African American Caribbean Cultural Organization of Essex County
2019 Lineup
Dawud Johnson is a purveyor of deep, soulful house music. When asked what is it about music that he loves, he says, "he just loves good music blends." For him, music is spiritual; it’s a form of therapy. His musical journey began in 1977 playing basement parties. He went on to play at various colleges, halls, and other venues. Over the years, he’s held several resident DJ positions at clubs within the NY/NJ area. He’s currently the Resident DJ at Café Z in Union, NJ.
A very active member of the house music community, Dawud is the founder of Live In the Mix Entertainment – a group he formed to provide a platform for known and unknown DJs to gain more visibility. He’s also the founder of the Hillside Outdoor Music & Entertainment Festival and the co-founder of the NY/NJ Exchange Place House Music Festival. Though he loves playing in nightclubs, festivals and other special events, his love for music go far beyond the spectrum of mixing tunes. As a DJ, producer, and promoter, he has found plenty of ways to express himself musically. His latest venture is The House Brands & Fashion Show where he brings different house brands, i.e., DJs, promoters and dancers together with local fashion designers together to “House the Runway.”
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Dawud Johnson
Today our committee is proud to announce Sir Charles Dixon as one of our live performers at the 9th annual Weequahic House Music Festival.
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Charles "Sir Charles Mixin" Dixon has long been a force behind syndicated mix shows, radio programming, and record promotions and artist development. Not only is he one of the music industry's most unsung pioneers, but he is also one of the most dedicated. With over three decades of experience under his belt, Charles continues doing the daily grind, even working on Sundays because as he puts it plainly, "everyone else is still sleeping.
" As a result of his intense work ethic and infinite drive, Charles is a bonafide triple threat - a successful music exec producer, DJ, and promoter/consultant. The first R&B mixer ever to join Music Choice in 1998, Charles entertained the satellite television channel’s 56 million potential music-starved listeners with The R&B/Hip-Hop Mixtape, his self-produced weekly music series for over 12 years. His Mixtape's blend of R&B and hip-hop has garnered rave reviews from fans around the world.
Sir Charles Dixon
His name is Matthew Howell, to his fans, he is known as DJ Mixmash. At the age of 9, Matthew expressed a deep interest in becoming a DJ/Radio personality. Since then, he has spent countless hours on Saturday nights listening to his favorite radio stations. What impresses everyone the most about DJ Mixmash is his passion for music!! Now at 21yrs old, DJ Mixmash was a guest on WBLS, has performed at the 24hr Fitness Club, Martini Lounge, Old Timers Day with Ted Smooth, Flatteries Pub, Military Park and on 315 Radio.
What makes DJ Mixmash stand out is his rhythm and delivery when mixing 80’s & 90’s House, Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae music. He leaves no genre untouched. Blind since birth, he has adapted to excel in life and music. Mixing regular cd’s and vinyl by touch is no challenge for Mixmash when you have his passion. Just by listening to the range of music he mixes you hear why he is special.
His lifestyle is similar to most young adults, homework, chores and socializing with friends and peers on the phone and social media. Saturday nights and holidays are his favorite times. He goes into his room and makes cd mixtapes all night as if he was on the radio.
DJ MIXmash
Today our committee is proud to announce Viola Sykes as one of our live performers at the 9th annual Weequahic House Music Festival. International Inspirational Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Viola Sykes has been heard worldwide on airways and in dance clubs throughout the
House Music and Gospel Community over the last ten years.
Viola has been blessed to have written and performed what is now considered House Music Classics Hits that continue to fill the dance floor while inspiring new listeners of all ages. Her Deep Soulful Gospel Club Anthems – “Little Girls...Put Your Clothes Back On”, "Call My Name," "My Baby He Loves Me," “He Is Lord” and “Don’t Give Up!” to name a few are sure to Inspire Uplift.
