User:DJ JS-1
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== DJ JS-1 ==
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| DJ JS-1 | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Tramontozzi |
| Also known as | DJ JS-1, JERMS ONE |
| Born | December 17, 1974 |
| Origin | Queens, New York City |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Instrument(s) | Drum machine Keyboard Sampler Turntable |
| Years active | 1994-2008 Solo 1999 -With RAHZEL |
| Label(s) | GROUND ORIGINAL FATBEATS RECORDS |
| Website | [1] |
Over the past decade, the hip-hop turntablist has gained immense popularity and mainstream recognition. No doubt, one deejay at the forefront of this movement is DJ JS-1. Born and raised in Queens, New York, the 30-something beat maker has been spinning since the golden era of the late 80’s. Throughout the 90’s, JS honed his craft by competing in local battles, releasing some of the underground’s hottest mixtapes, and appearing on scratch albums like The Return of the DJ series on Bomb Records.
In 1999 JS got the opportunity of a lifetime: MTV’s DJ Skribble asked him to appear on the acclaimed show “MTV JAMS” during the high profile “Hip Hop Week.” Soon after, the network asked JS to spin for their “Campus Invasion Tour ’99.[1]”[2] Most notably, the next year JS performed live from Times Square on the “MTV New Years Eve Millenium Special” for millions of tv viewers. But “MTV JAMS” proved even more telling for JS-1. While filming for MTV and recording with DJ SKRIBBLE & DJ SLYNKE, JS met his partner Rahzel, the legendary beat boxer, who was also filming for MTV that day. The chemistry was undeniable and the two have worked together ever since, performing at over 800 shows worldwide, in 5 continents, and more than 25 countries and hundreds of cities. Their show is well known for being the best two-man, beatbox-DJ group in the world[3]. You must see DJ JS-1 scratch records with his feet to believe it’s real!
The MTV appearances lead to other small screen gigs. In 2000, he did commercials for BET’s video show ‘Rap City’. Later, JS was able to spin on 5 different episodes on BET, including shows with the Hot Boys, Rass Kass, Rahzel, Killah Priest, Dead Prez, and others. In addition, JS worked with TWIX, MIXWELL, REDBULL, Adidas, Mossimo, HBO, TNN, Kool Cigarettes, and more. Throughout the years of touring, JS has also performed and appeared on countless foreign television shows in Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, The Netherlands, and more.
Now, one half of the infamous team with Rahzel, ex-beatboxer of The Roots, JS-1 has released 3 albums, “Ground Original,” “Claimstake,” & “Audio Technician”[4] through Fatbeats Distribution[5], Bomb Records and Studio Distribution. All three albums feature a bevy of hip-hop heavy-hitters, including Common,KRS-ONE,Kool G Rap,Big Daddy Kane, Royce Da 5’9”, OC, Masta Ace, Casual, Evidence of Dilated People, Jeru Da Damaja, Dice Raw of The Roots, Prince Poetry of Organized Konfusion, Planet Asia, Tragedy Khadafi, Ill Bill of Non-Phixion, J-Live, C-Rayz Walz, and MC Supernatural to name just a few.
By 2001, JS had started to set himself apart from most other turntablists by working with some of the most legendary names in hip-hop and releasing many unforgettable singles. “Essentials,” the (2001) track featuring KRS-ONE and Rahzel and “Take A Loss” (2001) featuring Kool G Rap. In 2002, he dropped “Beyond”, featuring OC, “Licensed 2 Ill” featuring Ill Bill of Non-Phixion, and “While I’m Dancin” featuring Common[6]. In 2003, he released “Won’t Stop” featuring Jeru Da Damaja which helped anchor his position as one of the more credible "underground" and east-coast hip-hop producers. In 2004, The Audio Technician album / title track with Immortal Technique dropped on Bomb records. In the same year, JS-1 also mixed and co-produced Rahzel’s first all-beatbox mix cd, "Greatest Knockouts vol 1", on Sureshot records. That mixed album featured FunkMaster Flex, RZA, Everlast, Black Thought and many more.
