My name is Lloyd Wharton (AKA DJ LDuB). I am originally from the Chicago area. I learned to mix from listening to the popular DJs on and off the radio / club venues of that era (80's DJs Farley Keith, Steve Hurley, Ron Hardy, etc...). I joined the Army in 1987 and started to practice in my room during my time off. I decided to try my hand at spinning clubs after I heard local DJs play. I knew I could make people dance, but had little or no success. I was trying to find my niche because in that small town, the music I was used to was not popular. I didn't understand at that time you have to be able to read your crowd, adjust as necessary and be prepared musically. Also, you should not limit yourself to just one genre, or style of music.
When I went to Germany in 1993, I landed a huge opportunity to play with a popular veteran DJ named "Mister Magic". He taught me not to feed into the popular DJ culture at that time of just scratching, playing only the most popular music and sticking only to the same music each time I played. My familiar ground was only House, Funk and Disco music. For a while, my options were limited. He taught me to read, play and work the crowd by working with whatever I had available in my resource (crates of records and CDs). I also learned not to just lean on records only, but how to manipulate digital media. I started to be successful in various groups, mixed crowds, even against other "competing" DJs. We played the military base circuit across Germany. It was popular to have 2 sets of DJs to rotate out every 1 to 2 hours.
There was one event where we played against a very good and popular DJ named "New York's Finest". He had his girlfriend alternated, while I alternated with "Mr. Magic". Needless to say, I was intimidated because I really did not feel up to the skills of this more seasoned "turntablist". I wanted to "try" doing some scratching and other elaborate tricks, but "Magic" told me not to get drawn into that battle. - besides, the tables we played on were his and he didn't want me ruining his needles! I started out with a moderately slow song and continued to mix other songs with the same beats. A crowd slowly filled the dance floor and sang along with approval. As I continued, I was not sure if this option would fly, but when I looked up the floor was filled, even after 5 consecutive slow songs! My time was drawing to a close and I wanted to hand over the reins to "NY", but he told me "no" and to finish my set. When I eventually handed over the next set, I noticed he even played 2 more slow songs before he went into his normal hard-hitting set. That day was a turning point in my career, to know that it does not matter what, or how other people play. When I came back to the states, my newly learned skill proved to be successful, even as I learned to enhance my abilities by playing at private functions and night clubs.
In 2000, I rededicated my life to Christ and found it hard to maintain the genre of music I played at the time. I wanted and still want to remain faithful to God. I was a resident DJ at "Crush" in Adams Morgan playing an eclectic range of music for a mixed, young urban and college crowd. After I rededicated and joined then Kingdom Life Christian Center, I began to feel convicted on what I was playing. I met and married Nanette, who introduced me to Gospel artists, and I shared with her Jazz and Old School. After playing for my church for various functions, I started playing alternative Christian and Gospel music in the club. People still danced to it! However, I was still convicted and was led of God to step down. After a couple of frustrating years of playing various events, I stopped all together, until 2005 it was made known to me about Gospel House Music. I still did not have an outlet, but was able to talk with DJs like Sam "The Man" Burns and stay in the know of what was out. There was a website at the time called Gospelhousemusic.com, where Terrence Parker and other DJs posted. That is where I met DJ Frank Horvath, AKA DJ Frankie Vibe. Even though he did not know me, he gave me advice on playing how I feel and to just play if that is what I felt called to do.
Today, I have met great people who have encouraged me in this season of my life. First, Jesus Christ for changing my life and setting me free; my beautiful wife Nanette Wharton, who loves and supports me; George Thompson of Junglemann Entertainment helps me technically; Frankie Vibe of House of Inspirations is a mentor friend and Marcus Wade the "Mad Scientist" of Salt Shaker Music, compels me to think and believe greater. I have many unofficial brothers & sisters-at-arms in the music industry. Here are some whom I would like to mention: Darryl DReal Stewart and Garry Of The Way Dennis from www.wfdu.fm on Fridays mornings (1:15 - 6:00 am EST), Rico Flores (Host of the Mastersgroove), Randal Yorker, Rich Williams, Maynard Bradley, Angela McCarty, Carlos Ramirez, George Calloway, Tina Dixon and Joe Dunbar. These special people pray for me, as we help keep others lifted up with great music and the Word.