Viola Sykes
Our Committee is proud to announce Adeva performing life on June 22. Born in 1960 in Paterson, New Jersey, Daniels was the youngest of six children. She developed her voice as a member, and later director and vocal coach, of her church choir.[1]She began singing professionally in the mid-1980s, releasing the single "In and Out of My Life" in 1988 on Easy Street Records. Immediately after this, she signed with the UK label Cooltempo (a subsidiary of EMI) later in 1988[1] and released a house reworking of the Aretha Franklin hit "Respect" that reached #17 in the UK.[2] Her debut album Adeva! was released in August 1989, and peaked at #6 on the UK Albums Chart,[2] #28 in Germany,[3] and #14 in Australia.[4] The album was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry[5] for UK sales exceeding 300,000 copies. In addition to "Respect," the album contained several other hit singles including "Warning!" and "I Thank You," both of which also reached #17 in the UK,[2] and "Musical Freedom" which reached #22.[2] The album was released in the United States in 1990 via EMI's Capitol Records, where "Warning!" had become a Top 10 Dance Chart hit.
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Adeva
Today our committee is proud to announce The Basement Boys as one of our live performers at the 9th annual Weequahic House Music Festival. –DJ Spen, Karizma, and Teddy Douglas.
Formed in Baltimore in 1986, the Basement Boys DJ and production collective, including DJ Spen, Karizma, and Teddy Douglas, have been responsible for some of House Music’s most memorable sounds, including their “Strip to the Bone” mix of Crystal Water’s classic, “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and gospel House classics such as “God Helps Those (Who Help Themselves)” and “It’s All right.” Individually and as a collective, they are among House Music’s most sought-after DJs, producers and remixers: in 2017, DJ Spen was named Traxsource’s Soulful House Artist of the Year for his work, including “Think (About It)” with Barbara Tucker.
Also in 2017, Karizma scored an international hit with “Work It Out,“ watch the crowd at the 2017 Chosen Few Picnic , it then went on to be featured in Google Chromebook’s advertising campaign.
Basement Boys Records
Today our committee is proud to announce Jasper Street Company as one of our live performers at the 9th annual Weequahic House Music Festival.
Jasper Street Co. is the premier gospel-oriented house-music group, which has song many hits like Wanna Be Happy, A Feeling, and Legendary hit God Helps Those (who help themselves).
Jasper Street Company
Manhattan New York Native Aaron K. Gray Hails From The Sunshine State Of Delray Beach Florida. At The Early Age Of 5 Aaron Began His Singing Career In Church By Singing Renditions Of Songs By Such Gospel Artist As The Clark Sisters And Andre Crouch. By The Age Of 7 He Was A Lead Singer In The Church Choir.
In 2014 While Singing In A Church Chapel In Manhattan, His Diverse Style And Soulful Vocals Caught The Attention Of DJ/Producer Team Junior White And Noelle Barbara. They Introduced Him To The Legendary DJ/Producer Tony Humphries. The Union Resulted In The Gospel House Hit "Wonder Why" On Tony Records, Aaron's 1st House Release.
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In 2019 Aaron Reunited With Derrick Ricky Nelson For Released "Ride Like The Wind" With A Remix By DJ Beloved On Quantize Records That Hit The Top 20 In 2 Days And Is Still Charting And Another Pair Up With Giulio Bonaccio For "David Dance" With A Remix By ReelSoul On Solstice Music That Hit The Top 20 in 3 Days And Is Still Charting Aswell. At The End Of February There Will Be 1 More Single Titled "Sweetah" With Masaki Morii That Is Highly Anticipated, Then The Album "A Journey Into House" Is Expected To Be Released In The Spring Of 2019.
Aaron K. Gray
DJ Sassi is a New Jersey based House artist whose sound can be described as precise, deliberate, and masterful. She has cultivated and mastered a unique ability to make two songs become one while still maintaining their own identity. DJ Sassi executes her sets with a high level of energy only encompassed by that of a top grade athlete.
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DJ Sassi has been rocking sets from Gay Pride ATL, New York’s Rainbow Fashion Week, Newark Gay Pride, Ibiza, Spain, and has received several festival nods across the country.
DJ Sassi is currently a resident DJ on Dwildmusicradio.com with Dwildmusicradio. Her show The Get Down runs every Monday from 4-6pm. Sassi also can he heard Tuesday nights on WBKS1.com from 7-8:30pm, the OWWHH talk show.
DJ Sassi has her eye on becoming a renowned and respected international DJ communicating with the souls of her audience through creative mixing and Versatility.