James Yancey (1974-2006)
http://www.j-dilla.com/biography/

In 2000, Detsl has made his debut in the largely underground and unknown Russian rap scene with the album "Who Are You", rapidly shot to fame after his song, called "Friday," won the hearts of teenagers nationwide. He also took part in a Pepsi advertising campaign and was the first russian singer who managed to get a spaceman on MTV Music Awards with the video for the track "Vecherinka" in New York City the same year. In 2001, he released his second album, "Street Fighter". After working for 3 years, Detsl finished working on "Aka Le Truk", his third record, was released by Universal Music Russia , in 2004. The name is also referring to the fact that he somewhat changed his performing name to "Le Truk". This album showcases growth and a major shift in style for Detsl, as he had more freedom and indepencence with the material. Fourth album "MosVegas 2012" has been released on January 4, 2008 this work resurrected his reputation in all matter of sense! Before that he also released a mix tape called "Poetry Nights" in a collaboration with Dj Nik One and all of the most popular Russian & Ukrainian rap artists! On 16th of october 2010 he released a unique album called "Here & Now": this is the best album I made, says Detsl! Now he is working on 6th album and planning to move on international scene, due to that he has recorded two club track's ("Connection" and "Ruff & Tuff"), with he's spanish partners "YALL" from Barcelona and two track's with Jamaican Dancehall artists"Medycin Man" called (Chess Game) and "DaVille" called (Fire) he is also performing with jazz drummer Oleg Butman and they are planning to move on with some projects in future! Detsl is a very popular social person in Russia and in some other parts of the world, with Russian speaking people and not only, he's scene story is 11 years long and as fascinating, as traveling to space and exploring new universes, He's music inspires more and more people, all over the world, his mission is to wake us up! Dedicated to the Warriors of Light!    






Witness DJ Finesse’s artistry on the turntables, hear his work in a blockbuster film or experience his meld of musical selections alongside celebrity clientele. The Brooklyn-born, Queens-raised record spinner exhibits his talents on a wealth of platforms, all with the same skill and flair that his moniker exemplifies. With more than 15 years solidifying his brand in the entertainment industry, Finesse’s reputation speaks for itself.

As a Puerto Rican kid raised in a tight-knit family, music was the soundtrack to his life. His mother had a passion for Spanish boleros, his sister grooved to ‘80s pop records and his father, whose musical palette was widespread, served as a drummer with a local Latin band. Before Finesse put his hand on two turntables, he laid eyes on his dad’s equipment, which kickstarted his appreciation for the many aspects of producing quality sounds. His father’s inspiration and the gift of a DJ setup fostered his creative energy.

Fifteen years old marked a significant milestone for Finesse. Armed with his first Technic 1200 – just a single turntable at the time – he began traveling the road to DJ credibility. An avid sports fan, he parted with a hefty baseball card collection to score a second turntable. Practice makes perfect and with the right equipment, Finesse was on his way to following in the footsteps of lauded mixers that influenced his abilities -- DJ Premier, Kid Capri, Red Alert, Funkmaster Flex, Stretch Armstrong and John Robinson, among them. 

Since scoring his first New York City gig at Club Expo years ago, DJ Finesse has come a long way. Many of Manhattan’s hotspots have since shut their doors, but during their prime, he captivated crowds with his soundscape. From hip-hop to house, Finesse played tunes during residencies at The Tunnel, Crobar, Spa, Pangaea, Gustovino’s, One and Mansion. Clubgoers at venues like Juliet, Tenjune, Home and M2 have also been privy to his talents. He currently showcases his turntable techniques at New York City nightclubs Amnesia, Gunbar and Crimson, where he holds residencies, in addition to spinning monthly at Providence in the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City.