God gave me an opportunity through Darryl, Garry and Min. Cliff Jones, to do videos for the Gospel Housing Authority's segment "Exposing the Gospel N Gospel House music on WFDU, which aired for about a year around 2010 / 2011. Some months later, I was introduced to Rico Flores of the www.themastersgroove.com website; where he was led by God to give me a chance to have a slot. I hosted the "Under Construction Broadcast" Show, which aired Monday nights from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST. The object of this show is to give God glory through Gospel / Inspirational / Disco House music, but also to encourage and uplift people who need inspiration to make it through the week. I was given an opportunity to share a mix and to be interviewed June 23, 2012, on the www.sistapoochie.com website, by the host Angela McCarty. She hosted a special show period where she interviewed Christian DJs.
I was featured on WFDU in New Jersey, where I played the "Under Construction Broadcast" once a month; under the auspice of the "House Of Inspiration" Broadcast, featuring Frankie Vibe. I participated in several live and recorded DJ sessions on WHCR in New York; hosted by Tina Dixon, Vince The Prince and Black Icon; via the “House in Harlem” mix show. I had the opportunity to play on Ibiza Live Radio, hosted by Ms. Luna Ibiza. Also, I co-hosted the sites WCSE-UHN Radio, then WKIM, where we had various talent that played family friendly content. George Calloway was initially the host of this site, then we shared ownership. Other Stations I had the opportunity to play was Philly Nites Radio - Diogo Reis, House Station Radio - Guido Manara, House Beats Radio Station, WBGR (Promo Shows) and many other opportunities. I was in a Baltimore event called, "Gospel According To House"; hosted by Lisa Williams Collins, where I played Gospel House with Terrence T-Money Gardner and Thommy Davis of Unquantize / Quantize Music.
Finally, if you are confident in your ability to play from the heart and come prepared with a good selection of music, you will come out better than just playing only what's popular and providing a lot of "flair". You have to pray and play your own set, until you get your own niche. I thank my mentor "Mr. Magic" for teaching me to be myself, but I thank God for giving me people to help keep me accountable, in using my gift to play for the masses. Now I have expanded to Audio Visual and Photography as my service providing as well.
"We're here to build you up, not tear you down!"
This is my Under Construction Show tag line, hosting as "DJ LDuB".
When I went to Germany in 1993, I landed a huge opportunity to play with a popular veteran DJ named "Mister Magic". He taught me not to feed into the popular DJ culture at that time of just scratching, playing only the most popular music and sticking only to the same music each time I played. My familiar ground was only House, Funk and Disco music. For a while, my options were limited. He taught me to read, play and work the crowd by working with whatever I had available in my resource (crates of records and CDs). I also learned not to just lean on records only, but how to manipulate digital media. I started to be successful in various groups, mixed crowds, even against other "competing" DJs. We played the military base circuit across Germany. It was popular to have 2 sets of DJs to rotate out every 1 to 2 hours.
There was one event where we played against a very good and popular DJ named "New York's Finest". He had his girlfriend alternated, while I alternated with "Mr. Magic". Needless to say, I was intimidated because I really did not feel up to the skills of this more seasoned "turntablist". I wanted to "try" doing some scratching and other elaborate tricks, but "Magic" told me not to get drawn into that battle. - besides, the tables we played on were his and he didn't want me ruining his needles! I started out with a moderately slow song and continued to mix other songs with the same beats. A crowd slowly filled the dance floor and sang along with approval. As I continued, I was not sure if this option would fly, but when I looked up the floor was filled, even after 5 consecutive slow songs! My time was drawing to a close and I wanted to hand over the reins to "NY", but he told me "no" and to finish my set. When I eventually handed over the next set, I noticed he even played 2 more slow songs before he went into his normal hard-hitting set. That day was a turning point in my career, to know that it does not matter what, or how other people play. When I came back to the states, my newly learned skill proved to be successful, even as I learned to enhance my abilities by playing at private functions and night clubs.
