DNY was introduced to the art of wax manipulation in the early 80's by his older brother Tony and his uncle Aundre. It all started with Classics Hip Hop, Funk and R&B but it wasn't until 1987 that he had his own equipment and wasn't using his dad's TV/Record player/8 track/Am FM combo set and/or (2) tape decks. Over the next few years DNY perfecting his craft while performing throughout the Chicago area at: house parties, school dances ect. going by the name of DJ Babalu aka Da Babalu Bad Boy. In the early 90's while in college DNY was able to get a few of his mixes played on a local radio station and that's when he decided that music was going to a hobby that he was willing to pursue on a larger scale. In 1994 he moved to Springfield Ill. and quickly made a name for himself by performing at different types of events/parties. Soon after the move to Springfield DNY picked up a gig DJing at the largest and hottest club in town called the Odyssey. When DNY 1st got the gig it was only as a back-up DJ on Fridays but the manger quick saw his drawing ability and had a respect for his DJing skills and track selections. Fridays soon became hotter then Saturdays their busiest day. That's when DNY was promoted from back-up DJ to head DJ for Fridays and Saturdays. In 1995 DNY wanted to take it to the next level so he started building his studio, founding a production company by the name of Cypo Crazy Productions, and he started producing tracks for local artists, DNY quickly become one of the towns most sought after producers. In 1996 DNY along with an associate, started promoting/throwing concerts/parties in clubs and small venues. In 1997 DNY founded a small independent record label by the name of Streetlife Records and changed his name from DJ Babalu to Dat Nigga Yat. In 1998 DNY along with a family of artists, began working on their debut LP Streetlife Fam Vol. 1. By 1999 the LP was completed and it was time to step up the game. So DNY along with his associate started promoting/throwing concerts in larger venues with major artist(s) such as Bubba Sparxxx, Twista, Juvenile, Mac, Fiend, Public Announcement, Nelly, Do or Die, Johnny P, Jessie Powell, Ying Yang Twins and much more to help promote his artists and record label. In 2001 DNY was invited to join the Kiss Fm Radio Active mix team with DJ Orion and Greg2Hype. That's also when he abbreviated his name for radio to DNY. In 2004 DNY is still doing his thing as far as radio, clubs, concerts, mix tapes, ect are concerned. DNY is now DJing for KTCX Magic 102.5 FM, WCZQ Hot 105.5 FM and he also reports for Crunk, DV8, Hits, Insomniac, and E2K Magazine.
