Diarra Mayfield, better known to most as DJ DR (that’s Dee R, not doctor), hails from Philadelphia, but has earned the right to be called a Charlotte native. A graduate of Garinger High School, Diarra is a beatmaker and producer by trade. DJing is his second job, and he’s darn good at it.
He was named as one of Charlotte’s top five best djs by blu magazine and has played at almost every venue that’s worth its weight in gold in the city. Top that with the fact that he still mixes with vinyl and you have the makings of one of the nation’s most best djs (yes, I said nation).
So, Diarra, when did you fall in love with music?
Diarra: My relationship with music can’t even be put into words. I don’t think I would even be able to make it through the day without hearing some form of music. Music makes me feel as though everything is going to be alright, reguardless of what I may be going through at that time.
My all time favorite song? I have quite a few from R and B to Hip Hop, but since I’m a big classic hip hop fan I’d have to say Pete Rock and CL Smooth, “Reminiscence over You.” I’d just started high school at that time, I had a few deaths in the family and it was the first time a hip hop song with jazz influence made me feel like that. It made you reflect. It also inspired me to be the beatmaker/ producer that I am today.
My favorite musical era was definitely the 70’s for soul, r and b, and rock. For hip hop it was the late 80’s early 90’s, till 93. As far as the 70’s, nothing beats the feel of live instrumentation. They didn’t have autotune and voice enhancers in those days. You either knew how to play or sing, or not. Period. A lot of these newcomers don’ t quite know about that. As far as hip hop, hip hop in the late 80’s and 90’s was fun! The songs had substance. You could either ride out to it, or dance to it in the club. And when you went to the club you would actually dance to it! Not stand around till 12:30 and then decide to dance like they do now.
In my ipod right now? I’m just getting ideas together for songs to sample and make beats out of. The Sylvers, The Intrigues, The Escorts, Tyrone Davis, Sylvia Robinson, The Moments, Leon Ware, etc.
As far as new music that I like to listen to … I like Eyrkah Badu’s new album. The new Smokey Robinson joint is hot … so, is Mayer Hawthorne and Dwele. I’ve been spinning Dwele for people since ’99. People need to hear his early stuff, when he was rapping, NICE! So on and so on … lol.
