The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for music .(March 2021) |
DJ.Fresh | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Marqus Brown |
Also known as | The World's Freshest |
Born | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | November 2, 1981
Origin | Oakland/Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Music producer, DJ |
Instrument(s) | |
Years active | Late 1990s – present |
Labels |
|
Website | theworldsfreshest |
Marqus Brown, known as DJ Fresh (now stylised as DJ.Fresh), is an American hip hop DJ and producer based in Oakland and Los Angeles, California. [2] Acclaim for his work includes being named to XXL magazine's 30 Best Hip-Hop Producers of 2016. [3] In 2005, DJ.Fresh began releasing his The Tonite Show series of mixtapes, which have featured artists such as Mistah F.A.B., Raekwon, The Jacka, Yukmouth, Freddie Gibbs and Curren$y. He has also released a number of mixtapes and has produced albums for other artists. His 2013 collaboration with J. Stalin, Miracle & Nightmare on 10th Street , peaked at #61 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #28 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. [4]
Marqus Brown was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. [2] While an adolescent in Baltimore he became immersed in hip hop culture, and he started mixing vinyl on turntables at age nine. [1] Among his early musical influences were soul, hip hop, and jazz artists popular in the 1970s and 1980s, including Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, and the Gap Band. [1]
He moved with his mother and siblings to the San Francisco Bay Area in California [5] at nine years old. [2] The crew battled and performed around the Bay Area. [1]
DJ.Fresh's first major break was DJing at a show in San Francisco with Common at the age of 18, and shortly afterwards he Deejayed on two tours for the rapper Nas. [1] He began producing his own music as well, creating beats with turntables and a digital audio workstation. [2] In 1999 he was named the 3rd best DJ in the US by ITF (International Turntablist Federation). [2]
While he initially mixed with the moniker DJ Fresh, he adopted the name The World's Freshest, and later stylised his name to DJ.Fresh to avoid confusion with DJ Fresh, the English producer of the same name. [1]
In 2005 DJ.Fresh started "The Tonite Show" album series, where he produces albums with guest artists that have since included Freddie Gibbs, the Jacka, the Grouch, J-Stalin, Yukmouth, Mitchy Slick, E-40, [2] and Raekwon. [1]
His 2014 Tonite Show release with Trae Tha Truth received a positive review from RapReviews.com, who stated the album "shows glimpses of a nice little partnership brewing". [6]
In 2006 DJ.Fresh began producing for a number of major artists, starting with the album The Real World West Oakland by J. Stalin. In the next two years he worked on albums by Shady Nate and Bicasso as well, and that later extended to artists such as Mitchy Slick. [7] He won Best West Coast Producer in 2009–10. [2] As of 2010 he ran the Whole Shabang production team, with producers such as Jamon Dru, Mr. Tower, Sneaky Mike, Face the Music, Mike Rimzo, Scandal Beats & Young Gully. [5]
Miracle & Nightmare On 10th Street is a double disc collaboration album between J. Stalin and DJ.Fresh, released on July 16, 2013. It peaked at #61 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #28 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. [4]
He also released the album Feet Match the Paint with Mitchy Slick in 2013, [8] and in 2014 he released his Boomin' System Mixtape, which has guest artists such as Scarface and Kendrick Lamar. The mixtape was received positively, and a review by Complex praised the variety and unpredictability of the production styles. [9]
DJ.Fresh incorporates a variety of styles in his production, including hip hop, EDM, house, jazz, and R&B, though he self-identifies as more of an R&B than a hip hop producer. [1] He uses analog equipment including turntables and vinyl, and a MIDI controller keyboard. He also uses Ableton Live and occasionally brings in live instrumentation. [1]
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating new music, sound effects, mixes and other creative sounds and beats, typically by using two or more turntables and a cross fader-equipped DJ mixer. The mixer is plugged into a PA system and/or broadcasting equipment so that a wider audience can hear the turntablist's music. Turntablists typically manipulate records on a turntable by moving the record with their hand to cue the stylus to exact points on a record, and by touching or moving the platter or record to stop, slow down, speed up or, spin the record backwards, or moving the turntable platter back and forth, all while using a DJ mixer's crossfader control and the mixer's gain and equalization controls to adjust the sound and level of each turntable. Turntablists typically use two or more turntables and headphones to cue up desired start points on different records.
