One of the most common concerns amongst Hip Hop fans today is “The State of Hip Hop”. That can mean a lot of things: lame subject matter, hollow beats, repetitive images, or just plain lack of creativity and originality. Whatever the cause for this concern, Dats Jus Swift – musician, producer, dee jay, and community participant through education, chooses to stay his lane in his musical expression – whatever that may be, and whether you like it or not.
“I am not the feel-good, conscience, breath-of-fresh-air musician,” says Dats Jus Swift. He further explains, “I'm not just some random dude looking for a quick buck either.”
“I am a collection of everyone that has had an influence on me in one way or another. In short I am me….”
Dats Jus Swift hails from Virginia, originally from Pirmasens Germany with strong grounded musical background. At first, his only musical outlet was DJ Red Alert, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, and early 80’s MTV videos and various mix tapes sent to him in Germany. It is this foundation that has contributed to Swift’s raw Hip Hop essence and eclectic ear for a wide range of production, from pop to dance music.
Since touching down in the nation’s capitol in 2006 via Kansas City, KS, Dats Jus Swift has slowly and steadily been carving out his own niche in the D.C., Maryland, and VA area hip-hop scene. A true fundamentals DJ, Dats Jus Swift speaks with his hands as in the tradition of a Pete Rock or Jazzy Jeff, and through his bottomless crates has rocked parties up and down the east coast, from as far up as New York to as far down as A-Town and Overseas.
Reppin’ Northern Virginia, Swift delivers a collage of astonishing tracks, ranging from heart felt Poetry, to the classic Boom Bap/hip hop sound. Swift’s music seamlessly blends from track to track. Swift’s innovative style combined with emotional, thought provoking lyrics, separates him from the monotony that's ever so present today. His uncompromising soulful blends and creative integrity are what music has been missing, and he delivers the remedy. After one listen Swift proves his self as the new beginning, displaying his ability to paint vibrant pictures of reality in his life.
But Dats Jus Swift is not your one dimensional party and bullsh*t DJ; his list of current gigs and artists with whom he has spun with is as diverse as the musical genres within his crates (and crates) of records, which is a sonic collage of dusty groove Funk, Soul, Afro-Beat, Jazz, Roots Reggae/Dancehall, mainstream Rap/R&B, Go-Go (can’t forget that), Hip-Hop, Lounge/Deep House and 70’s & 80’s Rock.
Nowadays, Dats Jus Swift is bigger than Hip Hop; besides being recruited by his sister Tiffany Paige (Shaman Work Recording Artist) and long time friend, Courtney Porter aka CP, CEO of Headshot Entertainment, Swift acts as an audio producer and media mogul, following extensive experience in the field of early childhood education. Dats Jus Swift cosmic elixir of entertainment and education provides a vibe that is universal, captivating, and inspiring.
As his notoriety grows, Dats Jus Swift is not one to just sit back and watch. Along with a handful of D.C.’s most talented visual artists, Mr. Swift is a member of a cutting-edge art troupe/marketing group known as Tims and Brims Radio: HeadShot Entertainment Affiliate in Cali. He is an official and exclusive DJ for Tiffany Paige and Nu-G, in February 2007 Swift officially launched The Dats Jus Swift Podcast, a series of weekly mixes of ‘gems’ that Mr. Swift digs for in his crates. The mixes are available for free downloading at
http://datsjusswift.podomatic.com and
http://timbsandbrims.com/ .
Most recently he has been featured on XM Satellite Radio and always returns home to 89.9 K-Kut Radio doing what he does best, speaking through his hands.
