DJ Symphony
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = DJ Symphony
| image = DJ-Symphony-Wikipedia
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| alias = Symphony Taylor
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|8|1}}
| origin = Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
| genre = Hip hop
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|DJ|educator}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Turntables}}
| years_active = {{start date|1989}}–present
| label = {{Proper name|Ice H2O Records}}, Instant Music Group
| associated_acts = Wu-Tang Clan, Wu-Block, Gza, Sadat X, Jeru the Damaja, Psycho Les, The Beatnuts
| website = {{URL|https://www.djsymphony.com/|www.djsymphony.com}}
}}
Symphony Taylor (born August 1, 1976) is an American hip hop producer, radio personality, and official DJ for GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Symphony has worked with artists such as Digital Underground, Tony Touch, DJ Boogie Blind, DJ Scratch from EPMD, The Beatnuts,{{cite web|url=http://www.agendamusical.cl/fotos-de-gza-de-wu-tang-clan-en-chile-2014/|title=Fotos de GZA de Wu Tang Clan en Chile|website=Agendamusical.cl|date=7 September 2014 }} Sean Price, P. Diddy, Nas, MF Doom, Alchemists, Mobb Deep, Portia Dee, Rick Ross, KRS-One, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Yelawolf, Onyx, 9th Wonder, B2K's Raz-B and B-Nasty
Early life
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, DJ Symphony started deejaying at age 9 when his older brothers requested him to be the DJ for their rap group New Poet Society.{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11464597-from-poverty-to-power-moves/|title=From Poverty To Power Moves|website=Goodreads.com}} He played local parties in the New Jersey area and was mentored in the craft by the late DJ Kashief, who was also a popular deejay in the New Jersey area at the time. DJ Symphony started making mixtapes by age 12, and used whatever money he made selling mixtapes to help him buy more vinyl records. DJ Symphony began his professional career in 1995 deejaying in nightclubs, restaurants, colleges and block parties in the New Jersey and New York area.
Career
= Radio =
File:DJ Symphony Performing in Chile.jpg]]
DJ Symphony became a radio DJ for 103.3 WPRB in Princeton, New Jersey in 1996 and ran a weekly program called Vibes and Vapours. In 1997, he also started to deejay for Rutgers University and did their Black Madness events. Although DJ Symphony devoted most of his time from 2000 and onward to tour deejaying for numerous artists, he returned to radio in 2007 and worked for 102.5 KSFM in Sacramento, California as a mix show DJ for the show Club 102 which aired from 12am-2am every weekend until 2009. In 2010, DJ Symphony became the program director for Radio Invasion 93.1FM a clear channel radio station.{{cite web|url=http://radioinvasion.com|title=Home - Free Internet Radio - Radio Invasion|website=Radioinvasion.com}}
= Tour DJ for the Gza of the Wu-Tang Clan =
File:DJ Symphony and Raekwon.jpg]]
In 2000, DJ Symphony was introduced to the Wu-Tang Clan through Raekwon. He started doing shows as Raekwon's tour DJ and in the years to come, he became official tour DJ for Gza of the Wu-Tang Clan,{{cite web|url=http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2012/08/24/hhv-exclusive-dj-symphony-talks-history-with-raekwon-wu-tang-clan-and-radio-invasion/|title=HHV Exclusive: DJ Symphony talks history with Raekwon, Wu-Tang Clan, and Radio Invasion|date=24 August 2012|website=Hip-hopvibe.com}} the other DJs being DJ Mathematics, DJ Dice and DJ Saki. DJ Symphony has toured with members of the Wu-Tang Clan on both domestic and international tours.
DJ Symphony was the official DJ for Raekwon from 2006 to 2013 and worked with Raekwon's label {{Proper name|Ice H2O Records}} from 2006 to 2010. DJ Symphony also worked with Ghostface Killah on his Wu-Block Tour from 2010 to 2013. Since 2014, DJ Symphony has worked as the official tour DJ for GZA.
= Educator =
DJ Symphony has evolved from being a hip-hop practitioner to becoming a music teacher. His passion for education and hip-hop lead him to create the [https://www.symphonydjacademy.com/en/ Symphony DJ Academy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822151916/https://www.symphonydjacademy.com/en/ |date=2019-08-22 }} at the Solano Town Center in 2013 in Fairfield, California where he teaches deejaying, audio production, podcasting and radio arts. In 2017 he opened Scratch Course, an online DJ program.
