DJ RHETTMATIC - WORLD FAMOUS BEAT JUNKIES/VISIONARIES
A major force behind the creation of Southern California's first turntable band, the Beat Junkies, is a multi-faceted musician known to the world as DJ Rhettmatic. Born Nazareth Nirza, his artistic contributions to the music industry have placed him, along with his fellow members of the Beat Junkie crew, at the top of the DJ universe. Possessing unstoppable visions of excelling in this art form, Rhettmatic unites music enthusiasts around the world by sharing his unparalleled skills and talent. His personal discography of musical achievements presents a host of successful accomplishments, and by applying his creativity and dedication, his record of ingenious masterworks will continue to grow.
Rhettmatic began his DJ career in 1983, with Double Platinum, a DJ group based out of Cerritos, CA. As one of the original members of the Beat Junkie crew, he played a major role in introducing Southern California's first turntable band to global audiences. Rhettmatic's unique style encompasses the many elements of a multifaceted Hip Hop DJ. As an accomplished scratch musician, as well as an explosive party/club DJ, Rhettmatic demonstrates his versatility by using the turntable as his musical instrument. His talent and musical expertise also extends into the realm of producing beats that helped him earn recognition and rewards well deserved. Citing a number of distinguished influences, Rhettmatic credits those individuals that greatly impacted the Hip Hop/DJ culture as honorable talent who helped shape his musical style. Inspiration derives from a spectrum of legends, including Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Joe Cooley, the now defunct Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and the X-ecutioners. Rhettmatic highly acknowledges fellow Beat Junkie member, DJ Curse, as his leading mentor. As Curse shared his turntable exhibition, involving scratches and other DJ techniques, Rhettmatic's interest in the DJ art form leaped, allowing him to take hold of his musical passion and succeed. Viewing a live performance of "Rock It" by Herbie Hancock featuring Grandmixer DST on Saturday Night Live also serves as a major driving factor in motivating Rhettmatic to set his place in music history. Rhettmatic not only applies the skills and techniques of his DJ influences to his individual compositions, but he also dives into a pool of other musical genres, which feed him valuable sources of motivation. His collection of Soul and old school R&B, including James Brown and Prince, exemplify Rhettmatic's draw towards funky grooves. Jazz supremes such as John Coltrane and Bob James, as well as masterful Rock composers, including The Beatles and Steely Dan, also enrich his musical style and creative arrangements.
Rhettmatic seized numerous triumphs both as a musical performer and as a creative genius. He claimed the titles of Disco Mixing Club (DMC) West Coast Champion (1996), International Turntablist Federation (ITF) Team USA Champion (1997), Rhettmatic's innovations produce a boundless list of prized accomplishments. His musical masterpieces include "E=MC5" by Key Kool and Rhettmatic featuring Ras Kass, LMNO, Voodoo, and Meen Green, "Peace Mic" by The Visionaries, "From The Ground Up" b/w "Ubiquity" by The Associates featuring LMNO & Key Kool of the Visionaries, Rakaa Iriscience & Evidence of Dilated Peoples, and Divine Styler. Just recently of Dec. 05, Rhettmatic had the honor of being the late great J Dilla's tour show DJ in Europe, for his last tour ever, along with fellow Detroiters, Frank N Dank & Phat Kat. Currently, he is working on several projects, which he plans to release this year. Rhettmatic ended up doing half of the production on the new Visionaries album titled "We Are The Ones", on Up Above Records. He did scratches for Talib Kweli's new album, "Eardrum", and has also finished producing some tracks for OhNo & Roc C (Stones Throw), Aloe Blacc (Stones Throw) , Prince Po (Organized Konfusion), Pigeon John (Quanuum), RBX (The Dogg Pound), Noelle Scaggs of The Rebirth & the legendary Percee P. He will be also working on a producers' album with J-Rawls of the Lone Catalysts, which will combine both their talents as producers and will featured guests like Rene Neufville of Zhane, Trek Life, and Supastition, and hopefully, an official Beat Junkie Crew recorded album by 2008.
As with each passing year, not does only his skill and reputation as a Dj grows, but Rhettmatic's reputation as an up and coming producer and his passion for musical knowledge and musicianship tends to grow as well. With all these components, hopefully one day Rhettmatic will be acknowledge along with the greats in Hip Hop music history.
I really wanna thank ya for Beat Junkies, your pioneering UG-work with all those beat/break twistin` Dj`s, Mc`s & great vocalists.!! Sending respect biig time from snowy Finland!! By the way I just bought Guilty S.`s "Gettin Bitches" and Percee P`s "No Time for Jokes" both 12" vinyls - D.O.P.E.!
Rhet! whats good... cant wait to chill VIP at Paid Dues... get to chill wit you and Babu... hope to see yall there, hopefully smoke yall out well see whats good, and keep doing it up! Dielekt:.
