#mostinterestingdjintheworld

[djsandok]

Heavy Hip Hop Set Reflection

Last night was special because it put my journey as a DJ in perspective. 

(March 13, 2020 - Mesa - My Birthday Weekend / The Last Weekend Before Quarantine)

It’s been a standard question to answer as of late: “How have you been dealing with the quarantine?”

I usually refer to THE QUARANTINE SERIES keeping me busy while explaining that I’m an extrovert that thrives off other people.  This is true with teaching, art, and especially DJ’ing.

I came into last night thinking it was going to be a casual R&B listening session with some old and new friends---I was even wearing my favorite R. Kelly shirt.  Little did I know I’d be playing for the generation that helped me fall in love with hip hop and DJ’ing.

--

I started DJ’ing after a road trip with my family to visit some extended family in San Jose.  I was around 12 or 13 at the time I think.  They weren’t professional DJs but knew the basics of DJ’ing.  I was surprised at how simple the concept of transitioning from one song to the next was.

I saved money and bought my equipment.  Then came my vinyl collection.  Then came the hundreds of CD-Rs I needed to make to play the newer stuff and/or rare stuff.

I didn’t know it then but I know it now.  I was part of the last generation of DJs that were hired because of the record library they had.  To put it in perspective, anyone can be a DJ with a limitless library of MP3s now.  You specifically hired a DJ because you trusted his/her limitations in music.  

It was an absolute honor to build a clientele strictly from referrals.  To this day, I don’t really like to DJ for strangers unless they’ve heard me perform somewhere.  

--

(Bryan Black tattooing my leg in 2012)

It reminds me of a conversation I’ve had multiple times with my friend, Bryan Black.  A tattoo should be a collaboration between the tattoo artist and the client.  A client shouldn’t be forcing their vision of the tattoo while disregarding the artist’s advice.  I feel the same exact way with my DJ clients.

All Bryan and I want for our clients are for them to trust us.  

That trust is usually rewarded with something special, memorable, and most importantly, organic.  

--

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ej (@sandok_) on Apr 27, 2018 at 3:22pm PDT

(Skratching to Leon Bridges in my classroom in 2018)

I’ve been thinking about how I define myself as a DJ in 2020.  Yes, by default, I’m a Hip Hop DJ.  

However, I’m not really sure where Hip Hop stands today.  I think the “good” Hip Hop sampling era died somewhere along where Kanye’s music started getting overtly self-centered and simply not good.

With the music industry changing drastically because of the internet, it’s probably really easy to find a talented rapper.  Hell, I’m friends with some of the best emcees I’ve ever heard.

But what next?  How do you market them to people on the internet?  How do they make a career out of it?  How do you connect them to producers so they can reach their potential?

That’s why I think the next stage of Hip Hop is centered around artists like Bryson Tiller, SiR, and Frank Ocean.  

Simply put: you have to be able to showcase some musicality that isn’t necessarily based on rhymes and sampling.

--

(Toby, my munchkin cat, posing in front of some the most talented female R&B artists of the century)

Which brings me back to why last night was so special.  I’ve been so stuck on the above mentality for a very long time knowing I’ve been bored of new Hip Hop for a while.

Nevertheless, I get really excited about really good R&B.  And the 21st-Century has definitely been providing.  SZA, H.E.R., Jorja Smith, Lana Del Rey, Snoh Aalegra, Summer Walker, and Jhene Aiko to name a few.

I’d like to think I’m good at spinning that stuff because there’s an intimate feeling with their music that I’d like to share with the listener.

Nevertheless, where does that leave me in 2020 as a “Hip Hop DJ?”  Especially since I tried my hardest to have my roots grounded in the culture.  I learned how to DJ breaks from Dwenz and the Foundation FunKollective, an incredibly influential figure and organization in the Los Angeles Hip Hop community.  Did I abandon hip hop in the 2010/2020s?

Hell nah.

--

My first DJ mentor, DJ Redline, dropped in the set around 8:30 PM.  My sister had some classes with him at CSUF and he took me record shopping when I was in 7th/8th grade.  He let me in on all the DJ secrets with buying records, mixing, skratching, etc.  He even gave me a BUNCH of records which gave me a sense of pride knowing during those times DJs are what their records are.  I didn’t have anything.

Anyway, I decided to drop a LA Symphony track knowing we’re both big fans of them.  

