DJ Daze, from Uptown Manhattan NYC, was recognized as one of the hottest DJs on the New York underground scene in the mid and late ‘90s. He rocked a diverse set of clubs ranging from gritty underground parties to upscale NY hot spots. He spun with some of NY’s biggest names, including Bobbito, Tony Touch, and Marc Ronson, and at parties remembered as all-time classics. Daze was a regular DJ for the Lyricist Lounge, and also spun at the record release party for the first Lyricist Lounge album on Rawkus. He also stepped into the big time spinning for fashion moguls Stella McCartney and Darryl K. Known for his unique style of mixing, he brings an array of skills to the table(s) including creative blends, precise scratching, speed mixing, and tricks. Regardless what genre is on the menu any given night (hip hop, funk, soul, reggae, afrobeat, latin) he seems to strike that perfect balance between the crowd pleasers, the forgotten gems, and the illest stuff you never heard. In the studio, Daze has laid down scratches for numerous artists including KRS-ONE, Del the Funky Homosapien, Everlast, and High n Mighty featuring Mos Def and Eminem. He has put down scratches for artists on such labels as Tommy Boy, Rawkus, Sony, and others. He had a popular series of mix-tapes out in the late ‘90s called ‘Hip Hop from the Good Old Daze’ and while he never spent much time on the air, he did occasional guest spots on the famous CM Famalam Radio Show with Bobbito on WKCR in NY. While he hasn’t (yet) produced for any known artists, Daze is making the transition to production and his beats are something to watch out for. Motivated by a desire to get more involved in non-profit work, Daze moved out to the San Francisco Bay Area and is hoping to rock some crowds (and hug some trees) out there. Favorite underground hip hop joints: Too many to name. Bizzie Boys ‘I’m Droppin it’, Freshco and Miz ‘Aint You Freshco’, Stezo ‘Freak the Funk’, Double X ‘Executive Class’, those are classic. Oh, ‘Champion of Love’ by 991 Volts is the joint. Favorite soul classics: Again, too many to name, but I love anything by Stevie, Cymande, Fela. Jackson Sisters ‘I Believe in Miracles’, Roy Ayers ‘Life is Just a Moment’. That’s what comes to mind right now. Favorite hip hop moments: When me and my brother used to make up our own lyrics to ‘White Lines’ (Lunch-Time - vision dreams of hot dogs- running through my mind - and all the while I’m eating fries). A show at the Ritz in ’91 with Brand Nubian, KMD, and Leaders [of the New School]. It was right before Brand Nubian broke up and they were arguing on stage. Great show, though… The Rock Steady Anniversary Party that took place every summer in Goat Park in my old neighborhood was always classic, but I think ’91 and ’92 were the best years. Watching a cipher after the show with Sadat, Lord Finesse, J-Ro, OC, cats like that... amazing... Favorite moments in your own career: Spinning for Stella McCartney was cool. It was one of those high class fashion events, and her dad (Paul) was there and everything… Bobbito and I did this great party at a club called 2ii’s in NY every Saturday in the summer of ‘97 I think. We did all old school and underground joints and the crowd that came really knew their stuff so they were into it. Spinning at the Lyricist Lounge parties was fresh - rockin back-to-back for the emcees while they freestyle is just straight hip hop. Daze can be contacted at deejaydaze@hotmail.com