In case you don't know the back story: many years ago, before there was youtube and the proliferation of mix blogs, there was a young deejay who owned a crappy set of Gemini turntables and crappier Gemini mixer. After months and months of practice, this aspiring deejay became increasingly frustrated with his lack of improvement and was frustrated to the point of wanting to quit his musical pursuit. At the same time, a Harlem deejay who was recently relocated to Los Angeles (without his turntables and record collection) went to a Slum Village album release show. While waiting in line for the concert, this Harlem transplant was asked to take his backpack to the car by club security. This Harlem deejay then asked the anonymous guy standing behind him (both men, alone) to hold his spot in line. When the Harlem deejay thanked the anonymous individual behind him for holding his spot, a friendship was born.
Desperate to get on some turntables, the Harlem deejay (better known as Omega:NYC) made his way over to the frustrated deejay's home (aka Pipomixes) a few days later to mess around on his crappy Gemini turntables. While watching his new friend blend beats, rock doubles, and scratch "whoo-ha" like nobody's business, the frustrated deejay was in complete awe of what he was witnessing. Keep in mind, this was before youtube and all the video tutorials that are widely available today. Actually seeing someone properly "get down" on my turntables made all the difference in the world. Not only did it serve to inspire me, but it gave me a visual example of something to mimic and build from. Without that visual example I am sure I would have quit my pursuit of being a deejay similar to the way I gave up on the trumpet back in 4th grade. What a shame that would have been, being a deejay is a big part of who I am. It is has allowed me to develop a passion for music and a general appreciation for art that I don't think I would have if not for my love of mixing records. So if you enjoy this blog, my mixes, or both, you have Omega:NYC to thank.
Another great Kenny Dope mix to start off the week. Hopefully, you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. If not, the good news is that the weekend is now officially over.
Just came up on this mix a few minutes ago. I haven't listened to it yet, but Numark never disappoints. Below is Numark's explanation of the mix.
When you’re headed out the door for your next vacation “Take Me With You”. This mix is intended to travel with you on your next tropical adventure to paint the musical background for your trip.
I was inspired to make a mix that captures funk inspired rhythms from music I’ve collected on my tours/travels around the world. The goal of this mix is to show the rhythmic similarities between Samba, Cumbia, Calypso, Rhumba, Afro-Beat and Balkan Beats in well blended mix.
This mix is way too good not to re-post. Original post below.
We are just beginning to dry-off from a week of straight rain here in socal. For us, that's the equivalent of some apocalyptic event. In the spirit of all that rain, I found this wonderful "rain" themed mix by DJ Steve1der on his soundcloud site.
I love listening to actual "mixtapes" because it reminds me of why I first fell in love with the whole subculture of mixtapes. Music just sounds better when it's being played from a deejay's turntable.
This is an old cassette mixtape that I did in December 1999 for Manhattan Records (one of the best record stores/distributors in Japan at the time).....it was a limited edition mix where you only get purchase it in Japan. They would get different Djs like Dj Spinna & Dj Premier to do an exclusive mix for the Japanese market; I was lucky enough to do one.
Everyone that did a mix for Manhattan Records had their own specific theme....so i had to think of one. Being that the year 2000 was around the corner, I decided to do a classic Hip Hop mix from 1990-1999 & also include some classic West Coast Independent Hip Hop (i actually sneaked in my 1st record that I ever produced on wax with Key-Kool feat Ras Kass & LMNO called 'E=MC5').
I was supposed to do a 2 part series but unfortunately I was able to do only one with the years 1990-1995 (the 2nd series was to be from 1996-1999 but Manhattan Records decided to stop making exclusive cassette mixtapes....hmmm, maybe i should do one still). I actually made this particular mix in the same vein as my 'World Famous Beat Junkies Vol. 2' mix...
Alot of people may have or may have not heard this mix....so ironically, after another 10 years had past, here's a look into an old cassette mix of mine titled "Millenium Countdown".
I know at least 2 of you frequent this blog, if a recorded version of this performance happened to find its way into my inbox, you've got my word that it would go no further than my ears (unless otherwise instructed).
Insightful Large Pro interview with stories about Paul C, Jay-Z, Nas, and the making of "Looking Out the Front Door." College Professor vs. Large Professor at a blog near you.
Edition #2 of the monthly Classic Material series pays tribute to the hip hop of 1988, a year which many consider the 'golden year' of the late 80s.
As samplers took over from drum machines as the producer's tool of choice, the James Brown drum sound ruled supreme and lyrical subject matter explored new territory.
With seminal (and at the time controversial) album releases from the likes of Public Enemy and NWA, this was a year that changed hip hop forever.
This mix takes in classic and some lesser known cuts from singles and albums released in 1988. The CD version includes 2 bonus mixes including "The Breaks of '88", an audio collage of the sample material used in the making of 88's best known hip hop cuts and is available to purchase on its own or as part of our T-Shirt box set from the Classic Material website.
Excellent mix of jazzy grooves. This is the kind of mix you put on after a long, hard day. It's the kind of mix you put on when you want to just cool-out and forget all of life's worries. 28 Roses - Mixed by DJ Mitsu (download)
There are three kinds of break mixes: 1)Break mixes that mix all the same samples that we've heard a million times over on the initial break mixes we first heard. (2) Break mixes that mix music that is so obscure that the music selection flies over the heads of most listeners. (3) Break mixes that mix breaks most of us recognize, but not the usual breaks we've grown tired of hearing. I'd label this mix as #3. Props to DJ Mono for crafting an excellent mix that I found refreshing and enjoyable.
Here's a little behind the scenes video of the process of making a mixtape. I have to say that Ian Head's process is very similar to my own. How about the rest of you? The actual mix is in the post below.
Normally, I wouldn't post such solid mixes on holidays/weekends because those are the site's low traffic days. But, I'm just too amped about finding these mixes that I had to post them. If you've been sleepin', sleep no more. I can't believe it took me so long to discover DJ Nut's blog.
In case you don't know the back story: many years ago, before there was youtube and the proliferation of mix blogs, there was a young deejay who owned a crappy set of Gemini turntables and crappier Gemini mixer. After months and months of practice, this aspiring deejay became increasingly frustrated with his lack of improvement and was frustrated to the point of wanting to quit his musical pursuit. At the same time, a Harlem deejay who was recently relocated to Los Angeles (without his turntables and record collection) went to a Slum Village album release show. While waiting in line for the concert, this Harlem transplant was asked to take his backpack to the car by club security. This Harlem deejay then asked the anonymous guy standing behind him (both men, alone) to hold his spot in line. When the Harlem deejay thanked the anonymous individual behind him for holding his spot, a friendship was born.