Damn.  That was the catalyst that brought out a BUNCH of memories.

That was one of my favorite 12″ vinyl that I loved showing off back in the day.

I definitely feel spoiled that I have the MP3 and can play it whenever I want.

But, I don’t play it.  At all.

lordnik0n_ was the first to be stoked about the LA Symphony drop.

I later found out he’s the father of a former student.

That student used to tell me his family listens to my recorded mixtapes all the time.

Little did I know that he’s been tuning in to my quarantine series.

The night progressed into a HEAVY esoteric hip hop set that probably lordnik0n_, Redline, and I knew.  

Peep the set here.  It starts around 1:43:00

As a DJ, your job is to play for your crowd, my crowd was two people last night even though there were more watching.

I never get to play any of this stuff.  It was important to me to get a recording of it so I could listen to it later.

--

Last night was special because it brought my journey as a DJ full circle.

I grew up knowing there are really talented Filipino DJs before actually learning the fundamentals.

I learned the fundamentals through imitating radio station DJs (Icy Ice, Melo-D, E-Man, etc.) and other DJ Crews (Invisbl Skratch Piklz, The Beat Junkies, The 5th Platoon, etc.)

I immersed myself in Hip Hop culture by participating in B-Boy events as a DJ and building a record collection.

I built a clientele that trusted my taste in Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, Soul, Rock, etc.

I heavily incorporate my love and appreciation of music and culture into my English Language Arts classroom.

I was welcomed as a resident DJ at Mesa which started a shift in the music they were providing for their guests

--

It’s really hard to describe last night because I was thinking about all those bullet points simultaneously and reflecting where we are during this weird-ass quarantine lockdown.

But something really special happened when I was playing MP3s that I have as vinyl.  All those memories of when I was young, naive, and wide-eyed about the world came flooding back to me.  

All those memories came back and I was able to organically rock a hip hop set as if it were 2004 all over again.

All those memories made me realize that I haven’t really changed much.  My shift in music taste doesn’t necessarily mean I’m abandoning my Hip Hop roots.  It shows that I’m still hungry and wide-eyed about the world and want music to continue to give me the happiness it’s always provided me.

--

(Rampage, High School Sandōk, Sunnynblue circa 2005)

I wish I had more pictures of when I first started DJ’ing.  I think I was insecure because I didn’t want the label of “Bedroom DJ” because I wanted to be something much more.

Kind of ironic now that I’m DJ’ing in my living room for y’all.  HAHAH

--

A huge thank you to everyone that has been influential in my life.  That includes my clients, friends, family, and random people that enjoy my music at a bar/club/twitch stream.

holla.

[djsandok]

Dealing with Dilemmas

My friend had an idea for a rap mixtape that he knew I’d appreciate. I wish I could share the title but I don’t want to say it until he releases his project that inspired my project.

I had many working titles.

Simpin’ Season Cuffin’ Ain’t Easy In Drake’s Feelings The Soundtrack of Sandok Horseman Nothing Lasts To All The Girls That I’ve Ghosted and Those That Ghosted Me

I thought about writing some super cryptic dedication with this release but nah. That’ll ruin the mystique.

Holla.

Link to Download MP3

Track Listing:

sza - normal girl nelly + kelly rowland - dilemma selena - if i could fall in love frank ocean - swim good xscape - who can i run to erykah badu - next lifetime jorja smith - lost and found lauryn hill - ex-factor 6lack - let her go usher - milk carton janet jackson - where are you now bryson tiller - exchange 6lack - ex callin’ craig david - 7 days snoh aalegra + vince staples - burns like the cold sza - quicksand beyonce - hold up lana del rey - ooh baby miguel + j cole - come through and chill sza + drake - come and see me at twoAM

[djsandok]

Overdue

Oh my gosh.  I can’t believe it’s been close to three years since I released Damsels and Dames. 

At least it made naming this mixtape pretty easy.  Haha!

It’s been tough to record because of my teaching schedule and my Friday nights at Mesa.  

Thank you for your continued love and support.  I’ll see you this Friday at Mesa!

Cheers, sandōk

P.S. - You can always find links to download my mixtapes here!

