DJtao

Music:

Member Since: 05/09/2006
Band Website: www.soundclick.com/djtaous
Band Members: ‘DJtao’…..the name conveys the eclectic personality of the artist who bears that moniker. He is a child of hip hop, known not only for his love of DJ’ing, but for all 8 elements that come along with it. He is a talented poet, lyricist, and producer who has gained a following for his raw word play and creative approach to beat making. But ‘Tao’, as many know him, also has a love for the profound, a love that shows through in all of his creative endeavors. A student of philosophy, his hunger for deep understanding led him to earn a Masters in philosophy in 2004. Listen to one of his poems and you can see that this one-of-a-kind artist has found a way of mixing deep philosophical ideas with hip hop lyricism and delivery as he discusses topics ranging from romantic relationships to controversial issues such as racism and abortion. This combination, along with his tireless work ethic, has made him widely respected among poets and audiences throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. He has performed in numerous slams and open mics throughout the area. He was a featured artist in the now-legendary production ‘The Kings and Queens of Poetry.’ He has also appeared as a guest on radio stations such as 169 XM/1450 AM and 96.3 FM WHUR. In addition, his poems and songs have been played on ‘The Poet’s Drum’ cable show in Virginia as well as the weekly ‘Jazz Poetry Café’ internet radio show. A native of Maryland, DJtao first began DJ’ing and MC’ing in high school when he joined Separated Voice, a local rock/hip hop band. Although it came to an end after 3 years, this experience of making songs and being on stage sparked a passion that lives in him today. In 2002, he made his debut appearance as a spoken word artist in Washington, DC. Since then he has gained a reputation for leaving audiences speechless. An artist of many talents, he produced his own debut album, “Unspoken: The Premix”, a dynamic blend of spoken word lyricism, hip hop instrumentals, and turntablist scratching and mixing. He continues his love of DJing by producing hip hop, spoken word, and R&B songs for local artists.
Influences: Make A Move
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Sounds Like: Over the past five years, DJtao has gained a reputation as a talented spoken word poet and stage performer throughout DC and its surrounding areas. But he is now turning a new page in artistic career and audiences are beginning to discover that he is, in fact, an artist of many talents. His debut album, “Unspoken: The Premix,” has arrived after much anticipation. A truly unique album for any genre, it is a dynamic blend of spoken word lyricism, hip hop instrumentals, and turntablist scratching and mixing. With the release of his most recent creative endeavor, he has proven that he is also a very skilled MC, DJ, and producer, having produced the entire album himself. “North Star,” his first single off the album, is already getting regular rotations on internet radio shows. From “Hungry,” which showcases his relentless desire to grow as an artist, to “Real,” an earnest look at the controversial issues surrounding abortion, his poems are truly stimulating to the mind and heart. This album is definitely worth a listen, but you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again.
Record Label: Unsigned