DJ Espee, born on March 12, 1984 in Mt. Holly, NJ, has always had a passion for music. In his childhood, he enjoyed listening to R&B and took dreams into becoming an R&B singer or become famous in some way in the music industry. Espee and a group of friends wanted to have stardom, so they formed a group and wrote songs, but it didn’t last long. Espee did not give up. His best friend introduced him to a song that got his attention, Warren G’s classic song called Regulators. This song inspired Espee to listen to more hip-hop/rap titles.
Within the years, Espee listened to the local Philadelphia radio stations such as Power 99 and Philly 103.9, now known as 100.3 The Beat. His interest grew in listening to Philly 103.9 more. At the age of 14, Espee listened to this radio station, almost constantly, and found a certain style that one day would change his life. Every Saturday night, he listened to the mix shows that his favorite DJ at the time, DJ Jay-Ski, was in the mix.
Espee started to think about maybe a new future in life, a career. He started to think about doing something that involves DJing, editing, and possibly producing. He wanted to get feedback and tips from the professionals and he started talking to the on-air personalities such as Bobby Holiday, Shorty Rock and Michael Shawn, producer Jay Black, DJ Touchtone, and DJ Jay-Ski. He became an everyday listener for Bobby Holiday’s show and called in almost everyday. It was a crew that involved Bobby Holiday, DJ Touchtone, and producer Jay Black. Espee did not have good confidence and did not think he had what it took do get into the business, even when he has used a wav program to make his own mixes, and already amazed people, but one person put the confidence in Espee. He found out that one of his favorite DJs, DJ Touchtone, is COMPLETELY blind. Knowing this, Espee was inspired by this man to get started as a DJ.
In November 1998, Espee starting getting DJ lessons from DJ Tony Bruno, a Philadelphia DJ who played at club Deco. Bruno taught Espee the basics of blending at his music store called The Groove House, about 10 minutes from the city. Within the whole month, Espee learned quickly and Bruno helped him mix his first CD.
The next month, Espee received his first set of turntables, two belt-drive Gemini XL-100s and a Gemini two-channel mixer along with about 7 records to start with. Every morning, throughout the day and every day, he was always mixing and started creating mixtapes with hip-hop and club.
He always brought a few mixtapes to high school with him to sell and it caught people’s eye.
A couple of years, and DJ names, later Espee felt he should upgrade on equipment and purchased two Direct-Drive Numark TT100s with a new mixer of coarse. With this, he has doing much more in his career, but still was in the beginning of the process of reaching his new goal, becoming hip-hop’s next biggest DJ and earning the respect, a important part in the music business.
Within a few years, Espee’s DJ career slowed down. He let too much of his personal life get in front of his goals and his passion. He realized that it was time to get back on track and start networking. He had to choose a DJ name that almost nobody else had. He chose to use a simple, corny thought but it worked! He was always wearing South Pole clothing throughout his middle school and high school years. He took the initials S.P. and spelled it out to get Espee. Hate it or love it, it is what it is!
The real business began here on MySpace, May of 2005. He put his name on here and started networking with rappers and found The Game’s DJ, DJ Skee. Espee always asked questions, always wanted to be part of things and talking was his main key of success. DJ Skee let Espee use music from his mixtapes to do his own material.
In March of 2006 came and DJ Espee was told to talk to Johnny Hooks, CEO of Black Wall Street East and part owner of Livelihood Entertainment, because he had asked about becoming a Black Wall Street DJ. The phone call was made and the meeting was scheduled to be in a couple days. In time, DJ Espee had a chance to speak to the man himself, The Game. Espee mentioned all his intentions and goals, and The Game responded "you aint tryin to be shit! U are a Black Wall Street DJ! Welcome to the team!" Was Espee shocked? Yes, but after that and when the meeting took place, it became official.
At the same time, he started spinning for a north New Jersey radio station at Montclair State University as a temp DJ for 90.3FM with Just. This also gave Espee a little more attention, started associating with her and Ru 1 Records (2005 Independent Record Label of the Year). The show helped promote new music from both the underground world and mainstream.
So ever since then, DJ Espee’s name has grown through communicating with both fans and people in the music industry.
He has moved to Los Angeles in September of 2006, looking to network and make BIGGER moves! He’s helping as much as he can with promotions and spinning the best music, helping his closest people. Also, he has been working with Mr. Dont Know aka MDK for the past year, putting out multiple mixtapes such as Live From Iraq, Barz 4 Dayz, and just recently released ENDO with DJ Maaleek (BWS Europe DJ, Czar Squad) and DJ Dre Sinatra (Bum Squad DJ). Espee also has met and networked with other talents such as Quik, Jay Rock, Dubb, Papoose, Roccett, and others. DJ Espee is also starting to work closely with young buzzing rap artist, Metafore.
As 2008 came, more things have been picking up for DJ Espee. He has started working on a new mixtape series, E.ESPEE.N, and is continuing the UnderCrowned Hustla series!
In January, DJ Espee has went on his own, leaving the Black Wall Street label behind him to focus on himself and not limit his business opportunities, but still has love for the team! Towards the end of January, Espee was asked to join the industry’s next biggest DJ group to come out of Texas, The Real DJs. This has widened more opportunities than ever, working with around 60 other DJs and helping with mixtapes coming from the group, such as Mash Mode Volume Two hosted by Paul Wall, making himself well known!
There is still more to come from DJ Espee! He will have exclusive music coming too, so stay tune at djespee.imeem.com!
ITS TIME TO SHINE!!
"Set the goal and reach the goal! Dont let anything stop you!" - DJ Espee
