DJ Aqbt (pronounced Aquabeat) is a veteran of the NYC house music scene with over 20 years  behind the turntables. The 1st born son of Haitian immigrants and growing up in a very  Christian home in the predominantly West Indian neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Flatbush,  Brooklyn did not offer the exposure to the music of the 70′s & 80′s that his peers were  enjoying. Thank goodness for grade school.

Hip Hop was in its infancy but perhaps in its most creative stage. The attraction to  electronic music & dancing began there with Afrika Bambatta and the Zulu Nation (Soul Sonic  Force). This led the way to Kraftwerk and the Art of Noise and a sound distinctly digital  but nonetheless soulful. Introduced to House music culture at the impressionable age of 15  by Richard “Earthman” Laurent; producer and band leader of groundbreaking House Music bands,  Moun Fou and Kraze, (I Say Shut Up & The Party) it didn’t take long for him to dive head 1st  into the excitement and energy of house music dancing and the night life. Soon thereafter  began a tireless search for the originals of the Hip Hop samples and the latest house  tracks.

His music collection was already impressive before he ever stepped behind a set. Turntables  left in his care by another friend opened the door to the world on the other side of the  dancefloor; the dj. Mixing for his friends the so called “b-sides,” jazz, soul, new age and  world music they never heard out; he began making tapes for them to work on their dance  moves. These music/dance workouts became known as GetOpen Sessions. He states, “Not having  the musical background as everyone else was a blessing in disguise. I didn’t have any  preferences based on my parents’ influence. I discovered all music at the same time. My  father was a musician and had me in guitar lessons early on so that also opened my mind and  developed my ear and tastes for dynamic compositions.  When I started looking for and  finding music, it was an all in all encompassing mission.”  These influences contribute to  his production style and sound.

Playing & mixing a soulful blend of deep electronic and cultural dance rhythms he’s fast  becoming known for his technical approach, thoughtful selection and fuel injected sets. “I  want to play the joints and deep sound that hit you where you feel it before you hear it.  Tracks that you may know on a personal level but you never expect to hear out and the one’s  you do interpreted in a way you never expect…and its got to be deep.” Isn’t that what it’s  all about?