In 2002, DJ JS-1 was initiated into the world famous, legendary Rock Steady Crew by Crazy Legs[7]. This is one of the biggest honors a true school hip-hopper can be given. Along with his Rock Steady membership, and long list of touring and recording credits, DJ JS-1 is also a major figure in the graffiti scene. Under the "tag name" JERMS, DJ JS-1 has been doing graffiti since the late 80’s and is one of the better graff artists to ever come from Queens, NY. He has done hundreds of pieces at every hall of fame, and even in other countries like Australia, Italy, and Holland. JS has been in several graffiti magazines (CAN CONTROL, FLASHBACKS, etc), including a recent 4-page layout in Elemental Magazine, featuring over 50 of his master-pieces. Some of his newer graff was the main feature in the recently released hit video “Peanutbutter N Jelly” which was in heavy rotation on all major video networks like BET.
In 2005, DJ JS-1 used his time in between making new albums and touring, to go back to his mixtape roots. That year JS-1 released “Mashed Potatoes”, an all-mash-up mix cd, and “In Da Tunk” with J PERIOD, which made the SOURCE magazine top 5 mix cd’s of the month. Next up in 2006, JS released “THE COMMON COLLECTION” hosted by COMMON, and his latest break record, Scratch Roulette 2. The first Scratch Roulette series is one of the best selling DJ sound fx series ever! Along with producing albums, 12” singles, sound fx records and mixtapes, JS has also dropped a Mash-up remix record with AV8 Records. AV8 is known world-wide to be the leader in party breaks. JS has released the first official mash-up record with them in 2005. It features remixed tracks with Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Missy, Usher and more.
In total, JS has released over 8 singles, 3 albums, 5 break records, and countless classic mixtapes, all between 2000 and 2007.
In 2007 DJ JS-1 was approached with another major opportunity to be on live TV. He was the first ever DJ to perform and be interviewed on the “REGIS & KELLY” morning show to millions of live viewers on ABC[8]. This TV appearance in July of 2007 has already led to other opportunities, such as JS-1 being considered for the dj for the ELLEN show on NBC. Most recently the "REGIS & KELLY" show re-aired on January 6th of 2008. Besides appearing on such a high profile TV show, DJ JS-1 also has his song “Audio Technician” featured in the new TONY HAWK PROVING GROUNDS video game on ACTIVISION for SONY PS3, XBOX, and more[9]. DJ JS-1 was also the opening DJ for 2007’s SPIKE TV’s VGA (Video Game Awards) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Today, JS is regarded as one of the hardest working, most gifted (and cynical) turntablist / producers in the game. Adding to the legacy of his 3 previous full length albums, JS-1 has a new album coming in mid-2008. The new “GROUND ORIGINAL 2: NO SELL-OUT LP” which features guest appearances by Ultramagnetic MCs, KRS-ONE, Large Professor, Masta Ace, Jedi Mind Tricks’ Vinnie Paz, Aesop Rock, C-Rayz Walz, QN5, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Termanology, Punchline, Wordsworth, SupaStishun, CL Smooth, Edo G, Craig G, Sadat X of Brand Nubians, AG, J-Live, Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox, Akrobatik, Rahzel, and many more. JS is also set to release a full length DVD, “What The F*ck Did U Do?”, showing tons of rare, never-before-seen show, graffiti, and touring footage, etc.
It is safe to say, that DJ JS-1 (Rock Steady Crew), is one of the only djays to ever release and produce his own albums, 12” singles, mix cd’s, sound fx records, party break records, and maintain a schedule that keeps him touring more than half of the year. Be on the look-out for one of the last few remaining “true” djays to be spinning in your hometown this year!!!!!!
[edit] External links
[[Category:New York People]] [[Category:DJs]] [[Category:Club DJs]] [[Category:Hip hop DJs]] [[Category:Remixers]] [[Category:Hip Hop]] [[Category:Graffiti and unauthorised signage]] [[Category:Turntablist]] [[Category:Hip hop Records]] [[Category:Beatboxers]] [[Category:Scratching]] [[Category:American musicians]] [[Category:American record producers]] [[Category:Hip hop record producers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New York musicians]] [[Category:People from Queens]] {{RAHZEL}} {{Rock Steady Crew}}
