Choclate City catches up with Dj Nabs

When I first moved to Atlanta in Nov of 1997, I was just like anyone else caught up in the night life. I was freshly divorced and I was in the city called the Mecca for black people. I had a weekly club routine that included Cafe Enchelon on Thurs nights, Club 112 on Friday nights, Atlanta Live on Saturday nights and Club Kaya on Sunday nights. Atlanta night was pretty exciting to me back then. Out of all the clubs I went to, Club Kaya was the best.I think it was because of this one dj that stood out. His name was Dj Nabs. I use to listen to him on power 97 before it became 1079. I remember listening to Nabs, Chris Luva and Poon Daady. They would be rocking the airwaves.

Then on Sunday nights, Dj Nabs would have his lab in Club Kaya. It was a popping ass spot. The first time I went was Feb 1998. It was part of my week long celebration. Ill never forget that night. Outcast was sitting out my table and Andre was drunk and his head down on my table. His drunk ass was fucking up my vibe. Big Boi was off the chain and my homegirl was a groupie. We were in the front part of the club and then I heard noise from another room, It was Dj Nabs laboratory. I stepped into the room being noisey seeing what all the hoopla was about. Then that's when I say this cute ass dj on the stage with two turntables. The crowd was hyped and I had no clue what was going on. Then he started playing and I was taken in by the ease of his craft for mix and scratching. After hearing him that night, I had become a fan for life. My Sunday nights consisted of having my ass in the labs with Dj Nabs. Even when I went home for the weekend, my ass would be right there in that 10pm line. I had to be there to hear him play and be surprised by the different guest that would pop up on stage. I remember one night getting there late and having to wait in a long ass line in the cold. To me it was worth it. Needless to say, I got sick with bad cold and ear infection from my dedication the rocking with in the lab.

I followed his career for a few years and was shocked when he was a dj at the 97.9 in Charlotte, NC. I was driving in the car one day and her his intro and I started screaming in the car because he was in my state rocking. I had no idea he was from Durham lol. Last year I had the opportunity to go to the Core Dj's 10 year anniversary. It started that Friday afternoon and guess who was on the turntables? That's right Dj Nabs. I was truly honored to him play and display those mad skillz I heard back in 98 for the first time. The following day, I bumped into him and I introduced myself to him and told him of my memories from back in the day at Kaya. I was so impressed at his humbleness and his appreciation for my Kaya experiences. I knew I had to interview him for Choclate City Radio. We exchanged numbers. I walked away with the best feeling in the world after talking to him and him sharing his life stories with me. I even drove back to Miami from Ft Lauderdale be heading back to NC just to get a picture with him.

Here is The Dj Nabs interview. Radio interview is coming soon.


Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a dj?
I WAS 13 

Q: Where did you first get your big break ? MY FIRST BREAK WAS DJING FOR A GIRL NAMED FROSTY, SHE WAS FROM DURHAM, NC, MY HOMETOWN AND SHE HAD WHAT WE USED TO CALL AN "ANSWER RECORD" TO LL COOL J'S SONG, I NEED LOVE. HER SONG WAS " I NEED LLOVE NOW" AND I WAS HER DJ. I WAS 16

Q: How was it playing at Club Kaya foe the first time? KAYA WAS A CLUB THAT DIDNT REALLY HAVE A HIP HOP NIGHT WHEN I STARTED MY SUNDAY NIGHT. I WAS THE PROMOTER AND THE DJ. IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO CREATE "THE LAB" AND PEOPLE LOVED IT. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO BUILD A DECENT CROWD BEFORE IT BECAME BANANAS.

Q: How did you build up your audience? - BACK IN THE HOT 97.5 DAYS, ATLANTA'S FIRST AND ONLY COMMERCIAL HIP HOP STATION, I WAS DOING THE NIGHT SHOW CALLED "IN THE LAB WITH DJ NABS", CHRIS LUVA LUVA ND POON DADDY WERE MY SIDE KICKS ON THE SHOW. I BUILT MY LOCAL RADIO FAME THRU THE STATION AND MY SCHOOL & CLUB EVENTS

Q: How did become Kris Kross"s favorite dj? I WAS KRIS KROSS' ONLY DJ. I MEET THEIR MICHAEL MAULDIN (JERMAINE DUPRI'S FATHER) THRU MY GUYS, HEADLINER & SPEECH OF ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. JD COSIGNED ME AND THAT WAS IT.

Q: How hard is it for oyu to play their music since Kris has passed? EVERY NOW AND THEN, I HAVE A MOMENT. I REFECT AND THANK GOD FOR THE MEMORIES AND THE FRIENDSHIP THAT CHRIS AND I SHARED. WE WERE REAL FRIENDS, I CANT SAY THAT ABOUT MANY.

Q: How was it playing for So-So Def artist? I'M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT JD & MICHAEL MAULDIN PLACED ME IN. IT'S A FAMILY WITH UPS AND DOWN BUT I'VE STAYED LOYAL AND INTHE PROCESS HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS TO THIS DAY WITH MANY IN THE SO SO DEF CAMP. BRAT AND I ARE REALLY CLOSE, JD AND I HAVE MUTUAL RESPECT AND I STILL DO A LOT OF BUSINESS WITH MICHAEL MAULDIN WITH THE SCREAM TOUR BRAND AMONGST OTHER THINGS.


