In this Still Watching piece, 1200Squads’s Guy was fortunate enough to follow one of the games hardest working DJ’s as he drove from San Francisco to Fresno for the Fresno Winter Jam concert and the Young California official after party. The definition of a “Go Getter”, DJ Amen is a key player in the merging of California’s Hip-Hop music scene, bridging the gaps by building the Young California brand. This is 1200squad Still Watching: DJ Amen. –1200 Squad [more…]

“I got my first pair of turntables when I was 14 or 15. I’m 30 now, so I have been doin this for half my life.”

“I was never afraid to just hop in the car and go somewhere like Fresno to get work done. That’s how Young California started. I would drive to find out who the next or most ambitious DJ was going to be in each market of California. I approached each of them about bridging the gaps and shortening the translation time between our areas as one team. As the team would grow so would each of us and our individual influence in our markets.”

“Young California the name came from a mix tape by IAMSU!”

“I wasn’t the best student when I was younger. I had to finish high school in a group home and then went to a local junior college where I took a radio broadcast class. For one of the class projects I did a mix show and the professor didn’t like my more “urban” approach and failed me. I fought and took the issue to the top people at the school. They overturned his decision at the same time I got plugged with Hot 98.7 which was the first local Hip-Hop station where I’m from.”

”When I was 20 I started a company called Noize Makers with my cousins and some close friends. We found a street team of college kids in the North Bay Area that had aspirations for the business and we would pack the local venues out. We were just kids throwing parties and concerts.”

“At around 21 or 22 I was getting sponsors to get into these retreats where all the top DJs would be. That’s where I met Big Von and the DJ’s from 106 KMEL.”

”I eventually got fired from Hot 98.7 because of my aggressive approach to radio. I wanted to compete with KMEL.”

“I was at a club with Box Kev when Big Von came to me and asked how the gig at 98.7 was going and I told him that I got fired. He made something happen for me at 106 and I got brought in to mix with Kev on the weekends.”

“Eventually Box Kev left and I got linked with DC. We do the ‘Damn It’s Late’ show Friday nights at 2am, but my everyday is dedicated to the overall growth of Young California, KMEL and the DJ Amen brand.”

“I do trip when I hear people talk about Young California because it’s in my head, that’s where it started and now I know it’s in theirs.”

“As long as you keep working then it’s gonna come to you. If you put it out there it’s going to come back to you.”

“I’ve always been into branding and marketing. It’s important to understand how to get a product or an idea effectively to the consumer.”

“Whoever is the most passionate wins”