Welcome everyone to our first edition of “DJ Washington DC Talents & Profiles”. For our inaugural issue we have selected Don “D-Lux” Ashford. DJ D-Lux is originally from Philadelphia and you can instantly tell from his approach to turntablism and his understanding of various genres and sub-genres of music. He is able to entertain you for either several minutes with a display of turntable technics that are on the level of DJ Q-Bert as well as being able to keep a wedding, club, lounge or private event’s dance floor filled for hours. I was lucky enough that he was able to take the time and sit down with us and provide us with some insight on who he is, why he loves what he does and what you should expect out of him for any of his performances.
DJ Washington DC (DJDC):
People come to DJ Washington DC for education on our industry and to obtain a professional perspective from talented and experienced DJ’s. That being said, how long have you been a DJ and what aspect of your talent defines who you are as an entertainer?
D-Lux (DL):
I’ve been DJ'ing since 1988. I believe in giving a show, which I believe most DJ's in this profession today do not believe in that. I never sit down, stop my mix, or pause (unless the client wants me to). My music flows in transition. I take this seriously. Most of my clients/audience can feel my energy when they hear me. I know my music. I know all genres of music. I remember once upon a time you had to earn the title “DJ”. Now cats today download music and call themselves a “DJ”. I hear some of these DJ’s today play and it just irks me to hear them spin today. No respect for the ones who influenced the art form from the past and present.
DJDC:
You are an incredible turntabelist. When I hear you perform it seems as if those Philadelphia influences of Cash Money, Miz and of course my man Jazzy Jeff, seem to show in your approach, when entertaining at a club or lounge how do you incorporate that into a set:
DL:
Being from Philly, I came up listening to these guys. They are major influences in my style. When Jazzy Jeff did “Live At Union Square”, I studied that set over and over until I was able to get my transformer cuts to sound like his. When I heard Cash scratch on “Ugly People Please Be Quite”, I was at aw with his smooth cuts. And when DJ Miz cut up “Peter Piper [by Run DMC] on “We Don’t Play” Every DJ in Philly wanted to learn that scratch! To name a few others, DJ Jay-Ski, Cosmic Kev and Lightning Rich. These DJ’s are still doing their thing. I like to hear my crowd go “Awhhhh” on the dance floor. I love it when I’m scratching or doing something and it makes someone bob their head really hard. I love to flip the old with the new. Old School Parties; I love spinning old Hip-Hop, R&B, Breaks, House and Jazz. These guys are one of the best that ever done that.
DJDC:
When you are contacted by a perspective client and they ask you, “What is your DJ style”. Is that a question that irks you because of your versatility? I ask that question because here at DJ Washington DC we tend to rephrase that question because, based on our experience, presentation of the question in that manner stereotypes DJ’s as either a club, wedding, mitzvah, lounge, house, etc., type of DJ. Would you agree and how do you handle such questions:
DL:
Oh I definitely agree. I believe that the business made it that way. And on the flip side, I think the consumer is trying to figure out what they are getting before they hire the DJ. Craziest gig I have done out of my element was a country western party in the late 90’s. People looked at me while I was setting up and they were questioning whether or not I knew anything about Country Music. Truth is…I didn’t! I got a friend who was heavy into country music to give me a list of songs. I played off that list, took requests, flowed into disco and killed the night. Truth is, if you’re a good DJ, you should be able to overcome any element or environment. The correct way to approach a DJ is to tell them what kind of party you are having and what you want played. Then the DJ could tell you if they’re comfortable playing for your party.
DJDC:
Instead of trying to understand your style, can you help us to understand your approach for performing a wedding for a couple in their early 30’s who (how can I say this and be politically correct) has bank and compare that approach to doing a club or lounge spot in DC that has a tendency to lean towards Top 40 & Hip Hop:
DL:
Well with any wedding I do, I ask detailed questions on what the client wants. Sometimes the client doesn’t know what should go on or needs assistance. I’m experienced with doing weddings. Different things happen at each wedding. It’s a special day for the client, so you should be very specific as possible in what the customer wants. I go into details as to figuring out what songs, dances and other events do they want during their wedding. Club environment, it’s easy because you just play what’s hot. You read your crowd and figure it out. At a wedding, you gotta keep it traditional, but yet provide what the client wants. Then read your crowd once everyone gets loose and then play towards your crowd. A good DJ should know when to switch things up.
