DJ Cobra sure packs a wallop. Whether he’s spinning at a private event for Playboy or MTV, celebrities such as Madonna or Puff Daddy, or clubs such as Area, Les Deux, and Basque, he brings along mesmerizing beats and a seductive selection of tunes. But apparently, these live events aren’t enough for this multitasker. More than 40 gold- and platinum-selling recording artists (including Prince, Ludacris, Nelly, and Ashanti, among others) have called on him to open, perform, or tour with them, and he’s signed on as official DJ for The Knux, the hottest new act signed to Interscope Records.
Busy enough for you? It doesn’t end there. DJ Cobra is also the official DJ for ABC’s new TV show Comics Unleashed, and he’s returning to one of the forms that made him famous around the world: the mixtape. After all, Cobra is responsible for the only independent non-licensed music compilation (Mixtape Gods) that’s ever charted in the national top 100 (according to the Music Monitor Network), and he was named Mixtape DJ of the Year over internationally renowned DJs backed by major labels.
The most amazing part of DJ Cobra’s story may be all the hard work he’s put in. Before he was the most in-demand DJ in Los Angeles, he was a student at the University of Arizona with his own show on the college radio station. Before long, commercial stations came calling, his show went into syndication, and the trade magazines took notice. It was just a matter of time before he found his way to Hollywood.
I spoke to DJ Cobra, as he shared some personal insight for LA’s the Place readers:
What inspired you growing up that you think led to this?
I have always been a huge music fan. Growing up my parents tell me that when I was 3 years old my favorite channel to watch was MTV and my favorite group at the time was Van Halen. I could not know go a week without buying music while I was in school. I would set aside a portion of my lunch money a day so I could afford to by a CD by the end of the week. It was a borderline obsession. Needless to say it was only a matter of time before I would gravitate towards deejaying
Can you tell us a little about how the DJ thing evolved to be what it is today? What attracted you?
Deejaying first emerged in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s in New York City. It was very much and underground scene at first but It quickly created club culture. The deejay has always been a extremely influential in regards to pop culture for the last 25-30 years. The deejay is responsible for hiphop, house music, disco and the lifestyles and culture which has subsequently developed through music. Today deejaying has evolved to where individuals can travel the world, get record deals, be on tv, magazines etc. It truly is an amazing profession that is constantly evolving and progressing.
Can you explain exactly what you do with the music and what is about you that makes you everyone’s favorite?
There is a wide range of various skills a deejay can have. For me I when I am playing for an audience I will pick and choose what I do, how I do it and the type of songs I play based on what I feel will get the best overall reaction at the time. Every event or club I deejay is always different so I never know what I am going to do but based on my years of experience I feel I have reached a point where I have developed the ability to know what people want to hear even if they dont. Its a very strange Jedi like ability that deejays can develop over time. When you are able to know when to play the right songs at the right time with fluid mixing thrown in with some deejay tricks such as word play mixes, scratching, etc it makes more a winning combination.
Ever sing or play yourself?
Nope. I am not a singer to say the least nor have I played an instrument since junior high. Today the turntable outsells guitars and some have made the argument that the turntable itself is an instrument but whatever the case maybe I would not trade it for any other brass, wood or synthesizer in the world;
You can catch the hot sounds of DJ Cobra at the following clubs…
Current Residencies:
Area (Hollywood)
Les Deux (Hollywood)
Basque (Hollywood)
Monroes (Hollywood)
Blonde (Kansas City)
Stingaree (San Diego)
Confidential (San Diego)
Voodoo Lounge (St Louis)
Last Super Club (Seattle)
Corporate Clients:
Playboy, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, Warner Brothers, Interscope Records, ABC, 944 Magazine, Ed Hardy, Tag Jeans, MTV, HBO, Paramount Pictures, VH1, Courvoisier, Kia Motors, Weinstein Group, Vibe Magazine, E! Entertainment, Victoria’s Secret, Virgin Records, DreamWorks, and many more
Celebrity Clients:
Madonna, Ray Ramono, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Puff Daddy, Prince, Tyra Banks, Nikki Hilton, Lara Flyn Boyle, Nelly, Mandy Moore, Hillary Duff, Ludacris, Byron Allen, Ashanti, James Caan and many more
PRESS: 944 Magazine, LA Times, Hits Magazine, Radio & Records, LA.com, and many more.
