Imagine a world without music. The loss would be immeasurable, particularly to a 30-year old known as DJ Unexpected. The Bronx native has made it his lifelong mission to collect and preserve recorded music. I do everything around music, says the self-described fan that happens to DJ. Whether its walking, cleaning or even brushing my teeth, there has to be music nearby. But from where did this infatuation originate?

Since I was born, explains DJ Unexpected. My parents would always have music playing. Saturday mornings after the cartoons were over, my brother and I helped our mother clean. And the 1st thing she did was turn on the record player. I became fascinated with the way music made everyone feel, whether it was to dance or sing along. He became introduced to the future phenomenon known as Hip Hop in 1984. My father came home one day with the Fat Boys’ 1st album. Of course I remember hearing Rapper’s Delight, The Message etc. but that album changed my life. Then I saw the video for Stick Em with the turntable on Prince Markie Dees back, and I knew that was I wanted to do.

Fast forward 10 years and his hands touched his first pair of turntables. I started with Gemini BD-10s, the bottom of the barrel, laughs Unexpected. In 1995, I got my first pair of 1200s with help from one of my favorite DJs, D-Demo. I still use that same pair. Using the name Top Secret at the time, he would begin honing his craft while doing the odd tape or party. Another 10 years roll by, and he enters the mix tape world, with the help of his partner Kochece. My first release was Big Daddy Kane vs. Jay Hova, a tribute to 2 icons in the game. It compared 2 different styles of MCing, and featured remixes with some of Hip Hop’s hottest beats. I tried to keep true to the statement on the cover which said Enjoy and be educated. Comparing old and new styles of music regardless of genre is a theme prevalent in his catalog.

Every release involves paying homage to those before us. Those who really know their music can detect the bits of ‘trivia’ if you will incorporated into the mix. His catalog ranges from blend CDs to break beats informing the fans how future hits are created with assistance from classic songs, to reggae and house music. The reason for the wide range is to let people know that a real DJ can appreciate and play anything, just like a real MC can write to any beat. You may like some styles/genres more than others, but the variety is just one testament as to how great the overall scope of music is. His passion for the music and the infinite ways it can be interpreted has also led to him creating introductions for many of the mix tape game’s premier players, thus earning him a new nickname, Mr. Intro.

Anything is possible in this world, but rest assure that all of it is Unexpected. Unexpected. Because life is.