Dj GREGG NYCE

By Antoinette Colon Connection Staff istening to the radio wasn’t enough for Gregg Nyce. He wanted to be the DJ spinning records, so he bought two second-hand turntables and began his journey to master mixology. Nyce began spinning for free at friends’ parties when he was in tenth grade, and he quickly outgrew his first machines. Inspired by such celebrities as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mister Cee, DJ Bobby Konders and Jabba, Nyce knew he could do it professionally when he “killed a house party.” The guests had released all their inhibitions and mounted furniture to dance, he said. But it was DJ Kenny Meez from Philadelphia who mentored DJ Gregg Nyce. Moving from the Reading area to Philadelphia, Nyce began working at a popular record store called Armands Records. “After I moved to Philly, I hooked up with Meez and got my first real gig at the Eden Roc Club on Friday nights. I was spinning hip-hop and R&B on the main floor for three years,” Nyce said. One night quickly grew to two and three nights per week, and before he knew it, Nyce was mixing tracks live in the exclusive Club Glam, 52 South 2nd Street in Old City Philadelphia. “It was a real jiggy spot. There was a VIP room upstairs. Celebrities like Alan Iverson and Donovan McNabb used to chill there,” Nyce said. “I spinned on a Saturday night and then they asked me to do it again on other nights too. I guess you could say it was my peak at the time with all the big names.” DJ Nyce compiled his mastery of mixing hip-hop and reggae into his “Milky Series” of CDs. In conjunction with Eden Roc, South Street, five volumes of mixes were released. Most recently, Nyce produced a series called “Urban Dynasty.” Nyce said the third volume will be released this fall. Returning to his roots in 2003, drumming up more local support, Nyce began spinning on special occasions at Tommy’s Cafe and Cabana Bar, Douglass Street in Reading. In addition to this venue, he made regular appearances at Reading’s Brass Lantern, 12th Street. Now, Nyce can be heard spinning vinyl at parties and clubs for special events in Manhattan and Brooklyn. He appears regularly, mixing musical loops and exciting audiences at The Five Spot, 5 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, on Friday & Saturday nights. Beginning this Sunday, he’ll be spinning reggae music at Tommy’s regularly for their Caribbean night. Over the years, technology has advanced and changed the way everyone plays music. DJ Nyce is no exception. “I don’t have to carry crates of records anymore,” he said. “I always take a back-up crate though. I use a computer program that has the music in MP3 format. I have two blank records that read the MP3 and play it off of the record.” This advance in technology still allows the same mixing and scratching that’s produced between the needle and vinyl. But it’s definitely a change from the now-old-school way of spinning that originated in the 1980s. “The way I get my music has been the biggest change in what I do,” Nyce said. “I don’t have to use traditional records. I put the needle on the record and choose what song to play on which turntable. It takes two turntables and a hard drive with a dope program called Rane Serato. Another change is I used to buy my records, and now promoters give them to me for free. I still occasionally buy records though.” Nyce enjoys visiting the classics while throwing in some up-to-date flavor to keep everyone guessing. His mixes include everything from 80s pop and old-school hip-hop music to contemporary rock and roll. “I love everything they’re doing now with the mash-ups of rock and hiphop sounds,” Nyce said. “It widens the selection of songs for DJs. Reggaeton is really big in the club these days. It takes a long time for the hits to go mainstream. I like anything that gets people dancing and keeps them on the dance floor,” Nyce said. “The down south [southern rap], reggae and reggaeton are all really big now. I like the music that gets people hyped.” Frequent special requests include late rap legend Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher Wallace), rap mogul Jay-Z and the eccentric Michael Jackson. Taking requests, catering to the crowd and mixing seamless, irresistable music are just a few aspects that have allowed DJ Gregg Nyce’s local and regional success. Contact reporter Antoinette Colon [email protected] the needle on the record DJ Gregg Nyce puts the spin on the local club scene. Where to find DJ Gregg Nyce In person *Sunday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., spinning smooth reggae classics for Caribbean cook-out night at Tommy’s Café and Cabana Bar, 220 Douglass Street, Reading. *Friday nights from 11-3am @ Club Transit, Philly spinning hip-hop, reggae and R&B *Saturday nights @ The Five Spot, 5 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, spinning hiphop, R&B, reggae On the web www.myspace.com/djgreggnyceDJ Gregg Nyce spins at local and regional venues with an occasional gig in New York. After over 10 years of experience in the club and party scene, he has seen first-hand how advances in technology have changed art of turntabling. “I like anything that gets people dancing and keeps them on the dance floor,” -DJ Gregg Nyce
DJ GREGG NYCE Remixes & Blends
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