“A legend in the making” is the best way I can describe my friend of many years, DJ Reptile. Reptile and I had the honor of working together at a little club called 3299. I was a door girl and he was the house DJ. The club was an after hours club that only played House, Techno, Bass & Drum, etc. Every time we would work together I would go into the DJ booth and beg DJ Reptile “Please play Hip-Hop” and everytime he would say “NO, this is not a Hip-Hop Club, (sigh) but I got you” and he would play Jungle Hip-Hop remixes for me. That’s where I got the name “Hip-Hop DAWN”, before DAWNdada. DJ Reptile is an amazing Electronic DJ. His mixes and original tracks are nothimng to sleep on. Get ready for a new sound!!!!
What made you want to be a DJ?
The love of music and skills to mix and match songs to become one.
How long have you been a DJ?
15 years
At What moment did you know this was your calling?
The first time I played in front of a big crowed at a big club and I felt butterflies, it was and is the greatest feeling when you pack that dance floor and everyone is having a great time.
What DJ do you look up to? Why?
Tiesto and Robert Miles, For there love and dedication to there style of music and the beautiful energy that they create.
Is this your dream job? If no then what is?
Of course this would be my dream job but it is a hard industry to be in unless you are lucky to know the right people and then that makes it a bit easier as long as the love and talent is there.
Records or Serato?
Both, I have spunn wax for many many years until it became difficult to bring several crates of vinyl to events, so I then looked into Serato Scratch system and fell in love with it when I found out that I could bring all my music to a gig and still be able to spinn wax. Plus I could play multi genera’s of music if it called for it.
What’s your take on the industry today?
The electronic music scene has died down a bit over the years but still remains strong over seas in the UK and Spain, but as for here in Florida the drugs hurt it a lot in the past several years and gave the style of music a bad rap being the druggie music so people forgot about how much fun it is to just go and have a good time, listen to good music and be around good people. Now there still is a small underground scene here but its not what it used to be back in mid to late 90’s.
Are there any other fields in the industry you work in?
Well I am from South FLA so there for I am a fisherman and I have been in the fishing industry for several years now, but I have many hobbies including writing music, graphic design, wood craft, golf plus more. I like to keep myself busy as much as possible.
What’s your most embarrassing, funniest, or Worst (pick one) DJ story?
Embarrassing Moment was just this past year when I played at Candy Land in Miami, I was using my Serato and both myself and another Dj friend of mine were on the stage and we had the crowed all pumped up and as we were bouncing up and down on the stage as a song was peaking and my laptop slammed shut from us bouncing so much and the sound went quite, the worst thing to ever happen during a show and as I was struggling to get the laptop open I looked up and saw everyone staring at me in aw. So I got the laptop back open and the song came back on right ware it left off and it was fine from there. That’s was not a great moment of mine. LOL
Whats in your Ipod?
Everything from Electronic of all types to Hip-hop to heavy metal. I love all types of music except for country.
Favorite Record to date?
Robert Miles (Children)
Favorite artist?
Wow so many to choose from, Ill pick a couple from each genre starting with Tiesto, Paul Van Dyke, Missy Eliot, Busta Rhymes, Marco Beltrami, Paul Haslinger, Cold Play, Dave Mathews Band and linkin Park. The list could go on and on.
Song you could never here again & be happy?
I don’t really have any per say but I do get sick of hearing songs over and over again on the radio but none I would say I could never listen to again.
What do you do when your not DJing?
Working and spending time with my wife Katie and our baby Shelby
Any Shot outs?
To my home girl DAWNdada for being a cool friend. I also want to give a shout out my new record label PWM Records out of Australia and also to my music partner Karl Forde for keeping our tracks flowing and last but not least my good friend Kirk Beaze for being a talented yet great friend.