On a larger scale, he’s rocked the house at Madison Square Garden, The Silverdome, Miami Arena, The Superdome, The Alamodome, Texas Stadium, The Target Center and The Continental Airlines Arena. In 2002, he landed Cancun gigs (The City, Bulldog and Fat Tuesdays) for both spring and summer breaks – which continue yearly -- and since 2003, holidays like Memorial and Labor Day weekends have brought him to Las Vegas, where he’s mixed records at LAX, Foundation Room and more.

Party rockers have undoubtedly experienced his quality mixing, but so have Hollywood’s elite and the entertainment industry’s frontrunners. Finesse has earned headlining DJ credits at shows for Rihanna, LMFAO, 50 Cent and T.I., among others. With a history of spinning events like ‘N Sync’s MTV Awards after-party and MTV’s “Millennium Bash,” there’s more than one solid reason why he’s chosen over his competitors: precision, originality and versatility. 

His resume includes performing at the Bud Bowl party with Snoop Dogg for Super Bowl XLII, was featured in the hip-hop documentary “The Freshest Kidz” and on the MTV LP compilation Masters of the 1 & 2: History's Greatest DJs and since 2010 serves as DJ Premier’s resident substitute on Premier's Sirius XM radio show "Live From Headqcourterz,".

Some of his most respected work to date comes from a collaboration with rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan fame. Blending artists’ records is second nature for DJ Finesse, but so is crafting original records, which he’s done for the rhymer. In April 2008, Finesse produced Ghostface’s “Slept on Tony," a song featured in Paramount Pictures’ blockbuster movie Ironman. The track was also featured on Ghostface's Greatest Hits album. Two years prior, in 2006, another successful project with Ghostface earned him placement on the rapper’s More Fish LP: he performed the scratches featured on “You Know I’m No Good,” which featured celebrated singer Amy Winehouse.

A true definition of a creative New Yorker, DJ Finesse’s passion lies in delivering quality music to eager listeners. His collective talents, from turntablism to production, will come to fruition on his debut solo album, which he’s currently crafting. His name stems from having skill in handling a difficult situation -- after all, only a few can master the art of the mix – but it’s artful management of his technique that truly defines what he’s about.



In 1993, years before anyone told ya’ to “get up off them goddamn diamonds”, South Jamaica, Queens, craziest Bal-Hed sons, ONYX, were already busy takin’ some of the Golden Era’s loot and running with it to new heights, stamping the term “hardcore” in its darkest terms upside hip hop’s head with their seminal, trailblazing platinum debut, Bacdafucup.

 

The iconic cover image of four bald, angry-lookin’ niggas, their legendary “MadFace” logo, a shoulder-strapped automatic and a menacing boot-tread took rap to a world that could “Slam” in an era where even looking at someone wrong at a rap show could get you gone. Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, SonSee and the late brother Big DS didn’t break the rules: they scared them the fuck away.

 

Twenty years and several full-length underground classics later, there is still nothing so raw in live rap as getting tossed into the barrier by the smiling, sweating, maniacal fans swarming the pit, to find yourself face-to-face with the ever-Mad Faced, ever Bal-Heded ‘Dro and Sticky (and this summer, on the Rock the Bells tour, Sonsee).

 

Face to face with loud, abrasive greatness, you might just find yourself lucky enough to embrace a boot to the temple when Sticky stage-dives, or swimming with the sharks to make waves for the crowd surfers while you “Throw Ya Gunz”.

 

ONYX made boom bap gangsta, gave metal street cred, and exposed the kinship of hip hop and punk rock cultures to a wider global audience on the strength of their delivery and the look in their eye that said this was no gimmick, motherfucker – all under the guidance of their mentor and producer, the departed architect Jam Master Jay.

 

With the Snowgoons-produced Cuzo LP hot on the way and the custom-built hybrid project Black Rock in the aisles and their newly-minted international “100Mad” click growing stronger, 2013 sees ONYX bring it back-da-fuck up in your mad face. Watch out, ‘cuz they’re coming for head-blood. 


Bio by Darcy MacDonald

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