Stream Here

Download the iPod ready mixtape

Download the long MP3 version

Track listing: 01. kanye west - drive slow 02. ll cool j - backseat 03. lil kim - crush on you 04. junior m.a.f.i.a. - player’s anthem 05. nas + lauryn hill - if i ruled the world 06. total - what about us? 07. gangstarr + total - discipline 08. ma$e + total - tell me what you want 09. erick sermon + marvin gaye - music 10. chance the rapper - finish line 11. tatyana ali - daydreamin’ 12. naughty by nature - holiday 13. musiq soulchild - just friends 14. aaliyah - rock the boat 15. notorious b.i.g. - one more chance (remix) 16. ashanti - foolish 17. ja rule + ashanti - mesmerize 18. 2pac - i get around 19. tlc - creep 20. notorious b.i.g. + r. kelly - !@#$ you tonight 21. bryson tiller - don’t

[djsandok]

Damsels & Dames

Oh my gosh.  I can’t believe it’s been a year and four months since I opened Ableton to start a mixtape.  At least I had my priorities in order when I focused on the quality of my teaching.  I was scared that I forgot all the small tricks I learned in Ableton over a year ago but it’s just like riding a bike.

I wanted to dedicate a mixtape to all the female vocalists and some rappers.  I have a lot of ideas for mixtapes; however, this was the easiest to execute in a short period of time.   I asked my friends on Facebook if they had any artists they wanted to hear.  I got a lot ofgreat suggestions that I’m saving for future projects.  I’m hoping to maybe make Damsels & Dames going through a miniseries of different themes.  For example there were songs I really wanted to throw in but were just way too slow or way too funky.

I had a lot of fun making this.  I think I was caught singing “What’s Love Got to do with It?”when my friends came over.  Hahah.  I really like how this album is all of the place with a different mood attached to each song.  There are parts where it’s really funky, parts where it’s slow and sensual, and parts where it’s rhythmically hypnotic.  I hope you enjoy it!

Here is the track listing:

01. tamia – officially missing you (remix)  02. amy winehouse – you know i’m no good (remix)  03. the fugees – killing me softly  04. les nubians – bebela  05. lana del rey – serial killer  06. grimes – vanessa  07. erykah badu – bag lady (remix)  08. dionne waricke + j.dilla – stop, you’re gonna want me back  09. sade – love is found  10. janelle monae – neon valley street  11. portishead – it could be sweet  12. the roots – you got me  13. janet jackson – where are you now  14. mary j. blige – my life  15. aaliyah – four page letter  16. janet jackson – anytime anyplace  17. kendrick lamar + drake – poetic justice  18. rihanna – stay (branchez remix)  19. monica – don’t take it personal  20. mariah carey – heartbreaker </3  21. tlc – creep  22. tina turner – what’s love got to do with it?  23. salt ‘n peppa – shoop  24. janelle monae – dance apocolyptic

STREAM

HERE

DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE

HERE and MIRROR #1

LONG MP3 VERSION 

HERE and SOUNDCLOUD  and MIRROR #1

Cheers, sandōk

[djsandok]

The Westcoast

I was talking about this idea for a mixtape for quite some time now.  It was tough because I wanted to do so much with it but still keep the smooth westcoast vibe throughout.

I finally disciplined myself to sit down and look for a tracklist with my favorite westcoast artist. I opened with Tupac’s “To Live and DIe in LA” because it has that cruisin’ down sunset (liking the scene) vibe. I wanted to throw in Cube’s “It was a Good Day,” but I opted with the just-as-smooth, “You Know How We Do.” The rest of the track list kind of made itself. I really wanted to represent the westcoast G-Funk, Gangsta vibe, and raw talent.

I wanted to throw in some Odd Future and Blu since I put Kendrick Lamar on here–but Odd Future Hits too hard for this mixtape. and I couldn’t find a right place effort Blu.

Track Listing

01. tupac – to live and die in l.a. (oakland/los angeles) 02. ice cube – you know how we do (compton) 03. warren g – this dj (long beach) 04. tha dogg pound – let’s play house (long beach) 05. nwa – express yourself (compton) 06. dr. dre & snoop – nuthin’ but a g thang (compton & long beach) 07. dr. dre – the next episode (compton) 08. mista grimm – endo smoke (west covina) 09. snoop dogg – gin and juice (long beach) 10. snoop dogg – lay low (long beach) 11. nwa – chin check (compton) 12. nwa – hello (compton) 13. cypress hill – how i could just kill a man (south gate) 14. del tha funkee homosapien – BMs (oakland) 15. pharcyde – runnin’ (los angeles) 16. the game – hate it or love it (compton) 17. dj quik – you’z a gangsta (compton) 18. kendrick lamar – the heart part ii (compton) 19. rappin 4 tay & pretty lights – playa’s club (san fran) 20. tupac – i wonder if heaven got a ghetto (oakland/la) 21. luniz – i got 5 on it (oakland) 22. dr. dre – xxplosive (compton) 23. [bonus track] kendrick lamar – ronald reagan era (compton)

