sandōk • ej the dj

Hi, I'm EJ! I've been DJ'ing for 20+ years and specialize in Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, and R&B. • Click here for wedding information. • Click here for Photobooth inquiries. I freelance as a photographer, artist, and writer, too! Visit ejdelfin.com for more information.

[djsandok]

This was the first time I genuinely collaborated with someone with a mixtape. 

I definitely thrive off other people’s energy–but that’s usually when I perform live.

This mixtape hits different because I made it thinking of my brother, Bryan Black.

He blessed this mixtape with an original drawing for the cover.

Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/sandokk/glad-ur-alive

[djsandok]

It’s been over a thousand days since ​​August 8, 2019.

That was the debut of my last formal mixtape: Dealing with Distractions. Who knew 218 days later we would be in full lockdown mode?

That’s the biggest reason I was on a mixtape hiatus: Quarantine Vibes and Quarantine Fridays took the place of a properly themed mixtape.

Mixtapes take time. They take inspiration, too.

GOOD THING I’M GOING THROUGH SOME SHIT RIGHT NOW.

I made the decision to leave my teaching profession in late February and wrote about all that here: meet ej - the idealist.

I prepared as much as I could for this moment.

Nevertheless, the pressure is mounting as May winds down and I still haven’t honed in on exactly what I want to do next.

I’m simply trusting my principles to how I got here in the first place.

And with that, I’ll leave the theme of the mixtape somewhat cryptic with that description.

Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/sandokk/forever-your-boi

forever your boi, sandōk

Tracklist

1. Frank Ocean - Self Control 2. Summer Walker - CPR 3.  Brian McKnight - Anytime 4. SiR - John Redcorn 5. Alicia Keys + Sampha - 3 Hour Drive 6. D’Angelo - Lady 7. Teyana Taylor - Hold On 8. Musiq Soulchild - Halfcrazy 9. Ne-Yo - So Sick 10. Snoh Aalegra + Pharrell - I Want You Around 11. SiR - You Can’t Save Me 12. Frank Ocean - American Wedding 13. Sonder ft. Jorja Smith - Nobody But You 14. Snoh Aalegra + 6lack - I Want You Around 15. Alicia Keys - A Woman’s Worth 16. Arlo Parks - Black Dog 17. Raveena - Bloom 18. Jenevieve - Baby Powder 19. SZA - I Hate U 20. Rex Orange County - Edition

[djsandok]

(RECORDED AUGUST 2019)

SOUNDCLOUD LINK

hi.

this project was almost completed but moving into my new apartment in july took the majority of my time.  even then, this project was supposed to be completed in may as a “hip hop mixtape,” but i decided against that because well.  this was the vibe i was feeling for the summer. it’s pretty eclectic.  but i think that fits my persona as a dj.   i’ve been super-reflective on my dj career and incredibly grateful for the clients that welcomed me into their lives for their special occasions.   for example, a lot of my friends got married in their 20s.  these are the same friends that would hire me for their birthday, halloween, you-name-it parties.  it hit me pretty recently that many of their weddings signified their next chapter in their life and their party days are over.  it’s that same mixed bag of emotions that’s attached to any sort of nostalgia: i’m sad that the past is over because there were some great memories made; however, i’m incredibly happy to have experienced those memories and knowing i was a part of their lives providing the vibes for the night. i’m incredibly lucky to be able to continue my career as a dj as well as grow as an artist.  i know far too many people that fell off for their own reasons and i totally respect their choice.  that’s why i genuinely mean it when i say i’m blessed to be able to find a balance with my professional teaching career and dj'ing. i hope you enjoy this one.  i sure did making it. holla.

