If any DJ can rightfully claim LA as theirs, it’s this guy. He gets a whole lotta love in this town. DJ AM simply does it better and has paid his turntable dues many times over. Few DJs garner indie cred and get stalked by paparazzi. We say that makes AM one of the realest “scenesters” we know. From bottle service nights to a kegger on the dancefloor, he’s a lesson in dexterity. Speaking of skill, he and Jazzy Jeff are hitting a few cities around the US doing shows on four turntables and he’ll be taking the TRV$DJ-AM collaboration live to Coachella. “I am very excited…and plan on making a set people will hopefully talk about till next Coachella.” A DJ’s dream, indeed…
The LA 5
Bloc Party “Banquet”
Dr. Dre “Nuthin But a G Thang”
Daft Punk “One More Time”
Soulwax “Krack”
Does It Offend You, Yeah? “We Are Rockstars”

Top LA DJ moment? Just after the awful murder of Jam Master Jay. I was DJing a Maxim party with Mix Master Mike. I am on after Mike and I see Run and DMC walk in. They made their way towards the stage and were posted up just taking in the crowd and checking out the party. I remember DMC had on a R.I.P. JMJ custom-made jacket. Just then I remembered that I had worked on a tribute mix using “Full Clip” by Gangstarr and “Jam Master Jammin’” by Run-DMC. I was so nervous to do it cause I might mess it up and that would be so disrespectful. I grew some balls and realized I only will probably ever have one chance to do this mix in front of them. So I start “Jam Master Jammin’” and quick throw “Full Clip” on the other side (this is pre Serato) and get ready. I am sweating as I see they both stop bobbing their heads in shock that I would play “Jam Master Jammin’” in a mid-party set. Right on the line “then take a count, 1 2 3, Jam Master Jay, Run-DMC” I scratch and repeat the line “Jam Master Jay, Jam Master Jay, Jam Master Jay, rest in peace,” and I see DMC put a fist in the air, turn and look at me, and a tear came out of his eye.

When we interviewed you a few years ago, you’d said a dream gig would be to play with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Wow. Gonna make me cry and shit. I love when dreams come true. God has been so good to me sometimes I just speechless and wanna say “why me?” If I retired now I would be totally happy.

What else would you like to do professionally that you haven’t yet acheived? Work at a treatment center for drug addiction. Being a recovering addict, I want to give back all I have got. That’s the only way I get to keep it.

Best way for a new DJ to set themselves apart? Mix live. Playing pre-made “mash-ups” for 90% of the night is corny. Try dropping an acapella with no idea what beat you’re gonna drop under it live at the club. Then it’s like you lit a fuse and have to disarm the bomb before you kill everyone with an acapella for three minutes. Now you got pressure to work hard to find what sounds good and get that ROAR from the crowd on your own. Earn the roar! Practice everyday and take every gig you can. No practice is better then actually working in front of people.