DJ Babu

Chris Oroc AKA Melvin Babu (born September 17, 1974), better known as DJ Babu, is a Filipino-American DJ and producer. He is a member of the hip hop trio Dilated Peoples, with Rakaa Iriscience and Evidence. Also a member of the World Famous Beat Junkies DJ crew. He served as the curator and host of "Soundcheck" for Beat Junkie Radio on Dash Radio. As of 2017, DJ Babu is the Program Director and a lead instructor alongside fellow crew members Mr. Choc, Melo-D, Rhettmatic, D-Styles and J.rocc at the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.

DJ Babu
DJ Babu
Background information
Birth nameChris Oroc
Also known asMelvin Babu
Babu
The Turntablist
The Dilated Junkie
Babs
Born (1974-09-17) September 17, 1974
Washington, D.C.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)DJ, Producer and Program Director/Lead Instructor at the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.
InstrumentsTurntables
Years active1992–present
LabelsStones Throw Records
Nature Sounds
Associated actsBeat Junkies
Dilated Peoples
Likwit Junkies
WebsiteDilated Peoples

Career

Babu is also a member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew, and together with rapper Defari forms the duo the Likwit Junkies. Babu, Evidence and Pharoahe Monch are featured in the song "H! Vltg3," from Linkin Park's album Reanimation.

In his early years, Babu lived in Oxnard, California for one year, and later moved to the neighboring city of Camarillo, he currently resides in Los Angeles County.

Babu has won multiple competition titles Including the Vestax World Championships and multiple ITF titles. As a revered battle DJ he has appeared in and hosted numerable videos. Babu is famous for redefining the art of Beat juggling during the 1997 ITF/Beat juggling category competition, when he first performed his "Blind Alley" routine. Under the name "The Turntablist", produced perhaps the genre's most popular battle record, 1996's Super Duck Breaks, which sold over 10,000 copies.

DJ Babu has also featured on numerous acts alongside groups such as Jurassic 5, Swollen Members and The Visionaries. Individually Babu has been featured in many other groups.

Babu's latest endeavors include Dilated Peoples 2014 release of their fifth studio album, Directors of Photography with record label Rhymesayers Entertainment, which features tracks that were primarily produced by Evidence (musician) and Babu, with guest appearances from Vince Staples, Aloe Blacc, Action Bronson, Sick Jacken, and Rapsody to name a few.

In 2014, The Beat Junkies crew launched their own membership based record pool curated by the members of the crew, including Babu. At the top of 2015, "Beat Junkie Radio" began airing on Dash Radio, the station stars all members of the crew, but led by Babu, Mr. Choc, and Rhettmatic. Their live show "Soundcheck' which aires live every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month has been ranked as one of the top 5 shows on Dash Radio.

Duck Season Vol. 4 is set to be released in 2018.

Aside Babu's musical accomplishments, his hobbies also include photography, with Babu being noted for his "behind the decks" shots of his turntables with Evidence (musician) + Rakaa during live shows, as well as landscape shots of his travels around the world with Dilated Peoples.

On January 18, 2017, The Beat Junkies formally announced plans to open their own DJ school (The Beat Junkie Institute of Sound) and Professional training facility featuring fundamental and specialized DJ courses, workshops, and private instruction - all provided by the Beat Junkies Crew (DJ Babu, Mr Choc, D-Styles, J.Rocc, DJ Melo-D, and DJ Rhettmatic).

The Beat Junkie Institute of Sound is headquartered in Glendale, California. The school offers an opportunity to join DJ community and learn the art form of DJing "Beat Junkie Style" on state of the art equipment in an intimate and professional environment. Available to those new to DJing, cultural enthusiasts, recreational DJ's, serious hobbyists, or a consummate Pro's - the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound will be offering a curriculum and environment suited for anyone interested in learning the craft and history.

The school focuses on mechanics and treats Djing as an art form and craft with the approach of a martial art discipline. The Beat Junkie Institute of Sound opened May 2017, with Babu being the Program Director and Lead Instructor alongside Mr. Choc. Babu leads in the introductory classes, intermediate/advanced level scratching, creative mixing and beat juggling classes.

Discography

Albums
  • Super Duck Breaks (1996)
  • Super Duper Duck Breaks (2000)
  • Duck Season Vol. 1 (2002)
  • Duck Season Vol. 2 (2003)
  • The Beat Tape Vol. 1 (2007)
  • Duck Season Vol. 3 (2008)
  • The Beat Tape Vol. 2 (2010)
  • "No Apologies" (With LMNO) (2010) [1]
  • "Wild Stylus" (1997) [Scratches – tracks: A2 to A4, B1 to B2]

Singles
  • "Pay Attention" (2001)
  • "Duck Season" (2002)
  • "Fan Mail" (2007)

Production
  • "Funky Duck" Wild Stylus (1997)
  • "Service" Dilated Peoples (2000)
  • "Phil Da Agony Interlude" Dilated Peoples (2001)
  • "Proper Propaganda" Dilated Peoples (2001)
  • "Pay Attention" Dilated Peoples (2001)
  • "Hard Hitters" Dilated Peoples (2001)
  • "Dilated Junkies" Dilated Peoples (2001)
  • "Behold My Life" Defari (2002)
  • "Behold My Life (Remix)" Defari (2003)
  • "International" Chali 2na (2005)
  • "The L.J.'s (album)-" Likwit Junkies (2005)
  • "Alarm Clock Music" Dilated Peoples (2006)
  • "Burn Big" Defari (2006)
  • "Vultures" Defari (2006)
  • "Rain or Shine" Evidence (2008)
  • "C.T.D." Rakaa Iriscience (2010)
  • "Eyes Wide" Rakaa Iriscience (2010)
  • "Same Folks" Evidence (2011)
  • "No Gunz Come Out" Defari (2013)
  • "Lip Service" Defari (2013)
  • "Curveball" Defari (2013)
  • "Progressive 3" Vince Staples (2014)

References
  1. "No Apologies". Apple Inc. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2014-10-01.
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