1. JODECI - FREEKN'YOU 2. ERYKAH BADU  - DIDN'TCHAKNOW 3. JANET JACKSON + BLACKSTREET - I GET SO LONELY 4. AALIYAH - MAN UNDERCOVER 5. LANA DEL REY - WESTCOAST 6. SZA - BROKEN CLOCKS 7. LEON BRIDGES - BAD BAD NEWS 8. N.E.R.D. - YOU KNOW WHAT 9. JORJA SMITH - ON MY MIND 10. KALI UCHIS - YOUR TEETH IN MY NECK 11. SZA - GARDEN (SAY IT LIKE THAT) 12. ELLA MAI + JOHN LEGEND - EVERYTHING 13. BRYSON TILLER - BLAME 14. KALI UCHIS - FLIGHT 22 15. JANELLE MONAE - MAKE ME FEEL 16. PRINCE - 17 DAYS 17. 2 CHAINZ - ROLLS ROYCE BITCH 18. BRYSON TILLER - DON’T GET TOO HIGH 19. JHENE AIKO - TRIGGERED 20. H.E.R. - LOSING 21. SNOH ALLEGRA - TIME 22. SZA + DVSN - THE WEEKEND

[djsandok]

(RECORDED NOVEMBER 2018)

My friend had an idea for a rap mixtape that he knew I’d appreciate. I wish I could share the title but I don’t want to say it until he releases his project that inspired my project.

I had many working titles.

Simpin’ Season Cuffin’ Ain’t Easy In Drake’s Feelings The Soundtrack of Sandok Horseman Nothing Lasts To All The Girls That I’ve Ghosted and Those That Ghosted Me

I thought about writing some super cryptic dedication with this release but nah. That’ll ruin the mystique.

Holla.

Link to Download MP3

Track Listing:

sza - normal girl nelly + kelly rowland - dilemma selena - if i could fall in love frank ocean - swim good xscape - who can i run to erykah badu - next lifetime jorja smith - lost and found lauryn hill - ex-factor 6lack - let her go usher - milk carton janet jackson - where are you now bryson tiller - exchange 6lack - ex callin’ craig david - 7 days snoh aalegra + vince staples - burns like the cold sza - quicksand beyonce - hold up lana del rey - ooh baby miguel + j cole - come through and chill sza + drake - come and see me at twoAM

[djsandok]

(Recorded December 2017)

Sixteen months since my last mixtape, overdue.  At least it’s better than my previous three-year hiatus.

I want to take the time and talk about the female inspiration behind this second installment of Damsels and Dames that made this passion project possible:

SZA. You’re the driving force of this mixtape. The way your mother introduces and ends talking about the illusion of control magically captures the thematic qualities of your album. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into CTRL.

Donna. My sister is the entire reason I fell in love with Hip-Hop. I was in Kindergarten when I stole her cassette of Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle.” I learned all the words to Lodi Dodi and would sing it by myself not knowing this album would dictate the rest of my life. She continues to be my biggest supporter of my DJ career.

Julia. Thank you for indirectly telling me to study SZA’s album. It’s surreal how there are so many qualities that you and my actual sister share. You’ve been welcoming from the very beginning when I first started coming to Mesa as a patron. You are the sole reason Mesa invited me to be apart of the family. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for keeping my love for music and DJ'ing alive.

My Mother. She still has the same level of excitement and pride when I tell her I’m going to or just finished DJ'ing even after doing this for 17 years of my life. I think she always knew that I never wanted to pursue making a lot of money because I was so passionate about things that didn’t concern money at a young age. I’m happy she recognizes that I still have that passion when I DJ. I’m happy she’s happy that I’m happy.

I hope you enjoy this, mixtape. It’s on the slower side to show the reflective nature I put into it.  I love you all.

Just a reminder you can always find links to download my mixtapes here!

Cheers, sandōk

PS - Thank you, Sean and Jon. You’re neither damsel nor dame but you both indirectly and directly helped me with finishing this project. Donna Missal and Snoh Aalegra would be missing from this mixtape without you. Excited to collaborate with musical projects with each of y'all in the future.

STREAM HERE:Download one long mp3 version here

sandōk - damsels and dames vol. 2

sza  - supermodel

tamia - so into you

buffalo springfield - son of a preacher man

gallant + jhene aiko - skipping stones

snoh aalegra + logic - sometimes

sza - go gina

niia - girl like me

solange - bad girls

estelle - come over

lauryn hill - forgive them father

solange - don’t let me down

city high - caramel

snoh aalegra - you got me

amy winehouse - in my bed

sza - prom

jhene aiko + childish gambino - bed peace

trevor lawrence jr. + donna missal- auckland

aaliyah - i care 4 you

lana del rey - because of you

sza - 20 something

[djsandok]

(Recorded August 2016)

Oh my gosh.  I can’t believe it’s been close to three years since I released Damsels and Dames.

