DJ Sharaz
Encyclopedia
Sharaz is a DJ and electronica
producer in the Bradenton, FL area who is known for many national remixes
, especially in the form of Florida breaks
and breakbeat
. He is originally from East Chicago, but in 1986 moved to Florida to attend College. His current company is NineFourOne Media and he holds a private pilot
license.
His influences are largely soul/funk but also include: Eddie Kendricks
, Isaac Hayes
, Candi Staton
, Otis Redding
, Elvis Presley
, Zapp
, The Stylistics
, O'Jays, Bill Withers
, Lyrics Born
, Sparlha Swa, Slave, Midnight Star
, Stevie Wonder
(pre-1980), Al Green
, etc.
Some of his notable remixes: La Roux, Aquasky vs. Masterblaster, Everything But The Girl, Robin Fox
(Billboard
), Afrika Bambaataa
, Fannypack, Fierce Ruling Diva
"You Gotta Believe" (Billboard
number 1 single)
He has performed alongside acts such as Richard "Humpty" Vission, DJ Mea, Darude
, DJ Rap
, The Warp Brothers, The Bassbin Twins, Paul Oakenfold
, DJ Baby Anne
, Storm (UK), Dave London, D:Fuse
, The Crystal Method
, Reid Speed, and DJ Icey
.
In 2007, Sharaz's track "Holdin' On" was nominated for an IDMA (International Dance Music Award) award for Best Breaks/Electro track along with Jamiroquai
, Bodyrox, Outwork f/Mr. Gee and Fedde Le Grand
. Fedde Le Grand went on to win this category with his single "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit
".
Although primarily a breakbeat producer, Sharaz will often incorporate different genres into his production such as house music
and, more recently, rocktronica and dubstep
.
Sharaz has been nominated several times as "America's Favorite DJ" in the breakbeat
category by BPM (magazine)
Sharaz has 35 records and five compact discs released.
Remixes have been provided by Sharaz for Tommy Boy Records, POD Music, Kaleidoscope, DBI records, and StreetBeat Records.
In August 2009, Sharaz began releasing a bi-weekly online mixcast in MP3 downloadable format entitled "Return to Planet Boom".
In early 2010, after a several year hiatus (from approx 2006 - 2010), Sharaz began producing and releasing new tracks again via Soundcloud
, Beatport
and iTunes
.
Released July 1, 1999
10 Track UNMIXED CD.
DJ SHARAZ - "HORIZON" CD (CD-02)
Released: February 23, 2000
12 Track Mixed CD.
SHARAZ "DELIVERANCE" CD (CD-03)
Released October 31, 2000
14 TRACK MIXED CD
SHARAZ "OUT OF NOWHERE" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released March 20, 2001
12 TRACK MIXED CD
SHARAZ "TURN IT UP" CD (CD-04)
Released June 15, 2001
13 track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "FURTHER OUT" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released February 26, 2002
12 Track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "UNTIL DAWN" CD (CD-05)
Release Date October 31, 2002
16 track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "RUST" DVD/CD COMBO (CD-06)
Released January 30, 2005
Mix CD + Multimedia DVD/MP3s
SHARAZ "COLLECTED" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released August 22, 2006
8 Track UNMIXED CD/MP3
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
producer in the Bradenton, FL area who is known for many national remixes
RemixeS
RemixeS is a compilation of French singer Mylène Farmer's singles by various famous DJ's, including JXL, Felix Da Housecat and Paul Oakenfold.-Brackground, writing and release:...
, especially in the form of Florida breaks
Florida breaks
Florida breaks, also referred to as Florida breakbeat, is a genre of breakbeat music which, as the name suggests, is most popular in the areas around the US state of Florida but is recognized as a unique sound around the world. Florida breaks became popular in the club culture of the southeast...
and breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
. He is originally from East Chicago, but in 1986 moved to Florida to attend College. His current company is NineFourOne Media and he holds a private pilot
Private Pilot
A private pilot is the holder of a Private Pilot License. They are able to fly to almost anywhere in the world, but are limited in the type of aircraft that they can fly...
license.
His influences are largely soul/funk but also include: Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
, Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, Candi Staton
Candi Staton
Candi Staton is an American soul and gospel singer, best known for her 1970 remake of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976 disco hit "Young Hearts Run Free". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
, Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Zapp
Zapp
Zapp may refer to:*Zapp , a 1980s funk band based in Ohio, USA*Zapp , the debut album by the funk band*Zapp Brannigan, a fictional character from the television series Futurama...
, The Stylistics
The Stylistics
The Stylistics are a soul music vocal group, and were one of the best-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. They formed in 1968, and were composed of lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn. All of their US hits were ballads, graced by the...
, O'Jays, Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
, Lyrics Born
Lyrics Born
Lyrics Born , is a Japanese American rapper, record producer, songwriter, and voice over announcer. He is also one half of the group Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker.-History:...
, Sparlha Swa, Slave, Midnight Star
Midnight Star
Midnight Star is an R&B and electro-funk group that had a string of R&B hits in the 1980s.-Band history:The group was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by trumpeter Reggie Calloway, vocalist Belinda Lipscomb, guitarist/vocalist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, multi-instrumentalist...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
(pre-1980), Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
, etc.