Production credits
DJ Symphony started his professional production career in 2006 when he was signed with Raekwon's {{Proper name|Ice H2O Records}} label. The label put out the song "Papito" with JD Era and opened up the door for DJ Symphony to produce for other celebrity artists. Listed below are some of the songs that DJ Symphony has produced, although the list is not exhaustive:
- All the way good - Capone (CNN){{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/singles/id.14977/title.capone-all-the-way-good-prod-dj-symphony|title=Capone - All The Way Good [prod. DJ Symphony]|work=HipHopDX|date=16 May 2011 }}
- Papito[https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/papito-feat-ceazar-reason-jd-era-single/id475368654]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} - Ceazar and Reason featuring JD Era
- Heart of Fire - Raekwon{{cite web|title=Heart of Fire|url=https://hiphopdx.com/author/dx.staff/1427#|website=HipHopDX}}
- The Rock - Cappadonna{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/julius915/the-rock-ft-cappadonna|title=The Rock [ft. Cappadonna]|website=Soundcloud.com}}
- Live Your Fantasy - Portia Dee{{cite web|url=http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/portia-dee-talks-live-your-fantasy-dj-symphony-and-time-on-flavor|title=Portia Dee talks "Live Your Fantasy," DJ Symphony, and time on "Flavor of Love"|website=Thisis50.com|access-date=2017-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704022342/http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/portia-dee-talks-live-your-fantasy-dj-symphony-and-time-on-flavor|archive-date=2015-07-04|url-status=dead}}
- The Water - Hanz On{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Hanz-On-Out-Of-Chefs-Kitchen/release/5780912|title=Hanz On - Out Of Chef's Kitchen|website=Discogs|date=16 March 2010 }}
- W.A.R - Hanz On
- Circle Back - B-Nasty
- Anti Mumble Rap featuring Sadat X & Ceazar
- Real Hip-Hop - Jeru the Damaja, Psycho Les & Sadat X
Discography
{{Main|DJ Symphony discography}}
DJ Symphony's most notable mixtape series was created in 2010 [http://www.datpiff.com/mixtapes-search.php?criteria=dj%20symphony The Certified Crack Mixtape Series] with Raekwon. Overall, the Certified Crack Mixtape Series has had over 1 million downloads.{{cite web|url=http://www.datpiff.com/mixtapes-search.php?criteria=dj+symphony|title=DatPiff :: The Authority in Free Mixtapes|website=DatPiff}} In total, there are 20 Mixtapes in circulation.
;Singles
- 2019: Anti Mumble Rap (featuring Sadat X & Ceazar){{cite web |title=Anti Mumble Rap (feat. Sadat X & Ceazar) - Single by Dj Symphony |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/anti-mumble-rap-feat-sadat-x-ceazar-single/1480496328|via=Apple Music |language=en-us}}
- 2020: Real Hip-Hop (featuring Jeru the Damaja, Psycho Les & Sadat X)
;Mixtapes
- 2010: Certified Crack: Vial 1 (hosted by Raekwon){{cite web|title=DJ Symphony - Certified Crack: Vial 1|url=https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Symphony-Certified-Crack-Vial-1/release/11232118|website=Discogs|date=31 October 2010 |language=en}}
- 2011: Certified Crack: Vial 2 (hosted by Raekwon){{cite web|title=Release group "Certified Crack Vial 2" by DJ Symphony - MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/6ca66404-f142-4d48-9987-9356ce5e89bf|website=musicbrainz.org|language=en}}
- 2011: Certified Crack: Memorial Weekend (hosted by Raekwon){{cite web|title=Release group "Certified Crack: Memorial Weekend" by DJ Symphony - MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/b8825d73-1c08-4eeb-9a84-50d9ea6bb917|website=musicbrainz.org|language=en}}
- 2011: Messy Sheets{{cite web|title=Dj Symphony - Messy Sheets Hosted by Dj Symphony|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Symphony-Messy-Sheets-mixtape.251298.html|website=DatPiff}}
- 2011: Fight For The Carter: Wayne Vs Shawn{{cite web|title=DJ Symphony - Fight For The Carter: Wayne Vs Shawn|url=https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Symphony-Fight-For-The-Carter-Wayne-Vs-Shawn/release/11305506|website=Discogs|date=27 October 2011 |language=en}}
- 2012: 365 Takeova Series: 2-10-12 (hosted by DJ Symphony & DJ Dames Nellas)
- 2012: 365 Takeova Series: 3-16-12 (hosted by DJ Symphony & DJ Dames Nellas)