At least it made naming this mixtape pretty easy.  Haha!

It’s been tough to record because of my teaching schedule and my Friday nights at Mesa.  

Thank you for your continued love and support.  I’ll see you this Friday at Mesa!

Cheers, sandōk

P.S. - You can always find links to download my mixtapes here!

Stream Here

Download the iPod ready mixtape

Download the long MP3 version

[djsandok]

(Recorded on August 2013)

Oh my gosh.  I can’t believe it’s been a year and four months since I opened Ableton to start a mixtape.  At least I had my priorities in order when I focused on the quality of my teaching.  I was scared that I forgot all the small tricks I learned in Ableton over a year ago but it’s just like riding a bike.

I wanted to dedicate a mixtape to all the female vocalists and some rappers.  I have a lot of ideas for mixtapes; however, this was the easiest to execute in a short period of time.   I asked my friends on Facebook if they had any artists they wanted to hear.  I got a lot ofgreat suggestions that I’m saving for future projects.  I’m hoping to maybe make Damsels & Dames going through a miniseries of different themes.  For example there were songs I really wanted to throw in but were just way too slow or way too funky.

I had a lot of fun making this.  I think I was caught singing “What’s Love Got to do with It?”when my friends came over.  Hahah.  I really like how this album is all of the place with a different mood attached to each song.  There are parts where it’s really funky, parts where it’s slow and sensual, and parts where it’s rhythmically hypnotic.  I hope you enjoy it!

Here is the track listing:

01. tamia – officially missing you (remix) 02. amy winehouse – you know i’m no good (remix) 03. the fugees – killing me softly 04. les nubians – bebela 05. lana del rey – serial killer 06. grimes – vanessa 07. erykah badu – bag lady (remix) 08. dionne waricke + j.dilla – stop, you’re gonna want me back 09. sade – love is found 10. janelle monae – neon valley street 11. portishead – it could be sweet 12. the roots – you got me 13. janet jackson – where are you now 14. mary j. blige – my life 15. aaliyah – four page letter 16. janet jackson – anytime anyplace 17. kendrick lamar + drake – poetic justice 18. rihanna – stay (branchez remix) 19. monica – don’t take it personal 20. mariah carey – heartbreaker </3 21. tlc – creep 22. tina turner – what’s love got to do with it? 23. salt ‘n peppa – shoop 24. janelle monae – dance apocolyptic

STREAM

HERE

DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE

HERE and MIRROR #1

LONG MP3 VERSION

HERE and SOUNDCLOUD  and MIRROR #1

Cheers, sandōk

[djsandok]

(RECORDED ON APRIL 2012)

I was talking about this idea for a mixtape for quite some time now.  It was tough because I wanted to do so much with it but still keep the smooth westcoast vibe throughout.

I finally disciplined myself to sit down and look for a tracklist with my favorite westcoast artist. I opened with Tupac’s “To Live and DIe in LA” because it has that cruisin’ down sunset (liking the scene) vibe. I wanted to throw in Cube’s “It was a Good Day,” but I opted with the just-as-smooth, “You Know How We Do.” The rest of the track list kind of made itself. I really wanted to represent the westcoast G-Funk, Gangsta vibe, and raw talent.

I wanted to throw in some Odd Future and Blu since I put Kendrick Lamar on here–but Odd Future Hits too hard for this mixtape. and I couldn’t find a right place effort Blu.

Track Listing

01. tupac – to live and die in l.a. (oakland/los angeles) 02. ice cube – you know how we do (compton) 03. warren g – this dj (long beach) 04. tha dogg pound – let’s play house (long beach) 05. nwa – express yourself (compton) 06. dr. dre & snoop – nuthin’ but a g thang (compton & long beach) 07. dr. dre – the next episode (compton) 08. mista grimm – endo smoke (west covina) 09. snoop dogg – gin and juice (long beach) 10. snoop dogg – lay low (long beach) 11. nwa – chin check (compton) 12. nwa – hello (compton) 13. cypress hill – how i could just kill a man (south gate) 14. del tha funkee homosapien – BMs (oakland) 15. pharcyde – runnin’ (los angeles) 16. the game – hate it or love it (compton) 17. dj quik – you’z a gangsta (compton) 18. kendrick lamar – the heart part ii (compton) 19. rappin 4 tay & pretty lights – playa’s club (san fran) 20. tupac – i wonder if heaven got a ghetto (oakland/la) 21. luniz – i got 5 on it (oakland) 22. dr. dre – xxplosive (compton) 23. [bonus track] kendrick lamar – ronald reagan era (compton)

