DJ

There is an often used quote in rap and Hop Hop songs, “rappers want to be actors.”  Well, it appears that nowadays a lot of rappers want to be DJs.  There is a growing trend of emcees and other Hip Hoppers (and other famous people) using their fame and notoriety to land DJ gigs . Talib Kweli, Travie McCoy, Lupe Fiasco are just a few names I’ve seen pop up for DJ sets in the past years and months. What these “DJ gigs” entail can vary greatly.  It can go all the way from said famous person trainwrecking their way through a set, talking from the booth while a real DJ programs their playlist, or on rare occasions, said emcee/producer/musician actually being dope.  With a plethora of whackness out there, we reached out to some our DJ homies for a list of emcees and producers that actually know their way around the 1’s and 2’s.

Hit the jump to see our list.  Also, producers with DJ in their name were excluded on purpose i.e. DJ Babu, DJ Muggs, DJ Revolution…

Quest Love

?uestlove

Many know ?uestlove as the drummer and band leader of The Roots crew, but he is also known to do his thing on the decks.  Music selection and playing a wide range of records are staple of ?uestlove sets.  He’s been around music his whole life, and it definitely shows he steps behind the tables.

Just Blaze

Just Blaze

I saw Just Blaze DJ for the first time at the 2007 PHLI Block Party.  He DJ right after me, and I didn’t know what to expect.  He really blew my mind, juggling, transforming, and mixing in an intense hour long set.  Blaze put the headphones on and zoned out, no talking to people, no daps, no nothing.  Let alone this dude can spin a hefty set off his own catalog alone.

Jake One

Jake One

Jake One’s production stock continues to rise.  The Seattle-based producer is a mainstay in the underground circuit and has mainstay his indie following and aesthetic despite being amongst Sha Money’s stable of G-Unit producers.  Indianpolis’ DJ Metrognome speaks highly of Jake on the 1’s and 2’s, after DJing with the man behind White Van Music twice.  “He’s plenty clean on the mixing,” Metrognome told me.  If Metrognome says it, it must be true.

Nina Sky

Nina Sky

Nina Sky had a few radio hits, but their DJ grind is what is truely impressive about this duo.  Metrognome tells me, “they actually can spin AND they sing on the mic over tracks, pretty cool.”  Yes, that is pretty cool.  Pretty cool indeed.

Hollywood Holt

Hollywood Holt

Hollywood Holt is a local favorite on the 1’s and 2’s.  His sets get continually cleaner, and his musical library is vast.  He’s known for the enthusiasm and energy he brings to his live sets, and the DJs sets are no exception.

EDan

Edan

Edan is the truth.  The man behind Beauty and The Beat is actually a triple threat emcee, producer, and DJ.  He spends a lot of time overseas, so if you get to see him in your local city don’t miss it.

J-Live

J-Live

J-Live produced a cult classic of an LP with All of The Above released in the early 2000’s.  The teacher turned emcee is also a highly respected DJ, selected by Mr. Goodness himself, Rude 1, for this list.  As I said for the Metrognome above, if Rude 1 says you’re dope… enough said.

Diamond D

Diamond D

Diamond D famously said that he was “the best producer on the mic”, and alone with Just Blaze above, he’s could lay claim to being one of the best producers on the decks.  I last saw Diamond D at The Shrine where he played classic soul and funk, adding interludes, doubles and more.  Catch Diamond D on a good night, and you won’t regret it.

Q-Tip

Q-Tip

Diddy once called Q-Tip his favorite DJ, and the Abstract has been steadily working on his turntable 1-2 check.  I caught Tip at Sanots a few summers ago, early on in the Q-Tip as a DJ hype.  What he lacked at that time in technical skill, he made up for in knowing what to do.  With a few more years of execution, Q-Tip is perfecting yet another facet of Hip Hop culture.

Lord Finesse

Lord Finesse

Lord Finesse joins D.I.T.C member Diamond D on this list, also praised by DJ Rude 1 for his DJing ability.  He doesn’t tour as much as Diamond D on the decks, but when he comes to your town you expect some goodness.

Biz Markie

Biz Markie

How could we make this list and leave off OG emcee/DJ Biz Markie.  I’ve seen the Biz plenty of times, and admittedly, his enthusiasm level has varied.  When he’s not really into it, you maybe scratching your head as to his acclaim and appeal, but when Biz really starts going his song selection and versatility shine.

Alchemist

Alchemist

Alchemist is kind of similar to Q-Tip.  They both know “what to do”, it’s the execution that is steadily improving.  I’ve DJ’ed with Alchemist twice via Rude 1, and Al definitely brings out the crowd and serves a hot portion of grimey Hip Hop jams as well as old school funk.