Words by Alicia Pei Wen Kang<\/b><\/p>\n

Mixing the latest hip-hop hits with decade-old equipment isn\u2019t the most common method in the modern era, but DJ DM Wright makes it look easy. The 26-year-old carries a passion for seeking out tunes of any genre, though he especially craves new tracks in his chosen style: hip-hop. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wright owns an impressive, expanding collection of more than 350 vinyl records. \u201cIt keeps me open to new and different music I\u2019ve never considered before,\u201d Wright says. But the records are more than just a hobby. Wright sustains his music production by <\/span>sampling<\/span><\/a> parts of tracks on those records and editing them with an older sampling \u00a0machine, an MPC 1000. \u201cI don\u2019t really use software. [The MPC] has a lot of possibilities if you really master how to use it, and I still want to fully utilize its potential.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>MPC 1000<\/span><\/a> is a 64-track sampler\/sequencer and is often used by DJs to create beats for their tracks. This old-school approach still enables DJs to create professional quality beats, including advanced sample editing, sequencing, effects, drum kit building, chopping, multisampling and program editing.<\/span><\/p>\n[aesop_parallax img=”http:\/\/urban-plains.com\/2016\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/DJ-DM-Wrights-pride-joy-his-MPC1000-used-to-create-beats.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”Instead of software, which is more common with DJs nowadays, Wright uses an MPC 1000 sampler\/sequencer to create his tracks. Photo by Alicia Pei Wen Kang.” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”off” floater=”off” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]\n

Many DJs in the field use other variations to create beats like the <\/span>Maschine<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Ableton<\/span><\/a>, which have a newer touch and feel. These new machines require less effort compared to the old-school MPC 1000 because the software includes more presets. Working the MPC 1000 may be a little challenging for many individuals, but Wright appreciates the quality that the equipment is able to produce.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I tell people that I make beats, they ask what program I use. And I don\u2019t use programs besides the MPC 1000, which is kind of just an all-in one thing that I have along with my turntables and my record collections\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But his passion didn\u2019t begin with vinyl or the MPC 1000. It began on wheels. \u201cSkateboarding introduced me to hip-hop about 15 years ago — skate videos and video game soundtracks particularly,\u201d Wright says. \u201cIt helps me listen better to the message behind the music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skateboarding combined with his love for dancing to give Wright all the tools he needed to be a successful DJ. Eight years of breakdancing and popping — a quick, jerky type of street dance — helps Wright create music that makes people groove. \u201cWhen I make something, I want people to move to it. I want people to dance to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former T-Pain world tour dancer doesn\u2019t identify himself solely a hip-hop producer. \u201cI like playing any good stuff regardless of their ages. When I\u2019m producing music, I don\u2019t like to limit myself to a set genre. I just want [my music] to make my listeners dance. That\u2019s what motivates me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright currently co-hosts with local artists at a monthly hip-hop event, \u201c<\/span>Freshen Up<\/span><\/a>\u201d with the Des Moines Social Club, and he\u2019s scheduled to DJ in a number of break-dancing competitions and hip-hop celebrations in Des Moines. When asked about his future plans, Wright says \u00a0he would like to become a resident DJ at a few local nightspots and continue pushing the unique style the local scene has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know [other DJs] try to travel to another city to get started, but I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a need. It\u2019s really been growing so much here within the last few years and I see so much potential in our local artists,\u201d Wright says, \u201cWe just need to let people know that we\u2019re more than another Midwestern city.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DJ DM Wright takes modern hip-hop and gives it an old-school twist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[475,471,472,452,166,473,333,474],"yoast_head":"\n