I hope you y’all enjoy this mixtape! To think…I almost left out Cypress Hill–one of my favorite hip hop groups!

download

[djsandok]

(Recorded in November 2011)

I finished this mixtape relatively quickly.  I would play around with the tracks at the beginning of my gigs and fine tune it at home.  I was having trouble thinking of a title since it was a bit eclectic and down-tempo.

I was brainstorming ideas when I remembered Stones Throw recently released a new version of J. Dilla’s Donuts and I thought it would be nice to open with a track from that album.

I chose to open with  my favorite track, Last Donut of the Night.

My friends and I have been obsessed with that Ryan Gosling movie, Drive, and its amazing soundtrack.

I started with Last Donut of the Night and ended with the movie’s theme song–hence, Last Drive of the Night was born.

I hope everyone likes it.  I always wanted to do a lounge mixtape, but I didn’t want it to limit it to just that genre.

Dedicated to the great artists that are no longer with us; J. Dilla, Teddy Pendergrass, and the recently late, one and only, overweight lover, Heavy D.

Until next time, sandōk

1. j. dilla – last donut of the night 2. teddy pendergrass – love t.ko. 3. handsome boy modeling school feat. moloko – the truth 4. frank ocean – swim good 5. xscape – just kickin’ it 6. zapp and roger – computer love 7. big daddy kane – very special 8. paid & live feat. lauryn hill – all my time 9. michael jackson – you rock my world 10. massive attack – thankful for what you got 11. the roots feat. big k.r.i.t. – make my 12. maxwell – ascension 13. sade – kiss of life 14. gorillaz – revolving doors 15. mtume – juicy fruit 16. tony! toni! toné! – anniversary 17. prince – if i was your girlfriend 18. aaliyah – one in a million 19. mayer hawthorne – when the night falls (chromeo cover) 20. the xx, college, and electric youth – a real vcr hero

[djsandok]

(recorded in January 2011)

I hope everyone had a good 2010.

I made a goal to make a mixtape for every season when I made my first (subpar) mixtape.  I needed one more for winter.

I had a bunch of ideas for mixtapes but never had enough songs to complete their respective themes.

I put some the songs that were supposed to be on their own respective genre on one mixtape, Winter Becomes Eclectixx.  The “xx” is a reference to the end of the mixtape where I include The XX throughout.

My friend, Daeniel, helped out on tracks 5 and 6.  He was president of my high school hip hop club, Club Soul, five years ago.  We recently did a set together and it brought back so many memories DJ’ing I was insistent on having him on my next mixtape.  Feel free to show him some love here.

I really enjoyed making this mixtape and hope you guys like it.

Here’s to 2011, sandōk

Track listing 1. Snoop Dogg feat. Mayer Hawthorne – Gangsta Luv 2. Miguel feat. J. Cole – All I Want is You 3. Massive Attack – Blue Lines 4. MF Doom – Doomsday 5.  Daeniel Funkcisco feat. Ratatat – Peek This 6.  Daeniel Funkcisco feat. Nightmares on Wax – Her 7. Pharcyde – Passin Me By 8. Chromeo – Jai Claque la Porte 9. Digable Planets – Dog It 10. Kanye West feat. John Legend – Blame Game 11. Tupac feat. Bobby Caldwell – Do For Love 12. Janet Jackson feat. Joni Mitchell & Q-Tip – Gone ’til it’s Gone 13. Amplive feat. Radiohead & Del – Video Tapez 14. The XX introduces the Gorillaz – Stylo 15. The XX & Bruno Mars – VC-Grenade 16. The XX, Smashing Pumpkins, & Fleetwood Mac – Dreams of 1979 Islands 17. The XX & Johnny Cash – Heart skipped a Personal Beat 18. Interpol – Evil 19. [Bonus Track] Gorillaz – Crytalised

I do not take any credit for the album cover art.  The artist is unknown as I found it on Google images.

