News

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Meet Young Guru: Jay Z’s Sound Engineer and Tour DJ

Young Guru
 
The Wall Street Journal has published an inspiring profile of one of hip-hop’s most trusted sound engineers, Young Guru.
 
Born Gimel Keaton, the 41-year-old has been Jay Z’s engineer for 16 years, recorded Eminem and 50 Cent early in their careers, and has been in the studio with other superstars: Beyoncé, Drake, Rick Ross, Rihanna, and Snoop Dogg. He’s also served as Jay’s tour DJ since 2010.
 
In addition to making songs sound better, Young Guru is a visiting lecturer at USC and a frequent guest speaker at colleges such as NYU and MIT, among others.
 
“He’s expanded the idea of what an engineer can be,” Cornell University’s Patrick Gillespie told WJS. “Engineers are no longer sitting in the back room. They’re out front, creating things, showing the world what can be done.”
 
Grammy-nominated rapper Common told WSJ:
 

“He truly is a scientist, a musician, a visionary . . . Sometimes technology doesn’t get to the core energy of a project, but he knows how to manipulate it where you feel like you’re getting something authentic and organic. He uses technology at its highest level.”

 
Related: Young Guru Explores Los Angeles with Google Glass

| DJ Culture, Music Industry, Music Tech
JAY-Z, Music Production, Young Guru,
Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Weeknd’s ‘Earned It’ Gets House Remix from DJ Drew

DJ Drew
DJ Drew performing at Club DV8 in Hollywood. (Lastnites Pix)
 
Since its release in December, The Weeknd’s “Earned It” has become one of the most popular songs from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, with 100 million YouTube plays. However, the sultry ballad is very slow, 40 BPM to be exact, and thus has received little club play. A new house remix from KIIS FM’s DJ Drew could change that though, as the Los Angeles native has tripled the BPM and added new synths. Stream and download below.
 
[djc url=http://www.djcity.com/digital/the-weeknd-earned-it-dj-drew-remix—44577.htm]

Download: The Weeknd – Earned It – DJ Drew Remix
 
Related: Ariana Grande Drops ‘Love Me Harder’ Video ft. The Weeknd

| Tracks
DJ Drew, Remix, The Weeknd,
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Skratch Bastid Gets Busy with Rane’s TTM57mkII


 
There are a couple videos of Skratch Bastid performing his “Nxwxrk” routine, but none of them feature Rane’s TTM57mkII mixer. Thankfully, Serato caught up with the Bastid in Los Angeles to showcase the new model and give the routine some proper treatment.
 
Watch the Canadian get busy in the video above and check out his newly created profile on Serato’s website. You can also download the instrumental used in the routine — RL Grime’s edit of Nadus’ “Nxwxrk” — on DJcity.
 
Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Skratch Bastid Rehearsing at the Red Bull Thre3style US Finals

| Music Tech, Turntablism, Videos
Nadus, Rane, Routine, Serato, Skratch Bastid,
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

DJ Javin Drops Bass-Heavy Mix for DJcity Podcast

DJ Javin
DJ Javin performs at the Red Bull Thre3style Phoenix Qualifier on February 14, 2015. (Tavit Daniel/Red Bull)
 
This week’s DJcity Podcast is served up by Arizona’s DJ Javin, a mixer on Phoenix’s Power 98.3 and competitor in this year’s Red Bull Thre3style. The 24-year-old’s mix features 30 minutes of new music, primarily of the hip-hop, electro house and bass variety. Aside from a fresh selection of heaters, Javin’s set also includes blends, scratching and wordplay, keeping it interesting throughout.
 

[podcast]

Tracklist:

1. Juelz Santana – Mic Check
2. GTA & TJR – Mic Check
3. Flo Rida ft. Sage The Gemini – GDFR – Noodles Remix
4. Sak Noel – Loca People – Acapella
5. Kanye West ft. Allan Kingdom & Theophilus London – All Day – Bynon & Reid Stefan Remix
6. Kanye West ft. Allan Kingdom & Theophilus London – All Day – Wellman Remix
7. Fetty Wap – Trap Queen – Chris Villa Hype Edit
8. Fetty Wap – Trap Queen – Tall Boys Bullsh#ttin’ Bootleg
9. Skrillex & Diplo ft. Justin Bieber – Where Are U Now
10. Skrillex & Diplo ft. Justin Bieber – Where Are U Now – Tall Boys vs Alex Preston 70-124 Transition
11. Wiz Khalifa – We Dem Boyz (Hol’ Up) – Acapella
12. Deorro ft. DyCy – Don’t Hold Me Back (Five Hours)
13. Missy Elliott – Lick Shots – Smookie Illson Remix
14. TWRK – Helicopter
15. Tech N9ne ft. 2 Chainz & B.o.B – Hood Go Crazy
16. Beyonce ft. Jay-Z – Crazy In Love – Mayeda Twerk Remix
17. Skrillex & Diplo ft. Fly Boi Keno – Beats Knockin’
18. Drake – Energy – Whiiite Remix
19. Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MO – Lean On
20. Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing – Kygo Remix
21. Trey Songz – Slow Motion – Eric D-Lux Mix

 
Follow DJ Javin: Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud | Twitter
 
DJcity’s weekly podcast features the latest club music mixed by its team and guest DJs. Previous mixers include Vice, Dave Fogg, Spider, Reflex, Epic Twelve, Steve1der and Yonny. The 30-minute podcast is available every Tuesday on iTunes and Mixcloud.
 
Related: Tommy Bustillos Delivers 33 Minutes of House for the DJcity Podcast

| DJcity Podcast, Mixes
DJ Javin,
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Review: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol D2


 
Native Instruments is on a mission to be “the future of DJing” and its new Traktor Kontrol D2 controller is part of that plan. A modular version of the deck found on the all-in-one S8 controller, the company designed the D2 to be used alongside existing mixers. DJcityTV’s Mojaxx spent a week with the device to find out what it’s capable of and gave us a full report.
 
Related: Watch Shiftee Use the Traktor Kontrol S8 as a DVS Mixer with Two Turntables

| DJcityTV, Music Tech, Videos
Kontrol, Native Instruments, Tips and Tricks, Traktor,
Monday, May 4, 2015

Watch Chuckie’s Set for Pioneer’s DJsounds Show


 
Chuckie’s last set for Pioneer’s “DJsounds” show has received a million YouTube views since being uploaded two years ago. That, coupled with the Dutchman’s talent and legendary status, was reason enough for Pioneer to invite him back for a second mix last week. Chuckie put down an hour of house and tech house this time around and even got busy with a little scratching near the end (around 49 minutes in). Watch the interview and full set above.
 
Related: Listen to ChildsPlay & Chuckie’s ‘Bruk Out’

| Mixes, Videos
Chuckie, DJsounds, Pioneer DJ,

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