DJ Culture

Friday, January 4, 2019

93-Year-Old DJ Art Laboe Spins Oldies to Connect Inmates and Family

Art Laboe

Art Laboe
Art Laboe in his Palm Springs, California studio. (Credit: AP)

After 75 years on the air, legendary radio DJ Art Laboe still resonates with listeners. The 93-year-old currently hosts a syndicated oldies show on 93.5 KDAY in Los Angeles.

According to NBC Southern California, Laboe “credits one group of listeners for keeping him on the air after 75 years: family members who want to send messages to loved ones in prison.”

Every Sunday on The Art Laboe Connection Show, the Palm Springs-based DJ asks family members to call in to make dedications to inmates in California, Arizona or Nevada.

“I don’t judge,” Laboe told The Associated Press. “I like people.”

Born Arthur Egnoian in Salt Lake City, Laboe grew in an Armenian American family during the Great Depression. He attended Stanford University and served during World War II. Eventually, he got a job as a radio announcer at KSAN in San Francisco.

However, it Laboe’s tenure as a DJ at KXLA in Los Angeles that gained him fame. NBC writes that “Laboe was one of the first DJs to play R&B and rock ‘n’ roll in California and is credited by scholars for helping integrate dance halls among Latinos, blacks, Asian Americans and whites …” His show became the city’s top radio program.

Laboe has maintained a fan base over the decades, especially among Mexican Americans. In the 1990s, he started getting calls from inmates’ family members. Current and former gang members are some of his most loyal listeners.

In 2015, iHeartMedia’s KHHT-FM (92.3) canceled Laboe’s show after the station switched to a hip-hop format, sparking protest. Laboe later returned to the airwaves on KDAY.

Related: This 82-Year-Old Dumpling Maker Is Now a Professional DJ

| DJ Culture
Art Laboe, Radio,
Sunday, December 16, 2018

Watch: ‘Inside Turntablists’ Puts a Spotlight on DJ Chile

DJ Chile


DJ Chile (Credit: Boom City)

British creative collective Boom City has released the latest episode of their documentary series, Inside Turntablists. This episode features DJ Chile, an award-winning UK turntablist based out of Hull.

Chile is a 15-year veteran of the DJ community. He is the 2011 WTK World Freestyle Scratch champion and the 2013 IDA UK Freestyle Scratch champion. In addition to battling, he also produces a series of scratching tutorials which are available on his YouTube channel.

Watch the episode and a routine from DJ Chile below.

Related: Watch: ‘Inside Turntablists’ Puts a Spotlight on DJ Soak

| DJ Culture, Turntablism, Videos
Boom City, DJ Chile, Inside Turntablists,
Thursday, December 13, 2018

DJcity and DJ Vice Team Up for ‘Beyond the Music Retreat’

Beyond the Music Retreat

Beyond the Music Retreat

DJcity and genre-bending DJ/producer Vice have teamed up to host the Beyond the Music Retreat, an educational conference dedicated to helping DJs from around the world take their careers to a higher level.

The retreat, which will take place in Denver, Colorado from March 4 to 6, will offer a variety of panel discussions with some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Hotel packages will be available. Sign up here to receive updates.

Related: Win a Trip to the Red Bull Music 3Style IX World Finals

| DJ Culture, DJcity News
Beyond the Music Retreat, Vice,
Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Female DJs Connect at Ladies Linkup in Los Angeles

Ladies Linkup

In November, more than 100 DJs got together for DJcity’s Ladies Linkup in downtown Los Angeles. The inspiring event featured performances by Syntax, Spinorita, and J Rose, and a talk by Lindsey Williams of brand strategy firm Be Digable. Notable attendees included Lady Sha, Shortee, Javin, Tina T, and Michelle Pesce.

Watch the recap above.

Related: Watch: DJcity Hosts First Ladies Linkup

| DJ Culture, DJcityTV, Videos
DJ Javin, DJ Lady Sha, DJ Shortee, DJ Tina T, Michelle Pesce,
Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Watch: Japanese DJs Connect at DJcity Linkup in Osaka

DJcity Linkup

In November, dozens of DJs met up at the DJcity Linkup in Osaka. The event, which took place at Club Joule, featured former Red Bull Music 3Style Japan champions B=BALL and IKU. It was the second linkup in Japan in 2018, the first being in Tokyo.

Watch the recap above.

Follow DJcity Japan on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Related: Watch: Watch: Japanese DJs Connect at DJcity Linkup in Tokyo

| DJ Culture, DJcityTV, Videos
DJcity Japan, DJcity Linkup,
Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Win a Trip to the Red Bull Music 3Style IX World Finals

Red Bull Music 3Style IX World Finals

Red Bull Music 3Style IX World Finals

Do you know someone who would love to attend the Red Bull Music 3Style IX World Finals in Taipei, Taiwan? Nominate them for a chance to win a paid trip with a guest courtesy of DJcity!

The winner will receive two airline tickets and two hotel rooms at the W Taipei from January 25 to 28. They will also receive VIP access to all world finals events.

Here’s how it works: upload a photo or video of the nominee on Instagram and explain in the caption why they should attend the world finals. You must include the following in your caption: @DJcity’s account, the nominee’s account, and the hashtag #TakeMeToTaiwan. The contest is open worldwide. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. PT on Dec. 15 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 17.

Terms and conditions:

Nominee and guest must be at least 18 years old. Only one nomination per account, and multiple nominations for the same person will not increase the chances of winning. Prize is non-transferrable. In the case that the winner is unable to travel on the listed dates, all reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate for travel on other dates. Valid passport is required, and the winner is responsible for satisfying any visa requirements within their country, if applicable. Once airline tickets have been issued, any changes become the responsibility of the ticket holder. No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. A subscription to the DJcity Record Pool is not required to enter the contest. If for any reason listed prize is unavailable, a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded as a substitute. Prize is not redeemable for cash. DJcity and its affiliates take no ownership or responsibility for content uploaded by contestant to Instagram, Facebook or any other third party platforms. This contest is not sponsored by the W Hotel.

Related: Watch: Red Bull 3Style World Finals VIII Mini-Documentary

| DJ Culture
Red Bull 3Style,

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