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Layout by CoolChaser Zellner Jamaal Dale aka DJ Z NyceMusical Background I was exposed to the art of being a true hip hop DJ at an early age. I was born July 12, 1985 and was first introduced to turntables at the age of four by my uncle who was a DJ at the time. This same uncle was the first person to give me any kind of informal training in the art. I was able to soak up his sets and observe his work. Playing around on his equipment allowed me to realize my true love for Hip Hop. My true love for music, not only Hip Hop, became evident while participating in the school band throughout middle school. I learned how to read music during my time in the band and as I aged (and entered high school) I started to experiment with making beats and producing my own music. In high school I began attending parties and enjoyed the party atmosphere, but more than anything I enjoyed the music and the way it was presented in the clubs by the DJ.DJ Experience I currently have been a DJ for a little over two years gaining experience and notoriety throughout the city of Louisville, KY. My first formal job as a DJ was with R.J. Reynolds’ Kool Promotion and while with them I was able to meet and gain experience from such DJ’s as DJ Thru da Roof, DJ Q, DJ E Feezy, DJ Reggie Regg, and other local DJ’s. My first formal gig was on November 23 of 2006 at a 50th Birthday party for a friend’s mother. This is just an example of the versatility I have and am willing to exhibit as a DJ. Around this same time I did weddings, Sweet 16’s, and house parties that all featured various types of crowds. The first club that I played in was Petrus Nightclub on 116 East Main Street in Louisville, KY for Timeless Entertainment’s Spring Breakout. The Spring Breakout was a college party that featured a mixed crowd of young adults 21 and over. I followed up with Timeless Entertainment’s Red & Black Bash at Petrus that was aimed at the same type of crowd. After working these two events and gaining the favor of the club staff, I was given a regular gig at the club and began to host events there. Eventually word of mouth started getting around and I began playing multiple Hip Hop clubs and events around the Louisville area. Some of the venues include Jim Porter’s, Petrus, Club 26, Villa Fontana, Club Premier, Ice Breakers, and currently Club Versatile. During this time, I also hosted a couple of mixtape premiers for the KY Movement and also a Monday Night Open Mic at Club Harlow’s for approximately seven months.Current Projects and Future Goals I pride myself on being able to cater to any urban genre from Hip Hop old and new to R&B and Neo-Soul both old a new and if I had to put my DJ style in a category I would call myself a mixtape DJ. I am currently putting together my second R&B mixtape entitled “80’s Baby Movement” and I am also in the process of completing the “Oldie but Goodie” mixtape featuring old school hip hop. I will be promoting and hosting my own events for MJC/4 Elements Entertainment. Ultimately I aspire to become the most profound DJ not just in the city of Louisville or the state of Kentucky but in the Midwest Region. Getting local artist exposure is a major priority in what I want to achieve as a DJ. Somewhere down the road I would like to create or help create some kind of artist guide or rubric to help local artists take the necessary steps to get their music heard and expose their talents. There are plenty of talented artists out there who just don’t know what steps to take or simply don’t have the clout to get airplay and these are the types of artist that I want to help get an opportunity to shine. Also, the state doesn’t have many (if any) places for kids to learn the true elements and fundamentals of true Hip Hop. My vision is to open a community center where kids can come and get the true story of a unique cultural phenomenon that is never given its proper due. As KRS-ONE said, “Rap is something you do; Hip Hop is something you live.” For too long young urban Black youth have been fed the perception that Hip Hop culture is somewhat inferior to mainstream culture when in all reality Hip Hop culture has a PROFOUND influence on the mainstream. As a member of Slip-N-Slide DJ’s I will bring an advanced knowledge of the music and the culture to the table along with an innovative creative mind for the music. I will not just be a record spinner at parties but a torch bearer for Hip Hop as a culture and way of life.