LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ SMC Recordings) - When West Coast Hip-Hop award winner
DJ Fresh gets to work, he means business. The turntablist and producer pulled no punches to create "The Tonite Show," his debut album on SMC Recordings (PINKSHEETS: SMCE) and Town Thizzness.
The 28 year-old Baltimore native who currently resides in Oakland, CA already has a string of "street albums" with the same moniker. While those projects focused on promoting specific artists, this album showcases Fresh's versatility and ingenuity as a producer.
The 22-track album features guest appearances from artists across the hip-hop spectrum including reputable acts Too $hort, Raekwon, Kool G Rap and Mistah F.A.B., as well as rising regional artists Sleepy D, D-Lo and Beeda Weeda.
Fresh's obsession with hip-hop began as a child. "I grew up with a lot of DJs in my family," said Fresh. "My dad, cousin and brothers were all DJs. I used to sneak downstairs and get on the turntables and try to do what they did."
Older brother and mentor DJ Dummy took him under his wing and Fresh was soon working with Common, Nas and Raekwon. He also started competing on the battle circuit in the late nineties, landing in the top three winners circle in competitions like the Zulu Nation battle, ITF and the DMC Championships.
By 2001, Fresh took his career to a new level and started producing beats. Drawing inspiration from the music from his childhood, coupled with his love for melodies and piano chords, Fresh's songs are not easily defined. He can produce for Messy Marv while in the same breadth produce for M.I.A., capturing each artist's individuality by means of sound.
