DJ Blaknificent

Hailing from New Orleans, La, DJ Blaknificent is a rare jewel in this crown called Hip Hop. Starting out as a rapper, then a producer, he says, “I came in through the back door. I never intended on being a DJ. All of my friends were DJs and they always came to me for music”. He has been producing professionally since he was 15 years old. To his credit, he has produced, composed and mixed various projects over the last 25 years. His first professionally credited project was “Stop Pause” by DJ Jubilee. That record sold over 50,000 units.

Shortly after that, Blaknif, long time friend and collaborator Raj Smoove and other friends of his formed Psychoward a collective of DJs producers and MCs. Blaknificent was instrumental in the crew’s success contributing production, lyrics and all around guidance to the crew’s 27 members. “Steel sharpens Steel. I wanted to be the best and I wanted my crew to be the best so we would have sparring sessions that I like to call classes!” Those sessions created some of the best MCs in New Orleans. His career as a DJ began when the crews’ known DJs were all booked up and promoters were looking for DJs. At the urging of his partners, he took the gigs. “I knew how to blend, and I knew the music well, it made perfect since” says Blak. Between doing small parties and observing his crew (who are hailed as the best DJs in the city) something went off inside of him. Suddenly I got the urge to really do this!! His first real shot came backing up Big Cheeez (Kool DJ champion) at Rhythm City (and Later Club D-Plex) Night Club, after that Blak along with E.F. Cuttin’ did a 3 year residency at Club 735 on world famous Bourbon St. I really cut my teeth in there. I learned how to play for every race, creed, and gender.”

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit The Crescent City and forced Blaknificent to Houston, TX. Never one to accept defeat, Blaknif got on the grind and started doing anything he could. Blaknificent became the resident DJ at The Libra Lounge, and after that Swagger Lounge and Club Divus.

Blaknificent has played in venues such as House of Blues, New Orleans, Clark Atlanta University, The Knitting Factory (New York), Tipitina’s (A New Orleans Landmark), The Louisiana Superdome, The Reliant Center, The Kiefer Lakefront Arena, The Louisiana Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest), Alamo City Music Hall (San Antonio), and a host of other clubs and parties in the Continental U.S.