In 2000, I rededicated my life to Christ and found it hard to maintain the genre of music I played at the time. I wanted and still want to remain faithful to God. I was a resident DJ at "Crush" in Adams Morgan playing an eclectic range of music for a mixed, young urban and college crowd. After I rededicated and joined then Kingdom Life Christian Center, I began to feel convicted on what I was playing. I met and married Nanette, who introduced me to Gospel artists, and I shared with her Jazz and Old School. After playing for my church for various functions, I started playing alternative Christian and Gospel music in the club. People still danced to it! However, I was still convicted and was led of God to step down. After a couple of frustrating years of playing various events, I stopped all together, until 2005 it was made known to me about Gospel House Music. I still did not have an outlet, but was able to talk with DJs like Sam "The Man" Burns and stay in the know of what was out. There was a website at the time called Gospelhousemusic.com, where Terrence Parker and other DJs posted. That is where I met DJ Frank Horvath, AKA DJ Frankie Vibe. Even though he did not know me, he gave me advice on playing how I feel and to just play if that is what I felt called to do.
Today, I have met great people who have encouraged me in this season of my life. First, Jesus Christ for changing my life and setting me free; my beautiful wife Nanette Wharton, who loves and supports me; George Thompson of Junglemann Entertainment helps me technically; Frankie Vibe of House of Inspirations is a mentor friend and Marcus Wade the "Mad Scientist" of Salt Shaker Music, compels me to think and believe greater. I have many unofficial brothers & sisters-at-arms in the music industry. Here are some whom I would like to mention: Darryl DReal Stewart and Garry Of The Way Dennis from www.wfdu.fm on Fridays mornings (1:15 - 6:00 am EST), Rico Flores (Host of the Mastersgroove), Randal Yorker, Rich Williams, Maynard Bradley, Angela McCarty, Carlos Ramirez, George Calloway, Tina Dixon and Joe Dunbar. These special people pray for me, as we help keep others lifted up with great music and the Word.
God gave me an opportunity through Darryl, Garry and Min. Cliff Jones, to do videos for the Gospel Housing Authority's segment "Exposing the Gospel N Gospel House music on WFDU, which aired for about a year around 2010 / 2011. Some months later, I was introduced to Rico Flores of the www.themastersgroove.com website; where he was led by God to give me a chance to have a slot. I hosted the "Under Construction Broadcast" Show, which aired Monday nights from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST. The object of this show is to give God glory through Gospel / Inspirational / Disco House music, but also to encourage and uplift people who need inspiration to make it through the week. I was given an opportunity to share a mix and to be interviewed June 23, 2012, on the www.sistapoochie.com website, by the host Angela McCarty. She hosted a special show period where she interviewed Christian DJs.
I was featured on WFDU in New Jersey, where I played the "Under Construction Broadcast" once a month; under the auspice of the "House Of Inspiration" Broadcast, featuring Frankie Vibe. I participated in several live and recorded DJ sessions on WHCR in New York; hosted by Tina Dixon, Vince The Prince and Black Icon; via the “House in Harlem” mix show. I had the opportunity to play on Ibiza Live Radio, hosted by Ms. Luna Ibiza. Also, I co-hosted the sites WCSE-UHN Radio, then WKIM, where we had various talent that played family friendly content. George Calloway was initially the host of this site, then we shared ownership. Other Stations I had the opportunity to play was Philly Nites Radio - Diogo Reis, House Station Radio - Guido Manara, House Beats Radio Station, WBGR (Promo Shows) and many other opportunities. I was in a Baltimore event called, "Gospel According To House"; hosted by Lisa Williams Collins, where I played Gospel House with Terrence T-Money Gardner and Thommy Davis of Unquantize / Quantize Music.
Finally, if you are confident in your ability to play from the heart and come prepared with a good selection of music, you will come out better than just playing only what's popular and providing a lot of "flair". You have to pray and play your own set, until you get your own niche. I thank my mentor "Mr. Magic" for teaching me to be myself, but I thank God for giving me people to help keep me accountable, in using my gift to play for the masses. Now I have expanded to Audio Visual and Photography as my service providing as well.
"We're here to build you up, not tear you down!"
This is my Under Construction Show tag line, hosting as "DJ LDuB".