Douglas Davis, known professionally as Doug E. Fresh, is a Barbados-born American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer, also known as the "Human Beat Box". The pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, lips, gums, throat, tongue and a microphone.
Jerold Dwight Ellis III, better known by his stage name Yukmouth, is an American rapper. He is the founder of The Regime, Smoke-A-Lot Records and Godzilla Entertainment.
Quik Is The Name is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist and producer DJ Quik, released by Profile Records on January 15, 1991. Production was mainly handled by DJ Quik himself along with his executive producers Courtney Branch and Tracy Kendrick. Recording sessions took place throughout 1990 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $30,000.
The Regime is an American hip hop collective created by Yukmouth in 1997, and originally included fellow rappers Tech N9ne, Phats Bossi, Madmax, Poppa LQ, Dizzle Don and Govnormatic. Not long after the original formation, Gonzoe of rap group Kausion and Lil Ke also joined. The group is signed to Yukmouth's Smoke-A-Lot Records, and share that label's dragon logo.
Donald Cannon is an American DJ, record producer, songwriter, and record executive. Cannon is a co-founder of the Atlantic Records imprint, Generation Now. He was also a member of the prominent Atlanta mixtape collective, Aphilliates Music Group, with his long-time collaborator and fellow Generation Now founder, DJ Drama. Over the course of his career, Cannon has produced tracks and albums for artists like Jeezy, Logic, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, 50 Cent, and numerous others. He also served as the Vice President of A&R at Def Jam Recordings.
Charles Mitchell, known professionally as Mitchy Slick, is an American rapper from Southeast San Diego, California. He is a member of the rap supergroup Strong Arm Steady, along with rappers Phil Da Agony and Krondon. He performs solo with three albums released in addition to many collaborations. Mitchell is the CEO of Wrongkind Records.
Jovan Smith, better known by his stage name J. Stalin, is an American rapper from the Cypress Village housing projects in West Oakland. In 2007, he signed to Zoo Entertainment Production Company run by artist Mekanix, who described his style as a variant of hyphy known as "Go".
Strong Arm Steady, often referred to as SAS, is a hip hop group in California's underground hip hop scene. As of December 2009, the act consists of members Phil Da Agony, Krondon, of Los Angeles, and Mitchy Slick of San Diego, California. Originally an amorphous collective of at least eight, formed as an alternative to the gang-focused productions of West Coast rap's then-dominant Death Row Records, SAS pared down to four members for recording in the studio and performing live, with Xzibit as the frontman. Since he left the group in 2006, the three remaining members have been a stable trio.
Tear Gas is the fourth studio album by American rapper The Jacka. It was released on June 16, 2009 through The Artist Records/SMC Recordings. Recording sessions took place at 17 Hertz Studios in Hayward and at Skyblaze Studios in Emeryville. Production was handled by MG, Roblow, Bedrock, Traxamillion, Cellski, Jeffro, Joe Millionaire, Kareem K, Lee Bannon, Lee Majors, Stagmata and The Inkredibles, with The Jacka serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Ampichino, Andre Nickatina, AP.9, Cellski, Cormega, Devin the Dude, Dubb 20, E-40, Freeway, J. Stalin, Jynx, Krondon, Masspike Miles, Matt Blaque, Mistah F.A.B., Mitchy Slick, Paul Wall, Phil da Agony, Planet Asia, Rydah J. Klyde, Sky Balla and Zion I. The album debuted at number 93 on the US Billboard 200, with 5,800 copies sold in its first week of release.
