DJ Quest Quest, began his musical pursuit in San Franciscos Mission District in the mid ‰80s. In the early part of the decade, Quest was heavily influenced primarily by the sounds of electro and rap from Run DMC to Newcleus to Ice T and Kraftwerk. Naturally, the Hip-Hop elements influenced an obsession with the vinyl that caused this young fanatic to fall under the spell of scratch music. In 1987, Quest took his talents to the street when he partnered up with Polo G and DJ 2 Fresh and began rocking house parties, high school dances, etc. However, unsatisfied with the lack of appreciation for scratch music at his mobile gig, Quest took his skills to a the stage, joined Hip-Hop groups, and entered countless DJ battles which provided the foundation and raised the level of dedication and discipline required to master the craft. Simultaneously, Quest hooked up with DJ Eddie Def and DJ Cue, and created an early version of a DJ band ²The Bullet Proof Scratch HamstersÓ. Their biggest contribution came in 1992 with the release of Hamster Breaks Vol. 1, the first record of its kind arranged specifically for scratch and battle DJs. This triggered a wild fire effect and opened up a new market for tool records and battle breaks. This same year, Quest coined the term ²Hamster StyleÓ which refers to the reverse set up of the turntables into the mixer. Today the term remains popular and is recognized by DJs worldwide. In 1996, the crew released the follow up ²HB 3Ó. "The 'Paul's Boutique' of break records" as described in URB magazine. Now under a new name, The Bullet Proof Space Travelerz, and new members: M.C. Eddie K and DJ Marz, the group branched towards new arenas of showcasing and production. In late 96, Quest further expanded his musical horizons by teaming up with Albert Mathias (percussion) and Andrew Kushin (contra bass) to form the experimental Jazz/Hip-Hop group Livehuman. Since its formation the trio has self produced recordings for the British based label Fat Cat Records, the Bay Areas Hip-Hop Slam, Matador Records and their own independent label Cosmic Records. This new artistic outlet presented Quest with new creative possibilities as well as the opportunity to serve his chops throughout the world. Displaying his abilities all over the US, Australia, Japan and Europe. Highlighted performances include the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and Transmusicales Music Fest in Renn, France. Aside of his Livehuman expeditions, Quest has toured with the likes of Quannum artist, Latyrx; The Bomb Hip-Hop DJs, Future Primitive Sound, Space Travelerz and as a solo DJ. Around the turn of the millennium Quest kept busy producing a series of breaks and tools. In 1998, Quest hooked up with Mission district homeboy J-Wicked and produced an original sound bank of special effects and sound bites on wax for scratching ²Etchings of the Upper Dynamic FrequenciesÓ. Quest linked up once again with his old school DJ partner 2 Fresh and released ²Vinyl HedzÓ (2000) and ²Electro SoxÓ (2002) on their own "Breaks Ahead" label, under the name ²Mission CartelÓ. In addition to the numerous albums, break records and mix cds (tapes), Quest has collaborated on many recordings with various artist including Dan ²The AutomatorÓ, Blackalicious, Rob Swift, Z-man, Sacred Hoop, DJ Zeph, DJ Q Bert (Do It Yourself vol. 2), Wide Hive Records collective ²Variable UnitÓ, and The DJ Project to name a few. While learning about every aspect of the industry and every application of the music, Quest expanded his versatility and used it to cater to a spectrum of situations. In 2000, as part of a seven piece orchestra, Quest took part in a Urban Opera ²The Human PlaceboÓ, based on "Kinh" the Mayan mythology of time. In 2002, he collaborated with composer Gina Leishman and co-produced and performed the sound score for Cal Shakes Shakespere at the Park production of ²A Winters TaleÓ. All along Quest spread his contagious love for the art and took part in even more events such as DJ workshops and clinics for sponsors such as Rane and Stanton constantly contributing to the fine tuning of the turntable as an instrument, and the shaping of turntablism. No doubt, Quest has been influential on equipment manufacturers as well. Nearly every competent battle mixer has now adopted the Hamster feature (the reverse switch). On the recording front, Quest has recently released ²Bullet Proofs BackÓ, a jam packed 12Ó featuring M.C. Eddie K on vocals. The 12Ó includes the heavy bass thumpin, car bumpin track ²Ghetto StashÓ, plus a DJ breakdown on the b-side taken from the full length mix cd ²MutationmannÓ (Ultramix) a breakbeats masterpiece two years in the making. The 12Ó is also Quest first official release on Wide Hive Records, and the first single out of Quest forthcoming full length album due in 2006. In 2003, Livehuman once again pushed the boundaries of turntable Jazz with the release of ²BreaksevenÓ. A show record sampling bits and pieces of the band, loaded with instrument sounds and special effects for the musician DJ or producer. The albums success lead to a remix album ²Livehuman Breaks Even RemixesÓ featuring a collection of artist from around the world. The remixed tracks were later arranged on a mix cd by Quest and DJ Pone, the results, a unique concept that reaches a new realm of audio experimentation. Currently, Livehuman is busy breaking in a new music studio and planning the release of a new live cd, ²Live in JapanÓ due in the fall. While Quest remains active in the San Francisco club scene, putting it in the mix for dance floor fanatics, hes also representing at Hip-Hop shows with right hand man Eddie K. Occasionally Quest shares the stage with the all star line up ²Top RockerzÓ a b-boy break beat band. Quest is also wrapping up a two month weekly event put on by Wide Hive Records ²ScoutÓ, an ambitious open mic live recording featuring VU. Presently, Quest is sharing his DJ knowledge by teaching private and group classes out of his SF home studio to adults and children. The curriculum includes beginner to advanced courses on mixing, scratching, and industry related subjects. In August 2005, Quest joined the staff of professionals at NORCAL/DJMPA and will be offering a session style intermediate to advanced course on scratching, DJ202. |
 From the stage to the studio, from the classroom to the battle field, for nearly two decades, Quest's enthusiastic character has kept him ahead of the game. In a competitive field, the sport of music has managed to narrow the visibility of many, but Quest's persistence has earned him conspicuous status and a place in the DJ community as a visionary of the instrument of the future ²the turntableÓ. Quests official website is www.DJQuest.net |
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