DJDC:
I want to go back to the question on preparing for a gig, but I want to add a slight twist. What if you have a couple with different backgrounds who are infatuated with artists such as Bon-Jovi, Beatles, Michael Jackson, Flo-Rida, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Maroon Five & Notorious B.I.G. and during the week you are playing a residence gig where they want nothing but Cameo, Parliament, and 80’s Hip Hop:
DL:
I can do it all! I know my music! When the client gives me a song request list, that give’s me the feel for what kind of music that should be played at the party. There are a lot of DJ’s that can’t be versatile. Why should they call themselves a DJ? Not saying you should know everything, but you should learn how to adapt to your environment musically.
DJDC:
When growing up, what about being a DJ embraced you and when you got your first set of turntables, what was that feeling? I remember when I got my first set of 1200’s, not my first turntables, but my first 1200’s, man that feeling was like, “yes, I am now officially in the DJ game”. Talk about that day and describe in every detail the euphoria of the moment.
DL:
Awh man……..I learned from straight arm turntables…Putting nickels on the head and stuffing tissue under the tone arm. Man 1200’s use to be $800 a pair! I had a friend who I grew up with in North Philly who was a DJ in the early 80’s. I used to walk blocks to use his and practice in his basement. His famous scratch was a basic military scratch. When I got on his tables and did some transformers, he was like “OK little D, I see you” while he was holding a 40 ounce in his hand. When I got my own, dang…..I was soooooo happy because I have wanted them for years! I REFUSE to go away from my 1200’s. They’re just my standard. No offense to the ones who use different. Hey as long as you do your thing, I got no problems with that.
DJDC:
How would you describe the club scene in DC as compared with those of other major markets such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami? I always tend to tell people that within those particular markets it is about the DJ and that those are DJ markets. DC is a Club market where they push the club more than the entertainment. What are your thoughts:
DL:
It is very different. For one, the people that come to the party are different. In Philly, they walk in and start dancing. In DC, I find that people have to see who’s there first before they get on the floor (just kidding). It’s all about the music. Up north, they don’t particularly care for Go Go Music like DC does. But if you go south of Virginia, they love it. I can go to DC and know what to play. I can go to Philly, New York, New Jersey and know what to play. Like you said, it’s all about the DJ.
DJDC:
Now, I really want you to think on this one because this is important in not only how you perform, but how you also prepare for your clients. What do you want clients to remember most about you and your performance:
DL:
That I am a real, true good DJ. I am a show. I’m a professional that brings it! And they would hire me again. I take criticism seriously. If my friend tells me he didn’t particularly like what I played that night, I would get offended! I think a lot of these today DJ’s are lazy and just want to make a dollar. Hey I don’t knock that. But if you just want to set up your iPods, or you just want to play songs one by one, then call yourself an entertainer….not a DJ. Earn the title! The game needs to get back to that.
DJDC:
I always have to emphasize versatility in being a DJ, because you are an artist. However, all artists have aspirations. That being said, if you had the opportunity to play at any arena, club, lounge or venue in the world, where would it be and most importantly, why:
DL:
I would love to perform more overseas. Overseas they have a strong love for Real DJ’s. The atmosphere is crazy different. I’ve done it one time and I would love to go back. Here in the states, anywhere in Vegas because it’s always a party there J
DJDC:
Here is a final question that I am sure will provoke some additional thought. If you had the chance to correct an event in the past, weather it was good or bad, which event would it be and why would you change it and for what reason:
DL:
I was in high school and this girl wanted to hire me at a rec center around the corner from Gratz High School in Philly. I didn’t go record shopping. I didn’t have the latest anything. And my speaker blew out. She called somebody else to DJ the party. I was so mad; I packed my stuff up not knowing that I had left my 1200’s in there. My dad was rushing me to hurry up. Man I was sooo mad. Wish I could have that night back til this day! I should have waited until I got my things right with my music and equipment.
DJDC:
No my man, she is wishing she had that day back because she could have D-Lux at a reduced rate!:) I want to thank you and I also want people to know how to get in contact with you via DJ Washington DC. Keep rocking my man and making it happen!
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