Some of his notable remixes: La Roux, Aquasky vs. Masterblaster, Everything But The Girl, Robin Fox
Robin Fox
Robin Fox is an Anglo-American anthropologist who has written on the topics of marriage, human and primate kinship systems, and evolutionary anthropology and sociology. He was born in Yorkshire. He founded the department of anthropology at Rutgers University in 1967 and remained a professor there...
(Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
), Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
, Fannypack, Fierce Ruling Diva
Fierce Ruling Diva
Fierce Ruling Diva is a Dutch house music duo from Amsterdam consisting of producers Jeroen Flamman and Jeff Porter. In the early nineties they charted three songs on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, the most of successful of which was "You Gotta Believe," a #4 hit in 1992...
"You Gotta Believe" (Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
number 1 single)
He has performed alongside acts such as Richard "Humpty" Vission, DJ Mea, Darude
Darude
Ville Virtanen , better known by his stage name Darude is a trance producer and DJ from Eura, Hinnerjoki, Finland. Debuting in 1995, he released the hit single "Sandstorm" in late 1999 and subsequent album Before the Storm...
, DJ Rap
DJ Rap
Charissa Saverio is a British drum and bass, house music and progressive electronic music disc jockey.-Biography:...
, The Warp Brothers, The Bassbin Twins, Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
, DJ Baby Anne
DJ Baby Anne
DJ Baby Anne , who refers to herself as "The Bass Queen", is an Orlando-based DJ and producer who works with live sets and original mixes that fuse Electro with Miami Bass and funky breaks.-Discography:...
, Storm (UK), Dave London, D:Fuse
D:Fuse
D:Fuse is an American producer, remixer and DJ based out of Los Angeles, California.He is the co-owner of Lost Angeles Recordings, along with fellow DJ/producer Mike Hiratzka. The duo’s first release on their label was the D:Fuse & Hiratzka album ‘Skyline Lounge’, which was initially released on...
, The Crystal Method
The Crystal Method
The Crystal Method is an American electronic music duo that was created in Los Angeles, California by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland in the early 1990s. The Crystal Method's music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, video games, and advertisements. The most prominent is the US television...
, Reid Speed, and DJ Icey
DJ Icey
DJ Icey, , is a DJ and electronic music producer, credited by Allmusic as having helped to "jump-start the increasingly fertile dance scene in and around Orlando, FL, during the '90s". E, the Incredibly Strange History of Ecstasy credits him as "the prime founder of the Funky Breaks and the Florida...
.
In 2007, Sharaz's track "Holdin' On" was nominated for an IDMA (International Dance Music Award) award for Best Breaks/Electro track along with Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
, Bodyrox, Outwork f/Mr. Gee and Fedde Le Grand
Fedde le Grand
Fedde le Grand is a Dutch house DJ and producer whose single "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" / "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit" reached number one on the UK's singles and the top 5 in the Dutch singles chart, and spent five weeks in the Spanish dance chart...
. Fedde Le Grand went on to win this category with his single "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit
Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit
"Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit" is a house/Electro single written and produced by Fedde le Grand, and based upon a direct vocal sample from Matthew Dear & Disco D's "Hands Up for Detroit."...
".
Although primarily a breakbeat producer, Sharaz will often incorporate different genres into his production such as house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and, more recently, rocktronica and dubstep
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as "tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals"....
.
Sharaz has been nominated several times as "America's Favorite DJ" in the breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
category by BPM (magazine)
BPM (magazine)
BPM is an American magazine devoted to "Music, Technology, Nightlife and Style". Based in Hollywood, California, the magazine has published over 95 issues...
Sharaz has 35 records and five compact discs released.
Remixes have been provided by Sharaz for Tommy Boy Records, POD Music, Kaleidoscope, DBI records, and StreetBeat Records.
In August 2009, Sharaz began releasing a bi-weekly online mixcast in MP3 downloadable format entitled "Return to Planet Boom".
In early 2010, after a several year hiatus (from approx 2006 - 2010), Sharaz began producing and releasing new tracks again via Soundcloud
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
, Beatport
Beatport
Beatport is an online music store specializing in electronic dance music and culture. Beatport is a privately held company owned and operated by Beatport LLC and based in Denver, Colorado.-History:...
and iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
CD Discography
DJ SHARAZ "ILL BEHAVIOR" CD (CD-01)Released July 1, 1999
10 Track UNMIXED CD.
DJ SHARAZ - "HORIZON" CD (CD-02)
Released: February 23, 2000
12 Track Mixed CD.
SHARAZ "DELIVERANCE" CD (CD-03)
Released October 31, 2000
14 TRACK MIXED CD
SHARAZ "OUT OF NOWHERE" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released March 20, 2001
12 TRACK MIXED CD
SHARAZ "TURN IT UP" CD (CD-04)
Released June 15, 2001
13 track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "FURTHER OUT" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released February 26, 2002
12 Track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "UNTIL DAWN" CD (CD-05)
Release Date October 31, 2002
16 track Mixed CD
SHARAZ "RUST" DVD/CD COMBO (CD-06)
Released January 30, 2005
Mix CD + Multimedia DVD/MP3s
SHARAZ "COLLECTED" (StreetBeat Records, Inc.)
Released August 22, 2006
8 Track UNMIXED CD/MP3