TJ's DJ's Homecoming

[Clyde Anderson]

TJ’s DJ’s Spectacular Homecoming
By: Keith Kennedy & Nick Comney

The eve of Halloween on October 30 in Tallahassee, FL provided plenty of treats for aspiring DJs, artists, producers, and hundreds of other Tastemakers to network with various individuals in the music community and form relationships that will prove to be helpful in their developing careers. This event by TJ’s DJ’s entitled the Tastemakers Only DJ/Music Conference also became a highlight of the Florida A&M University’s Homecoming festivities.

The evening began with a spectacular Beat Battle presented by Jim Jonsin’s BeatBakery.com. Sixteen of the best up and coming producers hoped to present themselves as the next big thing in the world of beat creation. They would go head to head judged by production veterans such as DJ Speedy (Beyonce’, Young Jeezy, BG) until one remained. Little did these promising minds such as Network, Man Beast, C4 Bombsquad, Caramel Labs, and Charlie Boom know that the reigning champ, Sam Addams, was more than ready to defend his crown as he took home the trophy, once again.

Speaking of trophies, TJ’s DJ’s took the opportunity to recognize DJs who excel in their craft with the prestigious crystallized trophy, the Platinum Needle Award. This event’s recipients were DJ 151 (Jacksonville) and DJ E-Zone (WWLD-Tallahassee).

After the hardware was presented the entertainment portion provided plenty of tricks on how to keep a crowd’s attention. Beginning with the Modelween set where Tallahassee’s finest graced the stage for a modeling scene that kept the Tastemakers on the edge of their seat. Meanwhile throughout the night, the best talent on the horizon such as Papa Duck, D Cap, DJ Brad, Mr. Cassanova, NBA Entertainment, MoBillionaireZ, Kaliko, Total Kaos, M. Beezy, Juney Boomdata, Primo and J Harden along with his pole dancers graced the stage. But, Pastor Troy brought the Tastemakers to a crunken frenzy demonstrating why he is the people’s champ.

The Tastemakers Conference was not all fun and games as there was an element of business explored by the Tastemakers Radio Panel. Leading field innovators such as Kaspa (founder, Hittmenn DJs, Michelle Reynolds (WVVS – Valdosta, GA), Wendy Day (artist advocate & founder, the Rap Coalition), Big Nick (WLYX – Valdosta, GA), Sean D (PD, WANM / DJ, The Schoolboys), Young Cash (artist, Nappy Boy Ent), and Tony C described how to interact with radio to your benefit from a number of angles.

Make sure you log on to www.tjsdjs.com to find out the information on the next TJ’s DJ’s Tastemakers Conference during the 1st Quarter ’09. For pictures, make sure you log on to http://www.flickr.com/photos/32109040@N07/?saved=1 or to hear the TJ’s DJ’s Xclusives – Homecoming Edition CD – click http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/x1j61l.

After attending the TJ’s DJ’s Tastemakers Only DJ/Music Conference one should have all of the tools necessary to scare the haters away with their newfound success.