[djsandok]

(Recorded July 2011)

Happy summer, everyone.  I haven’t been recording as of late; however, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working.

I started to hate my first mixtape, Spring ’10, after getting familiar with recording options.  Modern software allowed me to take my time with my recordings opposed to recording a live set and releasing that.

I worked on redoing my mixtape periodically in my free time after I released Happy Hour.

That being said, I give you, Spring Redux, a cleaned up version of Spring ’10 with an updated playlist.

Cheers, sandōk

Track Listing 1. stevie b – spring love 2. new order – blue monday 3. prince – i would die 4 u 4. shiela e – glamorous life 5. depeche mode – just can’t get enough 6. pet shop boys – always on my mind 7. new order – bizarre love triangle 8. anything box – living in oblivion 9. ghost town djs – my boo 10. inoj – time after time 11. ready for the world – o sheila 12. michael jackson – pretty young thing 13. baby bash ft. marty james – fantasy girl 14. chromeo – don’t turn the lights on 15. phoenix – if i ever feel better 16. deep dish/stevie nicks/ prince – little red dreams 17. chromeo – night by night 18. bag raiders – shooting star 19. [bonus track] q lazzarus – goodbye horses

[djsandok]

(RECORDED SEPTEMBER 2010)

Good evening, everyone.

I’ve been anticipating making this mixtape for a while.  I never really had the discipline to dedicate studio time as of late.

And when I actually did two days ago, my computer struggled to keep up with my recording.

After many takes, hours of time, and numerous signs that it’s time to buy a Mac…I finally finished a good enough copy for distribution .

The music of the ’90s have a very special place in my heart; and this mixtape is a representation of my favorite kinds of music.  From cheese to sleaze, I hope you enjoy it.

[djsandok]

RECORDED MAY 2010

[djsandok]

THE RETURN SETS CAN BE FOUND HERE  (OCTOBER 2021 - PRESENT)

–

OLDER RECORDED SETS CAN BE FOUND HERE and HERE (FRIDAYS):

the quarantine series | #quarantinefridays

twitch.tv/sandok_

[djsandok]

Heavy Hip Hop Set Reflection

Last night was special because it put my journey as a DJ in perspective. 

(March 13, 2020 - Mesa - My Birthday Weekend / The Last Weekend Before Quarantine)

It’s been a standard question to answer as of late: “How have you been dealing with the quarantine?”

I usually refer to THE QUARANTINE SERIES keeping me busy while explaining that I’m an extrovert that thrives off other people.  This is true with teaching, art, and especially DJ’ing.

I came into last night thinking it was going to be a casual R&B listening session with some old and new friends---I was even wearing my favorite R. Kelly shirt.  Little did I know I’d be playing for the generation that helped me fall in love with hip hop and DJ’ing.

--

I started DJ’ing after a road trip with my family to visit some extended family in San Jose.  I was around 12 or 13 at the time I think.  They weren’t professional DJs but knew the basics of DJ’ing.  I was surprised at how simple the concept of transitioning from one song to the next was.

I saved money and bought my equipment.  Then came my vinyl collection.  Then came the hundreds of CD-Rs I needed to make to play the newer stuff and/or rare stuff.

I didn’t know it then but I know it now.  I was part of the last generation of DJs that were hired because of the record library they had.  To put it in perspective, anyone can be a DJ with a limitless library of MP3s now.  You specifically hired a DJ because you trusted his/her limitations in music.  

It was an absolute honor to build a clientele strictly from referrals.  To this day, I don’t really like to DJ for strangers unless they’ve heard me perform somewhere.  

--

(Bryan Black tattooing my leg in 2012)

It reminds me of a conversation I’ve had multiple times with my friend, Bryan Black.  A tattoo should be a collaboration between the tattoo artist and the client.  A client shouldn’t be forcing their vision of the tattoo while disregarding the artist’s advice.  I feel the same exact way with my DJ clients.

All Bryan and I want for our clients are for them to trust us.  

That trust is usually rewarded with something special, memorable, and most importantly, organic.  