- 2012: I Love Canada{{cite web|title=DJ Symphony – I Love Canada [Mixtape]|url=http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2012/04/dj-symphony-i-love-canada-mixtape/|website=HipHopCanada.com|date=5 April 2012|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227123902/http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2012/04/dj-symphony-i-love-canada-mixtape/|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=dead}}
- 2012: ''Dipset Vs Wu-Tang
- 2012: I Love America{{cite web|title=DJ Symphony to announce record label and release date for "I Love America"|url=http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2012/06/10/dj-symphony-to-announce-record-label-and-release-date-for-i-love-america/|website=Hip=hopvibe.com|date=10 June 2012}}
- 2012: Certified Crack: Common Vs Drake{{cite web|title=DJ Symphony – Drake Vs. Common [Mixtape]|url=http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2012/01/dj-symphony-presents-drake-vs-common-mixtape/|website=HipHopCanada.com|date=14 January 2012|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122153/http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2012/01/dj-symphony-presents-drake-vs-common-mixtape/|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=dead}}
- 2012: I Am Trayvon Martin{{cite web|title=Various Artists - I Am Trayvon Martin Hosted by Dj Symphony|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Symphony-I-Am-Trayvon-Martin-mixtape.332129.html|website=DatPiff}}
- 2012: Certified Crack: Waka Flocka Vs Wiz Khalifa
- 2012: Certified Crack: MMG Vs YMCMB{{cite web|title=[MIXTAPE] MMG Vs YMCMB - Certified Crack|url=http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/mixtape-mmg-vs-ymcmb-certified-crack-1|website=Thisis50.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122118/http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/mixtape-mmg-vs-ymcmb-certified-crack-1|archive-date=2017-12-27|url-status=dead}}
- 2014: Certified Crack: The Best Of Superwoman (hosted by Lil' Mo){{cite web|title=Lil' Mo to host DJ Symphony's "The Best of Superwoman" mixtape, which drops on Hip Hop Vibe on Halloween Night|url=http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2013/09/26/lil-mo-to-host-dj-symphonys-the-best-of-superwoman-mixtape-which-drops-on-hip-hop-vibe-on-halloween-night/|website=Hip-hopvibe.com|date=26 September 2013}}
- 2018: Wu-Invasion Mixtape Series: Australian Edition Volume 1 (hosted by GZA)
- 2018: Wu-Invasion Mixtape Series: World Edition Volume 1 (hosted by Ghostface Killah)
- 2018: Wu-Invasion Mixtape Series: World Edition Volume 2 (hosted by Ghostface Killah)
- 2019: Wu-Invasion Mixtape Series: Valentines Day Massacre (hosted by Ghostface Killah)
- 2020: Classic Throwback Mixtape Series: Volume 1 (hosted by Faizon Love)
;Guest appearances
- 2010: "The Columbian Necktie" Raekwon (hosted by DJ Symphony){{cite web|title=Raekwon The Chef - The Columbian Necktie Hosted by Dj Symphony|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Raekwon-The-Chef-The-Columbian-Necktie-mixtape.121674.html|website=DatPiff}}
- 2010: "Dead or Alive" The Cartel (hosted by DJ Symphony){{cite web|title=Dj Symphony/The Cartel - Dead Or Alive Hosted by Hosted By Dj Symphony|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-SymphonyThe-Cartel-Dead-Or-Alive-mixtape.176284.html|website=DatPiff}}
- 2011: "Digital Money" Da Tykoon (hosted by DJ Symphony){{cite web|title=Da Tykoon - Digital Money Hosted by Dj Symphony|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Da-Tykoon-Digital-Money-mixtape.297246.html|website=DatPiff}}
- 2011: "The Vault" Nino Graye (hosted by DJ Symphony){{cite web|title=F4E Presents: The Vault Hosted By DJ Symphony by Nino Graye on Apple Music|website=iTunes|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/f4e-presents-the-vault-hosted-by-dj-symphony/id483286379|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232136/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/f4e-presents-the-vault-hosted-by-dj-symphony/id483286379|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 28, 2017|language=en-us|date=5 November 2011}}
Movie scores
DJ Symphony helped create the movie score for the film Omerta (2012){{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780934/|title=Omerta|date=1 February 2011|website=IMDb.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://djsymphony.com Official website]
{{Wu-Tang Clan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Symphony, DJ}}