DJ
DJ
Dj Fresh
A
twenty two year vet has probably seen it all, experienced it all and imaginably so, would be done with it all. Kansas City’s DJ Fresh, however, seems to be in perfect stride and more or less at his peak after two decades in the game. As the chief turntable conduit in one of the most violent cities across the nation, he truly has the best of both worlds. In essence, he’s traveled outside his own city in an effort to network with other notable DJ’s/artists and coincidently made a name for himself in a smaller market in the process. Needless to say, through his ingenuous travels, he’s made ends meet by wearing more hats than a baseball team. Hence, the promoter/DJ/host/producer not only has a lot on his plate, but tons of game to spill. “We pretty much get looked over as a city, state, whatever,” Fresh tells, offering the reality of being underestimated as a native planted West of the Mississippi. “The labels look over us and everything, but that just makes these artists out here more hungry.” From Cash Image, Money G & Southside Posse, The Poppers, Toothpick, Mad Marlin, Lee Joe, Rich the Factor and Tech N9ne, the list is long and impressive. But for reasons unbeknownst to him, they’re not the most accepted group on local radio. However, as a consistent voice on Hot 103 Jamz, where he holds down a weekend mixshow called Underground Heat: The Radio Takeover, DJ Fresh has the unique opportunity of showcasing worthy talent.
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And Fresh doesn’t stop there. Beyond the recognition and exposure, his next most immediate goal is “taking this DJ thing to the next level.” Appropriately dubbed “The Gift,” he boasts upwards of 600,000 views on YouTube for his single “Double Dutch” and remains one to watch by industry standards. In association with New Jersey’s Kenyon Entertainment, Fresh takes an active role in distributing his own brand. “When I first started DJin’ it was more raw Hip Hop,” he reminisces on his triumphant and impressive run. “It was a focus on more skills in the DJs. It was more contest music. It was more fun music. It wasn’t so much about glamorizing everything. I mean rappers always were flamboyant, but now they make it like reality. So it’s like, when you turn 16 you’re supposed to get 28” rims on your car. So the kids have started doing everything to get that.” Unsurprisingly, Fresh is keeping busy, most recently finishing his second DVD/Mixtape entitled The Ultimate DVD Mixtape Part 2: In the Basement. He also takes the time to organize lunch time middle school events with his own son as guest host and DJs in every capacity available to him. Says Fresh, “I DJ parties for 70 year olds, black, white, Jamaican parties, African parties, kids parties, clubs… everything.” A CORE DJ, Shadyville DJ and Derrty DJ, Fresh says holla at him for hosting mixtapes. He’ll put the Hip Hop back in it. // www.myspace.com/djfreshlive - DJ Backside