--

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ej (@sandok_) on Apr 27, 2018 at 3:22pm PDT

(Skratching to Leon Bridges in my classroom in 2018)

I’ve been thinking about how I define myself as a DJ in 2020.  Yes, by default, I’m a Hip Hop DJ.  

However, I’m not really sure where Hip Hop stands today.  I think the “good” Hip Hop sampling era died somewhere along where Kanye’s music started getting overtly self-centered and simply not good.

With the music industry changing drastically because of the internet, it’s probably really easy to find a talented rapper.  Hell, I’m friends with some of the best emcees I’ve ever heard.

But what next?  How do you market them to people on the internet?  How do they make a career out of it?  How do you connect them to producers so they can reach their potential?

That’s why I think the next stage of Hip Hop is centered around artists like Bryson Tiller, SiR, and Frank Ocean.  

Simply put: you have to be able to showcase some musicality that isn’t necessarily based on rhymes and sampling.

--

(Toby, my munchkin cat, posing in front of some the most talented female R&B artists of the century)

Which brings me back to why last night was so special.  I’ve been so stuck on the above mentality for a very long time knowing I’ve been bored of new Hip Hop for a while.

Nevertheless, I get really excited about really good R&B.  And the 21st-Century has definitely been providing.  SZA, H.E.R., Jorja Smith, Lana Del Rey, Snoh Aalegra, Summer Walker, and Jhene Aiko to name a few.

I’d like to think I’m good at spinning that stuff because there’s an intimate feeling with their music that I’d like to share with the listener.

Nevertheless, where does that leave me in 2020 as a “Hip Hop DJ?”  Especially since I tried my hardest to have my roots grounded in the culture.  I learned how to DJ breaks from Dwenz and the Foundation FunKollective, an incredibly influential figure and organization in the Los Angeles Hip Hop community.  Did I abandon hip hop in the 2010/2020s?

Hell nah.

--

My first DJ mentor, DJ Redline, dropped in the set around 8:30 PM.  My sister had some classes with him at CSUF and he took me record shopping when I was in 7th/8th grade.  He let me in on all the DJ secrets with buying records, mixing, skratching, etc.  He even gave me a BUNCH of records which gave me a sense of pride knowing during those times DJs are what their records are.  I didn’t have anything.

Anyway, I decided to drop a LA Symphony track knowing we’re both big fans of them.  

Damn.  That was the catalyst that brought out a BUNCH of memories.

That was one of my favorite 12″ vinyl that I loved showing off back in the day.

I definitely feel spoiled that I have the MP3 and can play it whenever I want.

But, I don’t play it.  At all.

lordnik0n_ was the first to be stoked about the LA Symphony drop.

I later found out he’s the father of a former student.

That student used to tell me his family listens to my recorded mixtapes all the time.

Little did I know that he’s been tuning in to my quarantine series.

The night progressed into a HEAVY esoteric hip hop set that probably lordnik0n_, Redline, and I knew.  

Peep the set here.  It starts around 1:43:00

As a DJ, your job is to play for your crowd, my crowd was two people last night even though there were more watching.

I never get to play any of this stuff.  It was important to me to get a recording of it so I could listen to it later.

--

Last night was special because it brought my journey as a DJ full circle.

I grew up knowing there are really talented Filipino DJs before actually learning the fundamentals.

I learned the fundamentals through imitating radio station DJs (Icy Ice, Melo-D, E-Man, etc.) and other DJ Crews (Invisbl Skratch Piklz, The Beat Junkies, The 5th Platoon, etc.)

I immersed myself in Hip Hop culture by participating in B-Boy events as a DJ and building a record collection.

I built a clientele that trusted my taste in Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, Soul, Rock, etc.

I heavily incorporate my love and appreciation of music and culture into my English Language Arts classroom.

I was welcomed as a resident DJ at Mesa which started a shift in the music they were providing for their guests

--

It’s really hard to describe last night because I was thinking about all those bullet points simultaneously and reflecting where we are during this weird-ass quarantine lockdown.

But something really special happened when I was playing MP3s that I have as vinyl.  All those memories of when I was young, naive, and wide-eyed about the world came flooding back to me.  

All those memories came back and I was able to organically rock a hip hop set as if it were 2004 all over again.

