
Every now and then you make a friend online who proves to be more supportive than even your closest family members. For me, that was DJ Superb, always showing love on my social media or my SoundCloud page. I believe wholeheartedly in mutual support, as well, but it was on SoundCloud where I really began to appreciate DJ Superb’s immaculate song selection and taste-making capabilities.
For the purposes of this article, I asked Mr. Superb to put together a playlist, which you can stream below:
1. First things first, where did you come up and how did you get into DJing?
I’m originally from Los Angeles. Growing up, I moved around a lot, being a military child. Been to just about every state except Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. So I grew up with a lot of diversity.
2. What were the records that inspired you to mix & what were the first records that you actually mixed?
So, I have to give you the full breakdown. When I was a kid, my parents had one of those old, heavy wood coffin stereo systems that consisted of AM/FM radio and a built-in turntable. This unit was in my family since I was an infant. One day my mother decided that it was outdated and wanted it thrown out. Before they had the chance to throw it out, I took the whole thing apart. I took out all the guts. Removed knobs, wires, lights, the turntable and the speakers. I would then walk around apartments looking for big cardboard boxes people threw out and when I found good ones I would bring them upstairs to my room. That’s when the DJ projects began. I made a table, wired the old stereo equipment together, then cut big holes in the card board boxes that stood about six feet tall. I’d find car stereos in the dumpster too and wire everything together with transformers and now my DJ system was complete. I’d have to replace the boxes maybe once a month because the actual speakers and tweeters would start pulling away from the cardboard boxes.
The first records I bought [were] Ice T’s “6 in the mornin'” album (‘Rhyme Pays’), UTFO, Madonna “Like A Virgin”/”Lucky star,” Prince’s ‘Purple Rain,’ Full Force etc. Not to mention about 300 Motown records given to me by my parents. At this time I was a b-boy doing breakdance and pop-lock competitions in LA and San Gabriel County. While competing in the breakdancing community I met two Asian guys by the name of Ronald and Loc. Ronald was Filipino and Loc was Chinese. We formed a DJ crew called Pinoy Real.
3. What was that initial response like when you finally brought the house down?
So, back in the day, when I was in the 7th grade my parents allowed me to DJ my first party and it was a hit. Had so many people show up, the front yard and back yard was completely filled up, because there was too many people in the house for them to fit.
4. Where did the name DJ Superb come from?
Back in the day, a really good friend of mine had his life taken from him so as an honor to him and our friendship I adopted the name Superb as my DJ name. That was one cool brother! I miss him.
5. When did you get involved with TheBlock105Radio?
I have been a resident DJ on TheBlock105Radio for almost five years now.
6. Did you work with any other radio stations?
I helped in the promotion aspect of KUOR back in the day for a few colleges but as far as resident DJ, TheBlock105Radio is the first. Joe Rogan said TheBlock105 may be the best independent radio station on the planet. That I do agree. Shout out to R.E.C the hip-hop mayor—he’s the greatest!
7. I know you’re a very spiritual person—where does that foundation come from?
I was raised in the church coming up but I didn’t officially accept Christ for myself till around 2003. I tell you man, if it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t be here. That’s a different interview in itself right there (laughs). So, for close to 10 years, I was very active in ministries like homeless programs, street outreach, men’s homes for people going back into society from incarceration; helping them see the light and maintaining a healthy, godly lifestyle. My walk with God is solid and the foundation of everything I do. No, I’m not perfect, but I do try to put the love out to everyone I come across because such great love was given to me.
8. That’s awesome man. Now, can you give us your Top 5 favorite MCs?
Top 5 favorite MCs? Hmm… that’s going to be very tough because I have a lot of favorites but what I can do is provide five MCs I feel are my ‘Top 5’ when it comes to lyrical skills: Rakim, KRS-One, NAS, Mos Def, Andre 3000. That would be more East Coast rappers on that list. As far as West Coast, I would say: E-40, Ice Cube, Eminem (even though he’s from Detroit), Kurupt, and Tupac. Keep in mind, with these two lists the chronological order has no significance because they are all great.
9. What about your Top 5 favorite DJs?
Top five favorite DJs would be… Me, DJ Superb, and there’s nothing wrong with picking yourself (laughs), DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kid Kapri, DJ Quik, and Kid Rock. A lot of people don’t know that Kid Rock is really a DJ that transitioned to making music
10. Any advice for up-&-coming artists trying to make it in this business?
My advice would be, put God first in your life. Don’t give up on your dreams. Be careful who you share your vision with because the wrong ones will talk you out of your destiny. Be patient. Always remember, all money ain’t good money, just like all company isn’t good company. And lastly, if something doesn’t seem right normally it isn’t.
11. And, finally, where can One West readers find you online?
They can find me on the gram at @dj__superb and most of the shows from The DJ Superb Power Hour mix on TheBlock105Radio are on my SoundCloud. Also, check me out every Wednesday from 3-4AM and 7-8PM (Pacific) on TheBlock105Radio and on Official SOCAL. Next time change my show goes back to Wednesday’s from 2-3AM and 6-7PM.
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