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Impromptu DJs
SPEEDY as he is popularly known to his peers and those in the ‘house community’ within the New York City and Northern New Jersey metropolitan areas has been DJing since 1984. ...His love for music started at a tender age of 4 after being introduced to music by his mother and grandfather, who often played jazz, disco and R&B within the home. Smiling, he remembers that at this young age he was fascinated by the spinning discs on the record player and the music that was created as a result. Even then, he attempted to put records on the turntable by himself so it wasn’t a surprise to family when he expressed an interest in becoming a DJ. As he grew, his interest in music also heightened and he focused his attention on the skills of DJing after watching Jimmy “DJ Bassx” Johnson spinning records in his basement in the early 80’s and battling DJ style against his long time friend and brother, Pookie (Vauxhall). It was, also, during this time that he strayed away from the more commercial music played on the radio and did not follow the direction of hip hop and rap that most young men in his community were following. It was the underground style of House music that became his passion and the genre of music that he would follow for years to come. “The message in house music is pure. It communicates love and unity, which is something the ‘house community’ stands for” he states when asked the reason he choose to follow house music over any other genres of music. Adding that, “DJing gives me free reign to express what I feel ‘musically’ inside. Some people do this with their voice or an instrument; I choose to do it on turntables. Plus, I like making people feel good through the music I play. Maybe I help them escape from a hard day or provide the music to celebrate something good. All in all, it’s a rewarding feeling to be able to do this.” Staying true to his passion and after many years of perfecting his DJing style, Speedy has been honored to work with phenomenal musical greats such as KT Brooks on his last un-released track before his passing titled “Dance My Life Away”. He has also played with talents such as John 'Jellybean' Benitez, Darryl James, Mr. V., Master Kev, Lou "Louie" Gorbea, Naeem Johnson, Unified Spirits, Cameron Da DJ, Karizma, Venus7, Lil Ray, Glen Thorton and Louie Vega to name a few. Spanning the globe, he has entertained many playing along with Phil Hooton (London). Speedy has also been a guest DJ at many clubs such as the legendary Zanzibar (NJ), Marlos (NJ), Sensations (NJ), Sapphire Lounge (NYC), Club 347 (Baltimore), Intense Sound (Baltimore), Philly Inner Circle and numerous other clubs in the NYC /Northern NJ metropolitan area. He has held DJ residency at Club Langstons (Brooklyn, NYC), and Elevations (Irvington, New Jersey). Presently, along with DJing, he has expanded his musical interest towards production and creates a style that is unique, modern and cutting-edge. As a producer, his tracks reflect abilities beyond reproach and can be listened to and purchased on Traxsource © on two different labels, D# Sharp Records and Rapture Trax. In his quest to bring house music to the forefront, Speedy continues to blaze a trail by giving back to the genre that continues to bring him so much enjoyment by owning and operating a major internet radio station, FACETHEBASSLIVE.COM. Through his determination, diligence, humility and his promise to Fred Johnson (Eklips), Face The Bass Live has been able to stay on the fore-front of internet radio. In 2014, Speedy founded and began, FACE THE BASS RECORDS, a recording label that features innovative, soulful and deep house rhythms, beat, remixes and new releases. Face The Bass Records can be found on Traxsource at Face the Bass Records.
UTOPIA a native New Yorker, promotional model and graphic artist turned DJ has earnestly learned the skill of blending, mixing and riding under her mentor, business partner and husband, DJ Speedy. ...“Music has always been in my soul”, she says growing up in a home where Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock and Salsa was always played. “and, dancing” she adds smiling, “has always been in my heart.” Therefore, 'blending’ these two passions has brought her to this day where she has learned to bring the same level of enjoyment received from music to those hearing her play. Her next step on this musical journey will be learning production work. Born and raised in the south Bronx (NY), utopia presently resides in Baltimore, MD, with her husband, speedy. She has never abandoned her New York City roots or the significant impact it made on the genre she loves, "house music". Rewinding back in time, utopia was fortunate to meet, hear and dance to such phenomenal and famous DJs like, Larry Levan, David Mancuso, Tee Scott, Larry Paterson, Kenny Carpenter, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Merlin Bob, David Morales, John "Jellybean' Benetiz, and so many more. And, as a regular core member of the legendary Paradise Garage and Loft, she saw first-hand how a DJ can mesmerize and ‘werk’ a crowd. As a dancer, she not only saw, but experienced the importance of a DJ keeping their thumb on the pulse of their audience while also, paying attention to the selection, tempo and vibe being delivered. So even back then, the ‘skillful art’ of DJing, such as riding the pitch on two different tracks playing simultaneously has always fascinated her and sparked her desire to one day learn. Fast forwarding to the present, she continues to listens to other DJs whom she likes such as Karizma, Speedy, Kerri Chandler, Thommy Davis, Joe Claussel and a few others, and takes note of the way they deliver musical messages to their listeners. In her opinion, "all music is the same regardless of who has it, anyone can download music…but it’s the delivery that’s important - it is the message in the music and how your audience responds to that message." And, she adds " “my dream is to deliver music in a way that is understood while ‘werking’ the dancer in the way, i have been werked." The stars aligned, and utopia has had the opportunity to DJ at several of the Coney Island Dancers (CID) summer parties on the Coney Island Boardwalk (Brooklyn, NYC), FTB's "Celebration of Life Party" at Crave Lounge (Brooklyn, NYC), "Salsa meets House" party at the Coffee Cave (Newark, NJ), FTB's "Life Is Something Special" party at the Coffee Cave, HamptonRoads HouseHeadz' "Makossa" party in Virginia Beach, VA and several other notable parties in the Washington DC tri-state area. She has also had the wonderful oppoutunity of djing along side John 'Jellybean' Benetiz and Venus 7 at Club 347 (Baltimore, MD) and with Karizma at SkyLoft (Baltimore, MD). utopia has also played alongside Joey Llanos, one of the DJs at the legendary Paradise Garage (NYC) and on numerous occasions with her mentor and partner, DJ Speedy under the moniker, Speedtopia. In 2015, "Speedtopia" was featured on Audio Infusion / WEAA 88.9FM and she alone during the "Female DJ Month". utopia is also the Founder and CEO of Indigo Graphics & Design, the Chief Operating Officer and Web Designer of Face The Bass Live and holds the title of President of Administration and Finance for Face The Bass Productions. In June of 2011, she had the opportunity to have a key role in organizing, with a few others, the 1st"House Music Family & Community Unity Festival" in Weequahic Park, New Jersey. She explains that her driving force behind her dedication for "house music" in all these years has been her unending love and passion for the music and its subculture of "househeadz". When utopia is not playing music, she spends her free time designing and creating websites, doing graphic designs and playing with her indoor cats, indigo, peedy, gigi, onyx and her outside foster cats, tabitha, snowy, snoopy, cotton, scully and smokey. And, if this isn't enough, she also donates her time and energy to BARCS Animal Shelter (Baltimore, MD) and does promotional modeling from time to time. To Contact Utopia: email: indigopub1@yahoo.com and/or vramos@facethebasslive.com Listen to utopia: Podcast: http://utopiaftb.podomatic.com/ Become Friends with utopia: Facebook: Utopia Jackson Follow utopia on Twitter: dj_utopia