I am a Dj, Graphic Designer and Beatmaker from France now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I grew up in the 19th district of Paris, France where, I've been exposed to various art forms since I was a child, as all of my family was involved in music and arts.
I love all kinds of musics and Hip Hop has been one of the major influence in my life. As a teenager, in the early 90's, i had an old Brandt turntable (a brand more famous for its washing machines than audio equipment), i took an old little mixing table (with no crossfader) and 2 cassettes desks (that was easy to find because of my parents and brothers being musicians), i dustied off my old Michael Jackson's 45s, dug in my parents records for anything that could sound interesting and i started making my first recording tapes and little mixes and skratches, laying a Gangstarr accapela over Bird's saxophone backed with Guem's african percussions. Well it probably wasn't sounding that great but i was experimenting aiiight...
After i graduated from High School, i got my first Technics SL1200 MK2... combine with my shitty Brandt i had two turntables! damn! Then at 19, i started working and bought my second SL1200 and a new mixer with some of my first paychecks.
As a graphic and web designer, i specialy enjoy working on record covers artwork as it combines my professional skillz with my passion for music and records.
I created a small design and communication agency: Straight Street, that provides high-quality creative design, service and consulting to artists and businesses related to urban cultures and musics. Creating media and providing expertise in this field for a good amount of years, i've been featured and published in various on-line and print publications both in France and in the USA.
I have worked for artists such as french criticaly aclaimed lyricist and Hip-Hop artist Kohndo, beatmakers and djs like: Ameldabee, dj Skandal, dj Brasco, Street Wear clothing Brand: Hash-K, record labels and recording studios: Greenstone Records, Lost and Found Music Group, as well as other urban related start-ups.
I also provide graphic design services to other businesses in various industries such as technology, beauty care and fashion, in both Europe and the United States.
I understand design and music as two closely related art forms, both witnesses of time. One just need to look at how the Jazz aesthetic from the 50's and 60's have been rendered visualy through record cover artwork and photography to understand what I'm talking about.
Nowadayz when i'm not with my family (i'm married and the father of 3 adorable kids) or working hard on graphic design, then I am playing music at home or djing when i get a gig, or sometimes messin with my MPC2000XL, or reading about music, religions and conspiracies (Bush did it yo!!).
I am currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Thank you for checking me out, holla at me if you feel like it. PEACE & BLESSINGS
« Tout récipient arrive à saturation par ce quon y met, seul le récipient du savoir sagrandit de ce quil reçoit » -- Ali Ibn Abu Talib
Check out some of my work and check out those artists:
GreenStone Studio in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa.
