More about DJ Rawn : The city of Long Beach has turned out to be a hot spot for Power Mixers. DJ Rawn joins the list including E-man and Virman, in fact, they all went to the same High School, Long Beach Poly. Rawn never imagined making a career from mixing. It's always been a hobby for him. The first time he remembers mixing was at a house party while in the 5th grade using the equipment his brother used to have at home.
He eventually became part of a Mobile DJ crew called "Style DJs" that played mostly in the Long Beach area, something that he and his friends predicted in the second grade.
And the crew, including DJ E-man, played everything from school gigs to Quincaneras,
As a kid, Rawn collected comics but that got boring, collected Basketball cards and got bored. Then he found music. Rawn began collecting tapes. From old pop stuff from the legendary Michael Jackson to late 80s' hip hop. Rawn recalls, "I used to record KDAY mixes too, in fact, I still have one when Dr. Dre did a mix from about '88 or '89"
Rawn was so into the music that he used to spend all his lunch money to buy records every week. He was lucky though, because he had two older brothers who collected "funk" and "old skool hip hop" when he started. Although his brothers never officially taught him, he watched everything they did. "The best way to learn is by ear" Rawn says.
The secret to being a good mixer Rawn says is to "practice and feel the music you're playing. You'll do more with the songs you like then the stuff you don't. Go through the CDs in his car right now and you'll find; Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, Miles Davis, Sublime, Chili Peppers and some old Guy. "The first album"
Most people would be surprised to know that with his friends he is wild, because in public he is more laid back. Rawn laughs, "When people look at me, they don't think that I am a DJ. They look at me and think I suck because of the way I look" But when Rawn get off the turntables, the props start to roll in. Rawn loves playing for a crowd because of the visual of whether or not they are enjoying it.
Rawn is best know as the mixer for the Old Skool Show. He and Jeff Garcia take you "back-in-the-day" every Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. The one thing that makes this show unique is they mix everything. Rawn plays more variety during the Old Skool Show from dance to hip hop, booty to funk and everything in between.
FAVORITES
NEEDLES:
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Shure M44G
PLACE TO BUY RECORDS :
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STACKS in Cerritos
DVD:
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BEASTIE BOYS
"It's filled with classics"
DRINK:
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Hennessy Straight
"Mr. Choc, Echo and I call ourselves The Hennessy Brothers"
FAVORITES
