DJ FATFINGAZ says it best, “If you don’t evolve, you dissolve”—which is sage advice coming from a man who’s been spinning beats around the world for over 30 years. A lover of music from the get-go, DJ FATFINGAZ knew he wanted to be behind the booth from the ripe age of seven. From his early days sneaking into the clubs to watch his favorites play, the DJ has gone on to win worldwide competitions, man the radio waves and maintain steady residencies from the far reaches of Asia to Switzerland. But the New York native always shows his hometown love, especially with his rooftop sets at Time Out Market Brooklyn. We caught up with the award-winning DJ to hear about his love for the art form, how he studies music to keep his sound fresh and what's spinning at his monthly rooftop party in Dumbo.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
DJ FATFINGAZ: I am from New York, born and raised in Jamaica, Queens. I was a lover of music, always gravitating to it ever since I was a kid. Going down Jamaica Avenue and seeing DJ culture right in front of my face, it was just a part of my DNA.
When did you know you wanted to make DJing your career?
DF: I knew at seven years old what I wanted to do. My mom thought it was just a hobby. But she invested in me, one turntable at a time. I got brought in by a group called InterBase Productions, and they trained me from 1991 to 2000. Then, I started competing within the city. Back in 1997, I came in third place at an all-city competition, which drove me to do the DMC World DJ Championship, which is a worldwide competition. I just ate everything up that had to do with DJ’ing.
What have been some highlights in your career thus far?
DF: I won my first championship in 1997, and then won third place at Webster Hall at the DMC World DJ Championship. In 2007, [I went] to Asia for the first time because Grandmaster Roc Raida brought me on tour with him, and then that became an every year thing. It wasn’t just New York—it was L.A., Europe and Asia. Becoming a Heavy Hitter with DJ Enough and DJ Camillo with the worldwide Heavy Hitter crew. Holding international residencies, everywhere from Japan, Thailand, Switzerland, Paris and London. And learning from the number one station in the world, Hot 97, which brought me to places such as Power 106 in L.A. and Shade 45 for the past 15 years.
How do you stay on top of your game?
DF: In order for me to stay like this, I had to evolve. If you don’t evolve, you dissolve. You have to understand culture, waves and era to keep longevity. Understanding the frequency of what the next generation is coming with, what my generation is listening to and even what the generation above me is still listening to, I'm able to move without a problem. I'm always a student of this game.
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How would you describe your sound?
DF: I'm gonna make you dance. My set from the night before may differ from a set another day. One day, I may be playing a lot of Afro house, and then I'm playing all 90s, then everything under the sun. I don't stick to one genre. I'm able to be multifaceted and still give you that edge.
What kind of night can people expect if they attend your set at Time Out Market Brooklyn?
DF: They could expect to sweat [and] to have a good time. I'm going to make a memory with them on that rooftop, looking at the Brooklyn Bridge in the East River.
What’s next for you?
DF: The DJ Expo with Pioneer DJ, my tour in Asia coming up at the end of the year and more events with Time Out New York at the Industry Mixer.
You can catch DJ FATFINGAZ every last Thursday of the month at The Industry Mixer on the fifth floor of Time Out Market Brooklyn. Check out the next party here.