SUPERSTAR & STAR HERE . BIG HUGS AND TRUE LOVE HERE . PLEASE STOP BY AND GIVE ME A VOTE PLEASE THANK SO MUCH . TELL YOUR LOVELY FAMILY WE SEND OUR LOVE HAVE A WONDERFULL WEEKEND.
Yo Rhett! I need your Help Spreading the Word about my Entry into this Music Competition here on Uber Could use help collecting the votes :) Miss you and Love you Dearly! ME
Rhett, EAST COAST WEST COAST LOVE BABY ! Sounds like you are havin a blast in the N.Y.C son...great reading about it on your blog. Try and drop by and see my man Burkina on Houston for some NYC threads!
o Rhett!! Definitely good seeing u out East!! WOW I am still exhausted from all the on goings... Stay up my Brother! Always Bless John Robinson (Lil Sci is gone!! Lol!!!)
yo, respect. big up to przm. a friend of mine and a very kind man. he could make tracks with ease. i feel that i have to write a track for the man, but not because of the same reason everyone else will. for the fact that i don't rap, but he always said that he loved my voice and that i would geton atrack for him even if he had to write the lyrics for me. R.I.P. PRZM P.S. "stop frontin'" with metro and bru lei (pre DEFJUX)
This past Saturday was another episode of NIGHTLIFE! Thanks to everyone who came out to NIGHTLIFE this past Saturday for the celebration of Summertime! Birthday shout outs to KyLA Wright (BlackNBling), Niles Heron, & Big Kid Dru....special birthday shout outs to B+, Dam-Funk, Key-Kool, Zen, & Rakaa Iriscience. Speaking of Rakaa, both him and Babu were out of town on tour with Dilated for their Fresh Beats & Videotape Tour, along with the Alchemist, Aceyalone, & 88 Keys.....Mr. Choc was out also cause of an gig. Basically J.Rocc & myself held down the decks, with an opening set by J-1 (good lookin out).
The place had an intimate vibe with alot of party people and Hip Hop celebrities. In the house that night: MED, Karriem Riggins, Planet Asia, Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas (yes, we're down with him), Bishop Lamont (Aftermath), Dave New York, Haircut & IX Lives of Now On, Vaughn T of the Lab Techs, Wes Taylor of AML, Roc C, Illa J & Soulplay.
Big ups to everyone that actually came out that night, definitely had fun. Next month; THE WEST COAST EDITION. CA ALL DAY!!!
The Do-Over is in it's 4th Season and 4 weeks have passed. This is definitely of my favorite place to hang out and Dj as well. I Djed on the 3rd week (June 1st) and I must say, it was one of my enjoyable sets that I ever Djed at the Do-Over. My good friend and the talented-extrodinaire, Aloe Blacc (Stones Throw) recorded my live mix straight off the mixer. I like this mix alot...so much, I thought it would be cool to share with you lovely people. Here is the downloadable link:
The live set is about approximately 87 minutes long....yeah, I actually Djed that long...LOL. I pretty much went all across the board playing Hip Hop, Funk, Disco, Soul, Reggae, & even some Dilla Exclusives. I didn't do any crazy tricks (cause I was Djing on one of those big Pioneer), but I did mix it up "Beat Junkie Style!". Don't mind me folks, cause quarter-half way in to the mix, I was hella drunk off of Sangria....LOL. And if you wondering who's that on the Mic, that's Aloe. Shout outs to Chris Haycock & Jamie Strong. See you at the next Do-Over....for more info: www.thedoover.net
PS. Hope you enjoy the mix....let me know what you think of it!
The homies Bobbito Garcia & Rich Medina will be Djing tonight @ the Echoplex in Siverlake/LA area, along with the beautiful and talented Dj Rashida (Prince's personal DJ). This is brought to you by Footlong Development...shout out to Asad. This is something you don't want to miss.....get your dancing shoes on!
Aight, it's time for me to get back on my blog bizness.....between gigs and working on projects and deadlines, it's not easy to stay consistent in blogging.
Anyways, 3 weeks ago I had a DJ gig in Seattle @ the War Room and a show with Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples, Little Brother, Atmosphere and others at the Soundset Concert in Minneapolis; it was during the Memorial Day weekend....I pretty much had a full weekend.
So after my DJ gig in Seattle on Friday Night, I headed out the next day to Minneapolis to meet up with Babs, J, Big Kid Dru (Junkies' Manager), Rakaa, Ev, & Brock (Ev's Manager). Shout outs to Resident Media & Jonathan Moore for bringing me out to Seattle.
Got my ticket to Minneapolis
I arrived in Minneapolis in the evening....one of the stage managers for Soundset picked me up and took me to the hotel. Dru met me in the lobby to check in and was off to the airport to pick up Babs & Rakaa. Ev & J.Rocc were already checked in and had to go do a guest spot on Rhymesayers Radio. I pretty much chilled until everyone got back from the radio show & airport.
