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From turntables at age four to festival stages across the country, DJ Keys brings us behind the curtain of his remarkable journey in music. Growing up as the son of DJ Smooth (who learned from Curtis Blow's DJ), Keys was destined for a life in sound—but it was his own unique path that transformed him from a curious kid to one of Tampa's most respected turntablists.
The documentary "Scratch" changed everything for Keys, shifting his focus from party rocking to the technical artistry of turntablism. He takes us through his evolution—from DMC battles against DJ Slurp to forming the band Samurai Shotgun and touring globally with alternative hip-hop sounds. His memories of Old Dirty Sundays at Crowbar capture a golden era in Tampa's music scene, where true DJ skills were not just appreciated but celebrated.
What makes this conversation special is how it weaves between music and Keys' other passions—his encyclopedic knowledge of Marvel comics, skateboarding adventures, and competitive gaming career. He opens up about how being a middle child drove him to forge his own identity, finding refuge in subcultures that became fundamental to his artistic expression. This blend of influences has made him not just a technically skilled DJ, but a genuine cultural curator.
As the music landscape continues to evolve, Keys offers powerful advice for aspiring artists: find your own identity and don't get caught up in social media's imitation game. "Be inspired by others," he says, "but make what you're inspired by your own." In a world of followers, DJ Keys reminds us that originality still matters—and perhaps that's the true key to longevity in any creative field.