Q: What has been a life changer for you? SOBRIETY WAS A MAJOR GAME CHANGER FOR ME. THE LIFESTYLE OF A DJ IN NIGHTCLUBS, TOURING ETC CAN BE AMAZING BUT TAXING IF YOU OVER DO IT AND I'VE HAD MY MOMENTS. I WAS NEVER INTO DRUGS BUT I ENJOYED DRINKING IN THE CLUBS AND WILDING OUT. THIS YEAR MAKES 10 YEARS OF SOBRIETY FOR ME AND I DID IT WITH A PRAYER WITH MY MOM AND A STRONG WILL TO WANNA LIVE MY LIFE MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY FIT.



Q: I see you are into boxing. How did you get started with that sport? I GOT A CALL FROM A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, DJ TEE LUV. HE JOKINGLY ASKED IF I COULD CHANNEL SOME OF THAT OLD WILD FIGHTING SPIRIT I USED TO CONJURE UP WHILE DRINKING AND SEE IF I COULD BOX FOR CHARITY. AFTER A GOOD LAUGH AND A FEW MINUTES OF SERIOUS THOUGHT, I AGREED AND THE REST IS HISTORY AS THEY SAY. MY PUBLICIST KATRINA LEONCE SET UP A MEETING WITH AN INCREDIBLE BOXING TRAINER FROM PHILLY NAMED XAVIER BIGGS, WE GELLED TOGETHER IMMEDIATELY AND 2 AMATEUR WINS LATER,  HERE I AM.


Q: Tell me about the documentary you have coming out? THAT'S A LONG STORY THAT I'LL SHORTEN BY SAYING IT.....IF ANYONE SAW ATLRISE, THAT'S ABOUT 5% OF WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER IN TERMS OF  MY HISTORICAL CONTENT AND STORIES. I'VE HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING A NETWORK TO PICK UP MY FULL DOCUMENTARY BUT I WAS ABLE TO LICENSEE SOME OF MY FOOTAGE IN ATL RISE AND LUDACRIS' BEHIND THE MUSIC SPECIAL SO FAR. I'M STILL WORKING ON GETTING A DEAL


Q: I can honestly say it was a pleasure meeting you in person. Are you always so approachable?I THINK SO BUT I HAVE A RADAR FOR THAT B.S. SO WHEN IM APPROACHED CORRECTLY, IM VERY OPEN BUT I DON'T LIKE THAT SIDEWISE BUSINESS PEOPLE SOMETIMES WANNA COME WITH SO IT REALLY DEPENDS.

Q: What is your passion? I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE. THAT MAY SOUND CORNY BUT THINK ABOUT IT....WHEN YOU LOVE SOMETHING, SOMEONE  OR LOVE BEING SOMEPLACE AND DOING CERTAIN THINGS. IT'S ALL LOVE AND LIFE. I'M EXCITED EVERYDAY TO BE AROUND THE PEOPLE AND TO DO THE THINGS I LOVE. MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, MUSIC, ROLLERSKATING, STORIES.....IT GOES ON AND ON.


Q: What was one of the craziest groupie moments you can remember? WAKING UP, LOOKING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF ME, THINKING...."DAMN, THESE GIRLS REALLY CAME HOME WITH ME"

Q: How long have you been a Core Dj? MAYBE A YEAR OR SO. BUT I MET TONY NEAL ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO THRU A MUTUAL FRIEND, JERRY SMOKIN B

Q: Who were some of your favorite artist to work with? TOURING WISE? DA BRAT AND ALSO LIL JON....HANDS DOWN. THE MOST FUN AND TRULY GENUINE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH. NO FAKING. 

Q: What is your proudest moment ad a dj? THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN PRETTY AMAZING PERFORMING ALL OF THE WORLD, ROMANIA, ISTANBUL PARIS ETC BUT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THANKS TO MY MAN RIP OF THE SPIN FIRM, I GOT A CHANCE TO SPIN IN NEW YORK FOR THE GLOBAL SPIN AWARDS IN FRONT OF MANY OF MY DJ PEERS A FEW MONTHS AGO.  ALSO, RECEIVING SOME RECOGNITION LOCALLY AT A RESPECT THE DJ EVENT IN WHICH I SHARED THE STAGE WITH LIL JON ACCEPTING AN AWARD TOGETHER HERE IN ATL. 

Tell your fans something about you they dont already know? - WELL, AS YOU MAY KNOW, I'M OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE MAD DJ AND NOW I'M LAUNCHING THE SEARCH FOR THE ULTIMATE MAD DJ  IN ASSOCIATION WITH THIS YEAR'S SCREAM NATION "THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR, WHICH IS A JOINT VENTURE WITH SCREAM & LIVE NATION. IT WILL KICK OFF ON JAN 28, 2015. FOLLOW @DJNABSINLAB FOR MORE DETAILS.

Make sure you visit www.djnabs.com