Jae Synth is an American music video director, music producer and disc jockey from Sacramento, California
James "Husalah" Ratliff, is an American rapper from Pittsburg, California. He began his career with the Pittsburg group the Mob Figaz, whose first album, C-Bo's Mob Figaz, was released in 1999. Like his late close friend The Jacka, Husalah is a Muslim, and frequently references Islam in his lyrics. He has released three solo studio albums, as well as numerous group projects.
Lorenzo King, best known by his stage name Renz Julian, is an American rapper, producer, and founder of Field of Dreamz Ent. Formerly known as Playa Renz, the Bay Area native originates from the cities of Oakland, Antioch, and San Jose, California. He is currently signed to Field of Dreamz Ent./Empire Distribution. He is known for his singles Clap, Clap featuring Clyde Carson, produced by Traxamillion, and Pop n' Lock remix featuring Twista, and E-40. Tom Slick, formerly of Collipark Music, produced the song. King also played college football at St. Mary's College of California, then professional arena football for the Rapid City Flying Aces of the now defunct NIFL.
Miracle & Nightmare on 10th Street is a double-disc collaboration album between American rapper J. Stalin and producer DJ Fresh, released on 16 July 2013. Both the Miracle and Nightmare discs were originally released as two separate albums. It peaked at #61 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #28 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. Miracle & Nightmare on 10th Street is DJ Fresh's first charting album to date and is also one of J. Stalin's most successful to date. It features a guest appearance from Freddie Gibbs. Music videos have been filmed for "Torta" featuring Lil Retro, "Dopegame" featuring L'Jay and "P.O.L.O. ".
Good to Be Home is a studio album by American hip hop recording artist Blu. The album was released on May 19, 2014, by New World Color and Nature Sounds. Good to Be Home features guest appearances from Fashawn, Casey Veggies, Prodigy, Mitchy Slick, Phil Da Agony, Pac Div, Imani, The Visionaries, Oh No, The Alchemist, Evidence, Planet Asia, and Krondon among others. It was produced in its entirety by Bombay.
Lady ILE, is an American rapper and emcee based in Los Angeles. She released her debut EP 1st Impression in 2011, and in 2014 released "Still Turnt Up," a collaborative single with DJ Fresh. She has also collaborated as a primary artist, composer, or vocalist with artists such as Droop E, Cousin Fik, Prince Lefty, J Stalin, King Bam Bubbi, Sleyv, Stevie Joe, Planet Asia, & The Jacka. Power 106 has her songs "So Wrong" and "Awesome" in their rotation, and according to the station, "Her versatile, eclectic style has variety from soulful hip hop to mob music to what you want to hear in a club."
Armani Depaul, also known as Flav, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and director. Based in the Bay Area in Northern California, he operates the independent label Beach Boi Music.
JD Era is a Canadian rapper and lyricist. He has worked with artists such as Nas, Gza, Kardinal Offishall, The Clipse, and has also cut several tracks with longtime friend Drake. In 2008 he won Best Rap at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, and also won the TAG Records’ Survival of The Freshest competition. He has also released a number of mixtapes and singles, and in the Juno Awards of 2013 his album No Handouts was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year.
Micah Omega Crosby, is an American rapper, producer, and songwriter from Modesto, California. By 2012 Omega Crosby was releasing his own singles and music videos, and his first mixtape, Urban Muzik Vol.1, came out in early 2013. Currently signed to Empire Distribution, he has collaborated with hip hop artists such as Clyde Carson, Adrian Marcel, Mayne Mannish and Chingy. He has also completed production for members of the group The Team. He was nominated for Best Hip Hop Artist in late October 2015 for the Modesto Area Music Awards. In 2015 he released a mixtape titled "Modesto". A digital exclusive mixtape called "2016" was released January 1, 2016 by Bay Area based company Thizzler and Swisha House CEO, DJ Michael "5000" Watts. On January 20, 2016 he released his first independent album titled "Kalifornia".
Highway Robbery is a 2014 collaborative album by rappers Freeway of State Property and The Jacka of the Mob Figaz. It was released on September 16, 2014. The album was preceded by a mixtape entitled Write My Wrongs, released on October 14, 2013, which served as a prequel to the album.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)