When everyone got back, we all conveyed at Dru's room for a "smoking pow wow"...LOL. On the way to Dru's room, guess who I saw outside conversing on the politics of the music business......
Evidence & Slug pow wowing it up.
Ev said that everybody was inside the room waiting for me to start the festivities...."Cool!". Knocked on the door and guess who I saw.....
"Heeeyyyy....look who's here!" - Rakaa
Pretty much everyone was there, including a little surprise guests hanging out, Z-Trip & Abstract Rude. We were all catching up and just shooting the shit...pretty much smoking out and cracking jokes til like 4 in the morning...LOL
Collecting donations for some "cigarettes"..LOL
Ah yes....good times, but the next day, we have work to do!
Again, it's been a while since I blogged anything; the same usual thing for me, Music & Bills....I'm a little late but f*ck it! If you're in the LA Area and you haven't heard by now, it's the return of the Do-Over; one of the best shindigs that goes down every Sunday afternoon during the Summer. Brought to you by Uber's own Chris Haycock & Stones Throw's Jamie Strong & Aloe Blacc. This is happens at Crane's Hollywood Tavern and the Do-Over is in it's 4th year. It's basically a "free daytime Sunday Jammy complete with booze & bbq all day long, all residing in a tropical garden atmosphere, deep in Hollywood, with your favorite Djs playing the joints!"
The opening day was crazy....the line was packed. Stretch Armstrong, J.Rocc, & Mike B were the first guest Djs to play the opening day. I missed the 2nd week cause I was out of town. But this Sunday, June 1st...yours truly will be in the house Djing. So come on out and get your Sunday Funday! For more info & to RSVP, go to www.thedoover.net or www.myspace.com/thedoover
For those who didn't know, this past Saturday I celebrated my birthday at NIGHTLIFE! All I can say it was a hellava Stone Groove (shout out to Eli for the picture above). Babu, J.Rocc, & Rakaa were not there that night cause they were on tour in Europe with the Brazilintime Crew & Dilated Peoples....it sucks they weren't there, but I know they were with us in spirit.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch.....my other fellow Beat Junkies, Mr. Choc & Melo-D, along with the homie Dj Houseshoes held it down & rocked the spot! Cats were hella drunk & girls were shaking their money maker, while we all were enjoying some good music. Also celebrating their birthdays, my good friends Dave New York, Keith Tend, Tyrone Ward, Tone Lopez & Rich One (Creative Recreation).
Alot of people came out that night: OhNo & Roc C (Stones Throw), Bishop Lamont (Aftermath), Taje, Planet Asia, Krondon (Strong Arm Steady), Dj Khalil (Self Scientific/Aftermath), Chace Infinite (Self Scientific/Soul Assassins), J-Thrill (Self Scientific), Illa J, Aarophat (Rawkus 50), Affion Crockett (MTV's Wildn Out), Apl De Ap of the Black Eyed Peas (shout outs to Ap for not able to get in), Dae One & Noni Spitz, the BlackNBling crew, the Creative Rec crew, the Crooks N Castle crew, & the Fat Beats LA crew.
Thank yous goes out to Tyrone (for helping settling up the business in the end), our door girl Audrey (thank you for the gifts & cake), Debbie (for the Henny Dookie Rope Chain), Mary of Addidas (for the cupcakes & Scion jacket) & Erica T (for the other cupcakes).
Shout outs to my man Mel D from Okayplayer....he took alot of pictures that night (I was too drunk to take them myself....ahahha). To see his pictures from NIGHTLIFE please check out his personal blog: www.villageslum.com . Don't sleep, he got some dope pictures and some other cool stuff.
NIGHTLIFE @ The Knitting Factory LA - Sat. May 10th
If you're in the LA area this weekend, I'll be djing at PAUSE with J-Logic @ Club Tantra's on Friday night and of course our Beat Junkie Monthly, "NIGHTLIFE" @ the Knitting Factory LA on Saturday....
Btw, I'm celebrating my Birthday....LOL.
Birthday Shout Outs to Tyrone Ward, Keith Tend, Dave New York, Dae One, Tone Lopez, Truly Odd, LMNO, & Rich One.
The Godfather Of Soul - Mr. James Brown (May 3rd, 1933)
I know I'm a day early, but I wanted to post up and say Happy Birthday to Mr. Please, Please, The Godfather Of Soul, The Hardest Working Man In the Showbusiness.....Mr. James Brown. He was born on May 3rd, 1933. He's a Taurus, just like me.....(yay!)
If it wasn't for Mr. Brown, we wouldn't have the Funk and we wouldn't have Hip Hop. Happy Birthday Mr. Brown.......Always givin us that Cold Sweat Funk!
