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Monday, August 19, 2019

Keep Ya Head Up - Tupac



tempo: 86 bpm

bpm range: 85 bpm to 90 bpm

the dj's take: The leadoff song in 33XL:



Tried to use the filler words he says right after the chorus to set up the transition into Khalid's Location. Kind of fun to have them go 'And uhh... send me your location...' Sounds like what half the websites I visit are asking me these days:


Some other key-compatible tracks:


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Friday, August 16, 2019

Down and Out - Cam'ron ft. Kanye West



tempo: 83 bpm

bpm range: 80 bpm to 85 bpm

the dj's take: Track #7 in our 33XL mix (14:58):



Speaking of being down and out:



Just goes to show that cheaters never win. And winners never cheat.

Some other key-compatible music:


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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Exchange - Bryson Tiller



tempo: 80 bpm

bpm range: 75 bpm to 80 bpm, 80 bpm to 85 bpm

the dj's take: The final song in our 33XL mix (19:17):



Chopped this one up and made a mini-mashup with Always Be My Baby:



This may be the first somewhat interesting loop I've cobbled together - managed to make him sing 'We used to... break it down.' Shoutout to Logic Pro X for helping me become the Korean Pete Rock.

Some other key-compatible tracks:


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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Sunshine - Charlie Heat & Ant Beale



tempo: 75 bpm

bpm range: 70 bpm to 75 bpm, 75 bpm to 80 bpm

the dj's take: Song #6 in our 32XL mix (13:21):



Found this one via youtube / spotify deep dive after hearing Kanye's Facts (Charlie Heat version). I think the hook comes from a Natasha Bedingfield track, right?


Anyway, solid choice for a pool party or a bbq where the people don't mind a little vulgarity in the lyrics.

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Tuesday, August 13, 2019

N.Y. State of Mind - Nas



tempo: 84-85 bpm

bpm range: 80 bpm to 85 bpm, 85 bpm to 90 bpm

the dj's take: Leadoff song in mix #33:



Want to hear something happy and uplifting? Look elsewhere. But if you appreciate classic hiphop, N.Y. State of Mind is required listening. Gritty, hypnotic beat that makes you feel like you're on a subway train to nowhere.

Couldn't quite find a place for it in 33XL (using Logic Pro X makes me pickier), but a throwback dj should find a place for it in his/her rotation.

Try mixing with:


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Monday, August 12, 2019

Can't Take It From Me - Major Lazer ft. Skip Marley



tempo: 72-73 bpm

bpm range: 70 bpm to 75 bpm

the dj's take: Song #8 in episode 29 (21:03):



Track title reminds me of what Boban Marjanovic must've been thinking in this video:



Something to look forward to when you're playing one-on-one with your kid in the driveway.

The vocal-less opening makes this a mix-friendly single; I cut it up and used it again in the transition to Whatcha Say.

Some other key-compatible music:


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Saturday, August 10, 2019

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean



tempo: 100 bpm

bpm range:  95 to 100 bpm, 100 to 105 bpm

the dj's take: Track #6 in our version 31 mix (13:21):



Talk about painting with a broad brush - I found a video that totally disproves the song title:



Curious as to how many aspiring little Lionel Messis have popped a knee or an ankle practicing this. I put the over/under at ~25,000 worldwide.

As for the track, those opening notes are pretty distinctive - worth a spin on a throwback pop night.

Try mixing with:


download or stream Pump It Up:

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Pump It Up - Joe Budden



tempo: 105 bpm

bpm range: 100 to 105 bpm, 105 to 110 bpm

the dj's take: Track #4 in our version 31 mix (6:40):



Song title reminds me of Dee Brown in the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest:



Full disclosure: My mom got me a pair of these in sixth grade. Best gimmick I ever fell for. Apparently Reebok still makes them - this edition reminds me of the vest a school crossing guard would wear.

Some other key-compatible tracks:


download or stream Pump It Up:

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Thursday, August 8, 2019

Grindin' - Clipse



tempo: 96 bpm

bpm range: 95 to 100 bpm

the dj's take: The penultimate track in Triple X (32:53):



Probably the record I spun the most at college parties in 2002-03. Used to pair it a lot with Jay-Z's I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me), and the transition into Kendrick Lamar's ELEMENT. is a highlight.

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Champion - Kanye West



tempo: 102 bpm

bpm range: 100 to 105 bpm

the dj's take: Song #8 in our version 31 mix (17:48):



Kind of a tricky beat to match, especially as you're going back and forth between the sampled hook and the verses. But we made it work somehow - decent transitions in and out.

Try mixing with:


download or stream Champion:

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