FEATURED DJ (TRUE LIFE) : DA HITMAN (DAHITMAN.COM) @DAHITMAN #SALUTETHEDJ

Q: Where you from?
Originally upstate NY, but I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas now.

I was a junkie for everything Hip-Hop and loved to hang at the park and break dance, then started running with the graf artists and tagging everything in site. The music behind everything we did just sucked me in. Once I started getting the tapes of the WBLS and KISS shows out of NYC it was a wrap. I loved the creativity of the DJs blending different music, breaking new music, and of course the turntable techniques. I still do graffiti pieces from time to time, but I’m done with breakin (unless someone wants to challenge me to bust a windmill lol)

At first I was that corny kid with the knockoff name (Da’ Jay) but one of my friends started calling me Da’ Hitman and telling everyone I was killing other DJs and murdering mixes. Once that started getting around with the mixtapes I was doing – it just stuck. Sometimes I think I should flip it and actually add “DJ” to my name, but not having that “DJ” sometimes helps me duck all the random spam and bullshit on twitter/fb/etc. Plus, I’ve branded it so heavy now that it would be hard to change.

 

Real DJ skills. I dig through crates and crates of wax to dig out dope breaks and effects or maybe just an ill horn stab and a huge breakbeat. I love to take a song people all know and flip it with a twist of breaks from other songs everyone knows or maybe they don’t, but the break is just scrunch-face dope. Instead of just playing a song and standing there looking wack, I never stop my hands.

 

I’m scratchin, transforming, blending, mixing, chopping – something at all times. I think that’s what separates me from so many other DJs. I’ve learned some show tricks along the way and that always helps get big crowd reaction. I stole a trick from an Italian DJ lol Pull my tee up over my face then beat juggle and twist behind my back…usually gets a good reaction. Smashing my control vinyl on the edges of my turntables always gets the crowds hype but I have to limit that or else I’ll run out of control vinyl. I usually save that for the end of my set.

 

 

Since I was 14 years old. I started with two shitty Pioneer belt drive turntables and a huge Numark mixer. I saved and saved until I could afford a 1200 then finally the other to complete the set. Now I rock with Gemini equipment exclusively and of course Serato.

 

I take it as a sign of respect and acknowledgement for real DJ skills. Sort of a “Thank you DJ” type statement. I would say “Salute the DJ” to Red Alert, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Baby G, Kid Capri, DJ Ykcor, DJ Figa, DJ Parallax, DJ Jazzy Jeff, etc. DJs that I admire and respect for their real DJ skills. I think it also fits for great DJs who have passed away, but still deserve repsect ie Jam Master Jay, Scott La Rock, DJ Frantic, etc.

 

I would only ask that people try to reserve the “Salute the DJ” for actual DJs with real DJ skills. Please don’t belittle the term by throwing it at wack so-called “DJs” that don’t mix, blend, scratch, beat juggle, transform, etc. My I-pod can do that lazy no-DJ bullshit.

Shoutout to the DJs that push me to be better at our craft. Skratch Bastid forces me to step up my crate digging and blend skills. DJ Ykcor forces me to limber up my fingers and push crossfaders faster and faster. My advice for DJs would be to avoid industry politics and petty bullshit, have fun and it will show, and develop your own unique styles.