
my skills to the next level.
After spinning in the deep South for a while, I moved to NYC
in 94-95, at the peak of the club frenzy, immersing myself in the presence
of some of my most revered influences. Since then, I've proven myself in
many of the prominent clubs in NY nightlife, and have maintained my career
primarily here in the Big Apple. In addition to occasional remix projects,
I have been writing & producing. My first songwriting effort resulted
in a grande prize songwriting award for Billboard magazine in 2001.... that
song ("Resurrect Me") was signed to the legendary West End recording label,
which spawned the famous DJ Larry Levan & Paradise Garage. Then again
in 2004, I won an additional Billboard songwriting award with another original
piece, "He Gives More". In 2005, I celebrated the launch of my own record
label, Rambunctious Recordings, with the collaborative efforts of Warren
Rigg; together we are known as Raw Deal (Warren is also known for his work
with DJ & Producer Tony Moran). Since then, I've produced & remixed
many songs for release, resulting in several top 40 Billboard dance singles.
With over 50,000 records and CDs to my collection, my training
has been vast and influential, with genres including house, disco, electro,
tribal, circuit, classics, soul, funk, rock, new wave, alternative, trance,
techno and so on. While many DJs & producers adhere to one "style", I
try to draw from an eclectic well of experience, and apply all that inspires
me to create distinct moods. I never understood why some people feel as though
ANY DJ or musician should be "boxed in" or pigeonholed.... I grew up in an
culture of diversity, and so the music was always a changing force in my
life. Every party, event & occasion is unique; each one demands an appropriate
sound.... and with that, the redundancy and consistency of trends create
a common thread which can tie the entire spectrum of sound together, and
that's what I strive for.... range, drive and flow. This may sound a bit
complicated, but basically it's about balance. And without diversity, balance
just doesn't exist! |