SHAWN PHILLIPS

Shawn's BIO: Back in the days Shawn learned and lived as much of the Hip Hop culture as he could (check Blaze Magazine which mentions Shawn as being the godfather of the Salt Lake City hip hop and House scene ). As a break-dancer, graffiti artist and emcee, Shawn was living the culture and quickly developed an ear for the music people wanted to party to. Putting two records on the turntable and breakin' to the sounds of early Soul influenced Dance Music, Hip-Hop and Techno-Funk helped Shawn develop a vibrant passion for a DJ culture and the music associated with it.
Holding his own with turntable skills refined since his humble beginnings, Phillips perfected different scratching techniques and learned how to "quick mix" 50 records in 25 minutes. He also produced numerous 4 track edited "quick mix" tapes which showcased his unique style. "I remembered our Mom allowed us to fix up and spray paint the basement of her house so that we could practice all night." Shawn was so good at Poppin’, Lockin’ and breakin, he performed in numerous shows and concerts also appearing at the Salt Palace during the halftime of a Utah Jazz game.
While living in the Bay Area, Shawn observed and replicated well known DJs such as Cameron Paul, and others , perfecting skills and marketing strategy one step further, with his own radio and club events.
Shawn then hooked up with Sam Smith (a well known radio DJ) at Salt Lake's KCRL 91 FM and began to expose his mixing ability and musical selection to the station's audience. Soon thereafter, Phillips was hired to spin at "The Bay," one of Salt Lake City's largest night clubs. Once behind the decks, Shawn sharpened his club skills, learning how to take control of a crowd through the music AND his own mixing ability. Through the years Shawn continued to be responsible for the success of all of the big dance clubs in Utah. From The Bay to Jags to The Vortex to Bricks (Club Sound) and Club Axis (and many more), Shawn was the musical genius behind them all. It is also noted that Shawn was the first to break new genres of music in Utah such as Hip-Hop and House Music.
In the 90’s after working for 5 different radio stations, Phillips locked down a gig at KZHT 94.9 (now 97.1), Salt Lake City's first Dance and Urban radio station (now mainstream top 40), programming Hip-Hop, R&B, techno and house mix shows for the past 15 years, (personally creating, producing and hosting one of the longest running “Underground HOUSE shows” in the US called THE VYBE) lasting through many ownership changes at the station. One must note that Shawn was the first DJ to ever have a mix show in Utah on a commercial radio station.
Shawn has worked with the biggest names in the industry. He has deejayed for and worked with numerous artists including:
RUN DMC, SOS Band, Gap Band, Kurtis Blow, Sugarhill gang, Roger and Zapp, Rose Royce, Boys II Men, Chaka Khan, The Jets, Lakeside, Whodini, Ce Ce Peniston, Montell Jordan, Coolio, Groove Theory, PM Dawn, Monica, Naughty by nature, The Baka boys, Lighter Shade of brown, Skee-lo, Digital Underground, LaBouche, Ace of Base, The Real McCoy, Jocelyn Enriquez, U-Krew, Maxi Priest, Planet Soul, Groove Theory, Max-A-Million, Brandy, Usher, Tia Carrere, India, Joey Kidd, Grand Master Flash, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Brian Tappert, Funky Green Dogs, Georgie Porgie, Xavier Joshua, Bad Boy Bill, Paul Johnson, Richard Humpty Vission, Ian Pooley, Roger Sanchez, DJ Spen, DJ Oji, Jose Nunez, Grant Nelson, Eddie Amador, Benji Candelerio, DJ Icey, Swedish Egil, Pete Heller, Miranda, Groove junkies, Mijangos, Moby, DJ Groove, Dj Enrie, DJ Midi-Mac, Paul Oakenfold, Tony B. ,Mousse-t, Boris Dlugosh, Kerri Chandler, Lego, Richard F., Jesse Saunders, Dj Disciple, Kerri Chandler, Bear-who, Mike Rizzo, Juan Atikins, Juan Martinez, Mike Flores, DJ Irene, Frankie Bones, DJ Trajic, Alex Boye’ and many many more…
In addition to Shawn's years of experience in the clubs and on radio, he's also maintained close ties to the national dance music industry. Through his Billboard and Dance Music Authority and other world known dj magazines, Shawn was eventually recognized for his contributions by being named Billboard Reporting DJ of the year at the Winter Music Conference 1999, the world's leading dance music industry convention. Shawn was also awarded the prestigious “CLUB DJ of the YEAR” in 2000.
In 2000 Shawn, partner Dave Altamirano and sister J. Love co-produced "Alright" with Los Angeles superstar DJ, Richard "Humpty" Vission for Tommy Boy Records Silver Label. Thus resulting in a Grammy nomination for Richard for this exact song!!!!!
Deejaying is about exposing the music that creates memories for that moment in time. Deejays have the ability to take you back or move you forward. They have the ability to teach you and to lift you up. It is the responsibility of a dj to expose the music that otherwise doesn’t get promoted. The dj should make you DANCE and remember that life is worth celebrating.
“Come back to Life, happiness and love while playing music”. You should be able to let your worries and weekly stress go while listening, dancing or watching a DJ.
DJ’s should not only blend two records together but with today’s technology create a collage of sound and feeling to LIFT and INSPIRE your crowds!
Today more than ever with the state of our world we need to enjoy GOOD MUSIC! We need to experience the exhilarating sensation while the DJ takes you higher. We need to allow music to bring us together for a brighter tomorrow!
In 2007 Shawn Phillips joined MOVIN 100.7 in Salt Lake City. You can hear him in the mix every weekday @ 12 noon, 5pm and Fri & Sat Nights from 7pm til 2am...YES BRINGIN BACK THE HOUSE MUSIC TOO!!!!!
“There’s not a problem I can’t fix, cause I can do it in the mix” – Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
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