National DJ Day: DJ Thump Opens Up On How He Started
January 20 is National DJ Day. Being a DJ, hip-hop touches me a little differently than some. As we continue to celebrate 50 years of this culture, it has become my way of life. From graffiti, to break dancing on cardboard in the streets to becoming the beat provider for all of the local rappers. Before using a drum machine we made beats with our mouths.
Hip-Hop Was Competitive
Some would agree that hip-hop is a “sport.” It was very competitive then and still now. You had to earn respect for winning a rap battle. Dance crews practiced all week to prepare for a challenge at the neighborhood house party or school dance. From making beats with my mouth, to creating beats on a drum machine, I found it exciting to create something that would make people feel good. To me, music has always fed the soul. According to cloudcovermusic.com, “It has long been understood that music impacts our feelings and mood.” That’s what I love to do, make people feel good and forget about any problems they may have.
Why Did I Want To Become A DJ
The first concert I attended was Run DMC IN 1982 in Los Angeles, CA., and Jam Master Jay had my full attention. It was HYPE! The crowd responded to the beats Jay would drop and by the time RUN DMC started rapping, there wasn’t a person in the building sitting down. That’s when I realized that I wanted to be a DJ.
How Did I Start DJing
I saved my allowance and the extra money I made from raking leaves and other chores for my neighbors. I bought my first Technique 1200 turntable with the money that I saved up which was around $500 at the time. I only had enough for one so I used an old cassette deck as a substitute. A friend of mine had an idea to block off the street and create a block party. We would invite everyone we knew to a party in the middle of a residential street. That didn’t last long because the police came and shut it down because we didn’t have a permit to close down the street.
How Did I Get My Name
I can remember the officer coming over to me and saying “You know you can’t shut down an entire street without permission!” He asked to speak to my parents. I was so scared, I knew I was in big trouble. He asked my mom if I could DJ his daughter’s birthday party! My mom said yes, and that’s how I made my first check. He paid me $100 and when he asked what was my DJ name, I answered “DJ Assassin.” Well, that didn’t go over well with the police officer. I had to come up with another name.
Music was my first love, and sports was a close second. I played football, and my teammates nicknamed me “Thump” because I would hit so hard, that they said it made a thumping sound. That’s how I got the name DJ Thump, and I added The Turntable Assassin.
Who Have I DJ’D For
I started DJing at house parties, skating rinks, and doing school dances. I got really popular fast. I DJ’d behind rappers such as Coolio, “Gangsta’s Paradise”, Tone Loc, “Wild Thing”, The Luniz, “I Got Five On It” and Candyman, “Knocking Boots”. I went on tour at the young age of 17.
In those days, rappers and rap groups had to have someone dope on the 1’s and 2’s aka turntables. A few famous turntablists include, DJ Spinderella for Salt N’ Pepa, LL Cool J had DJ Cut Creator, DJ Yella for N.W.A., and the legendary Grand Master Dee from the group Whodini.
Nothing happens without a good DJ. It’s not what you play… It’s how you play it!