I hope you y’all enjoy this mixtape! To think…I almost left out Cypress Hill–one of my favorite hip hop groups!

download

[djsandok]

Last Drive of the Night

I finished this mixtape relatively quickly.  I would play around with the tracks at the beginning of my gigs and fine tune it at home.  I was having trouble thinking of a title since it was a bit eclectic and down-tempo.

I was brainstorming ideas when I remembered Stones Throw recently released a new version of J. Dilla’s Donuts and I thought it would be nice to open with a track from that album.

I chose to open with  my favorite track, Last Donut of the Night.

My friends and I have been obsessed with that Ryan Gosling movie, Drive, and its amazing soundtrack.

I started with Last Donut of the Night and ended with the movie’s theme song–hence, Last Drive of the Night was born.

I hope everyone likes it.  I always wanted to do a lounge mixtape, but I didn’t want it to limit it to just that genre.

Dedicated to the great artists that are no longer with us; J. Dilla, Teddy Pendergrass, and the recently late, one and only, overweight lover, Heavy D.

Until next time, sandōk

1. j. dilla – last donut of the night 2. teddy pendergrass – love t.ko. 3. handsome boy modeling school feat. moloko – the truth 4. frank ocean – swim good 5. xscape – just kickin’ it 6. zapp and roger – computer love 7. big daddy kane – very special 8. paid & live feat. lauryn hill – all my time 9. michael jackson – you rock my world 10. massive attack – thankful for what you got 11. the roots feat. big k.r.i.t. – make my 12. maxwell – ascension 13. sade – kiss of life 14. gorillaz – revolving doors 15. mtume – juicy fruit 16. tony! toni! toné! – anniversary 17. prince – if i was your girlfriend 18. aaliyah – one in a million 19. mayer hawthorne – when the night falls (chromeo cover) 20. the xx, college, and electric youth – a real vcr hero

[djsandok]

Spring Redux

Happy summer, everyone.  I haven’t been recording as of late; however, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working.

I started to hate my first mixtape, Spring ’10, after getting familiar with recording options.  Modern software allowed me to take my time with my recordings opposed to recording a live set and releasing that.

I worked on redoing my mixtape periodically in my free time after I released Happy Hour.

That being said, I give you, Spring Redux, a cleaned up version of Spring ’10 with an updated playlist.

Cheers, sandōk

Track Listing 1. stevie b – spring love 2. new order – blue monday 3. prince – i would die 4 u 4. shiela e – glamorous life 5. depeche mode – just can’t get enough 6. pet shop boys – always on my mind 7. new order – bizarre love triangle 8. anything box – living in oblivion 9. ghost town djs – my boo 10. inoj – time after time 11. ready for the world – o sheila 12. michael jackson – pretty young thing 13. baby bash ft. marty james – fantasy girl 14. chromeo – don’t turn the lights on 15. phoenix – if i ever feel better 16. deep dish/stevie nicks/ prince – little red dreams 17. chromeo – night by night 18. bag raiders – shooting star 19. [bonus track] q lazzarus – goodbye horses

[djsandok]

Happy Hour

I’m at a loss on how to introduce this mixtape.

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it.

I put a lot of ’90s because I came to the conclusion that I’m a ’90s DJ that was born in the wrong generation.

download here / one long mp3 version here

Dedicated to Biggie and Big Pun.

[djsandok]

The ’90s Mixtape

  Good evening, everyone.

I’ve been anticipating making this mixtape for a while.  I never really had the discipline to dedicate studio time as of late.

And when I actually did two days ago, my computer struggled to keep up with my recording.

After many takes, hours of time, and numerous signs that it’s time to buy a Mac…I finally finished a good enough copy for distribution .

The music of the ’90s have a very special place in my heart; and this mixtape is a representation of my favorite kinds of music.  From cheese to sleaze, I hope you enjoy it.

[djsandok]

Spring Soulstice Mix

I just finished recording a soulful mix.