HEY DJ: IN CONVERSATION WITH DJ DAZ
“DJ Daz is from the golden era of Hip-Hop. A time when DJs had a signature, a routine and a set that put them on the map and made them unique. The criteria: Technic 1200s, scratching, and mixing. For years Daz’s turntables were set up in his bedroom and he would play records 24/7 perfecting his skill set. His vast knowledge of music is bar none. Hip Hop, Soul, Rare Groove. Music to Daz gives his life meaning and a purpose. 25 years later, he is still listening and playing.”
He wasn’t in it for the success, wealth, and fame but for the culture. He didn’t change occupations when he was down on his luck, but he stayed the course. This is how you know when someone is committed to the cause.
We lost touch in 2000 and I hadn’t seen or heard from him in 23 years, but we recently became IG friends.
Daz is an OG and I want to celebrate his passion, life, and accomplishments.
Below is a conversation between two old friends, and colleagues.
Terrence Sanders-Smith – What have you been up to the past 20 years?:
Daz Blackburn - Still digging for records. Sometimes selling records. Podcasting my mixes which are mostly vinyl mixes of Hip Hop, Rare Groove, Reggae, Original Samples, Trip Hop, Neo Soul, and some House music. You can find my mixes online to download, and play for free at: dazdillinja.podomatic.com
I retired from club djing in 2007, mostly due to the fact that I didn’t want to further study the latest music. The 1990’s and before was the music I was influenced by, and I felt by 2007 that I’d done what I wanted with music.
TSS - Where did you grow up and what inspired you to start DJing?
DB: I grew up in Los Angeles and London, England in my teens. From 1978 to 1984 I lived in the San Fernando Valley which was an eclectic mix to say the least lol. It was Punk Rock mixed with Hip Hop. I was going to Social Distortion shows, and buying Run DMC cassettes.
TSS - How long were you the A&R for Delicious Vinyl? Who were some of the bands you signed? When did Delicious Vinyl go out of business?
DB - When I returned back to the States in 1989 I met up with DJ Marques Wyatt and he would have me do the opening sets at his House Music club “Mac’s Garage”. Marques then teamed up with Orlando from Delicious Vinyl, and Paul Stewart to start an Acid Jazz club called “Brass”. It wasn’t solely Acid Jazz. Between the DJ’s we would mix in all the current sounds. Hip Hop, Reggae Dancehall, Acid Jazz, and some original samples of Jazz, and Soul. We were the first in L.A. to promote and DJ shows for Jamiroquai, Digable Planets, The Roots, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, and we even rocked an after party for Sade’s “Love Deluxe” tour at the Universal Amphitheater. During that time, Orlando asked me to come intern at Delicious Vinyl. My official title was A&R coordinator. I would be the guy that would run the 2” tape to the studios, occasional weed go-getterer, type out the label copies, clear samples, and do quality control on the test pressings. This was from 1990-1997. During that time we signed The Pharcyde, Masta Ace Incorporated, The Brand New Heavies, and The Born Jamericans. I was grateful to be around at that time, and to see the albums being recorded. I commissioned some remixes that did pretty good. Ski from Roc-A-Blok did a remix of a Brand New Heavies song “You can do it”. Ski had already produced ‘Streets Is Watching’ and ‘Dead Presidents’ for Jay-Z, and “Luchini” (This Is It) for Camp Lo. Then I commissioned a hip hop mash up remix for Born Jamericans “Yardcore” by Crush Sounds. A New York DJ team that would take all the hot Hip Hop beats at the time and flip them under current Dancehall Reggae hits. Based on the success of the remixes and my work ethic I was promoted to A&R Director.
TSS - What did you do after you left Delicious Vinyl?
DB - After I left Delicious Vinyl, I went solely into DJing full-time. I would DJ 6-7 nights a week. But I was getting burned out. I did the weekend warrior gigs where I’d play the hit R&B, and Hip-Hop Joints. And then do the more local Hip-Hop parties. Chocolate Bar, Firecracker, The Root Down. Chocolate Bar was my resident DJ gig. We did that from 1997-2007.
TS - Is there a side hustle outside of playing music? Do you currently have a gig?
DB - I work in Film and Television Post Production now. It’s like working in the music business, but more consistent with a paycheck.
TS - How has DJ culture changed since the late 90’s and early 2000’s?
DB - I think youth culture dictates current music trends.
TS - What’s your Top 10 list of DJs?
DB - Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, DJ Alywad, and my DJ Crew Umoja Hi Fi: DJ Tomas, DJ Jun, DJ Mona Lisa, DJ Culture D, DJ Cokni O’Dire, DJ Aaron Paar.
TS - Do you still spin vinyl? Have you had to adapt to the current climate of spinning records? Do you respect DJs who spin music from their laptop? Has the skill and art been lost on this new generation?
DB - Music is always going to change. Obviously DJing with a Laptop has everyone thinking they can DJ now. I’m not against using technology as a medium to play music, but I am a purist in the sense that I learned to DJ using vinyl records only
TS - Do you feel older DJs are being phased out? Is it possible to still be relevant and important in today’s music industry?
DB - Yes older DJs are not getting their dues. Music is too accessible now. Anyone can download a file. I would have to take the bus to a local record store and spend my last $20 on records. I always looked up to the DJ’s that came before me.
TS - How do you feel about the sound today? Has the music progressed or regressed? Who are some of the artists holding the torch and representing the culture of ‘real’ music?
DB - I can’t speak on modern music because it all came from somewhere else. EDM came from House Music, Trap came from Hip Hop. Reggaeton came from Reggae, Techno came from Detroit Techno. There are current groups I listen to because they have those sonics reminiscent of the old school: BADBADNOTGOOD, Kaytranada, Little Simz.
TS - You have always been a kind, supportive and true brother. I want you to know we appreciate you and all you have contributed. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon on the 1s and 2s.
DB: No doubt.
TO CONTACT DJ DAZ: dazdillinja@gmail.com