All those memories made me realize that I haven’t really changed much.  My shift in music taste doesn’t necessarily mean I’m abandoning my Hip Hop roots.  It shows that I’m still hungry and wide-eyed about the world and want music to continue to give me the happiness it’s always provided me.

--

(Rampage, High School Sandōk, Sunnynblue circa 2005)

I wish I had more pictures of when I first started DJ’ing.  I think I was insecure because I didn’t want the label of “Bedroom DJ” because I wanted to be something much more.

Kind of ironic now that I’m DJ’ing in my living room for y’all.  HAHAH

--

A huge thank you to everyone that has been influential in my life.  That includes my clients, friends, family, and random people that enjoy my music at a bar/club/twitch stream.

holla.

[djsandok]

Dealing With Distractions

SOUNDCLOUD LINK

hi.

this project was almost completed but moving into my new apartment in july took the majority of my time.  even then, this project was supposed to be completed in may as a "hip hop mixtape," but i decided against that because well.  this was the vibe i was feeling for the summer. it's pretty eclectic.  but i think that fits my persona as a dj.   i've been super-reflective on my dj career and incredibly grateful for the clients that welcomed me into their lives for their special occasions.   for example, a lot of my friends got married in their 20s.  these are the same friends that would hire me for their birthday, halloween, you-name-it parties.  it hit me pretty recently that many of their weddings signified their next chapter in their life and their party days are over.  it's that same mixed bag of emotions that's attached to any sort of nostalgia: i'm sad that the past is over because there were some great memories made; however, i'm incredibly happy to have experienced those memories and knowing i was a part of their lives providing the vibes for the night. i'm incredibly lucky to be able to continue my career as a dj as well as grow as an artist.  i know far too many people that fell off for their own reasons and i totally respect their choice.  that's why i genuinely mean it when i say i'm blessed to be able to find a balance with my professional teaching career and dj'ing. i hope you enjoy this one.  i sure did making it. holla.

1. JODECI - FREEKN'YOU 2. ERYKAH BADU  - DIDN'TCHAKNOW 3. JANET JACKSON + BLACKSTREET - I GET SO LONELY 4. AALIYAH - MAN UNDERCOVER 5. LANA DEL REY - WESTCOAST 6. SZA - BROKEN CLOCKS 7. LEON BRIDGES - BAD BAD NEWS 8. N.E.R.D. - YOU KNOW WHAT 9. JORJA SMITH - ON MY MIND 10. KALI UCHIS - YOUR TEETH IN MY NECK 11. SZA - GARDEN (SAY IT LIKE THAT) 12. ELLA MAI + JOHN LEGEND - EVERYTHING 13. BRYSON TILLER - BLAME 14. KALI UCHIS - FLIGHT 22 15. JANELLE MONAE - MAKE ME FEEL 16. PRINCE - 17 DAYS 17. 2 CHAINZ - ROLLS ROYCE BITCH 18. BRYSON TILLER - DON'T GET TOO HIGH 19. JHENE AIKO - TRIGGERED 20. H.E.R. - LOSING 21. SNOH ALLEGRA - TIME 22. SZA + DVSN - THE WEEKEND

[djsandok]

Dealing with Dilemmas

My friend had an idea for a rap mixtape that he knew I’d appreciate. I wish I could share the title but I don’t want to say it until he releases his project that inspired my project.

I had many working titles.

Simpin’ Season Cuffin’ Ain’t Easy In Drake’s Feelings The Soundtrack of Sandok Horseman Nothing Lasts To All The Girls That I’ve Ghosted and Those That Ghosted Me

I thought about writing some super cryptic dedication with this release but nah. That’ll ruin the mystique.

Holla.

Link to Download MP3

Track Listing:

sza - normal girl nelly + kelly rowland - dilemma selena - if i could fall in love frank ocean - swim good xscape - who can i run to erykah badu - next lifetime jorja smith - lost and found lauryn hill - ex-factor 6lack - let her go usher - milk carton janet jackson - where are you now bryson tiller - exchange 6lack - ex callin’ craig david - 7 days snoh aalegra + vince staples - burns like the cold sza - quicksand beyonce - hold up lana del rey - ooh baby miguel + j cole - come through and chill sza + drake - come and see me at twoAM