Gregory Joseph Keltgen, better known by his stage name DJ Abilities, is an American underground hip hop producer and DJ signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment who is based in Minneapolis.[2][3] He is a founding member of Eyedea & Abilities alongside Eyedea, and Semi.Official alongside I Self Devine.[4][5] DJ Abilities is a member of 1200 Hobos and was also a member of Atmosphere at one point. He has won two regional DJ championships for the Midwest region.
DJ Abilities | |
|---|---|
 DJ Abilities performing in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gregory Joseph Keltgen[1] |
| Born | October 22, 1979 |
| Origin | Albuquerque, New Mexico United States |
| Genres | Alternative hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, DJ |
| Instrument(s) | Turntables MPC, Synths |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Rhymesayers Entertainment |
| Formerly of | Eyedea & Abilities |
| Website | djabilities |
Career
editDJ Abilities released First Born, a debut album with the rapper Eyedea as Eyedea & Abilities, in 2001.[6] He handled the turntable work on El-P's 2002 solo debut album Fantastic Damage.[7] Two more collaborative albums with Eyedea, E&A (2004) and By the Throat (2009), were both released on Rhymesayers Entertainment.[8][9][10]
Eyedea & Abilities has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[11] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[12] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[13]
DJ Abilities won the Midwest regionals in the 1999 and 2001 DMC World DJ Championships. City Pages noted that he and Eyedea for their ability to interact in live on stage performances, as well as on record.[14]
Discography
editDJ mixes
edit- Finally (1997, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
- ...For Persons with DJ Abilities (2000, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
- Now! That's What I Call Fuck Off (2012, self-released)
- The Blends (2014, self-released)
Productions
edit- Deep Puddle Dynamics - "Deep Puddle Theme Song", "Thought vs. Action" and "Where the Wild Things Are" from The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel? (1999) All E&A albums.
Guest appearances
edit- Rusty Ps - "All I Have" from Out of Many (2001)
- Unknown Prophets - "The Wrong Route" from World Premier (2001)
- El-P - Fantastic Damage (2002)
- Mr. Lif - "Return of the B-Boy" from I Phantom (2002)
- One Be Lo - L.A.B.O.R. (2011)
- Killer Mike - "Go!" from R.A.P. Music (2012)
- Seez Mics - "Post Pathic Profiteers" from Cruel Fuel (2014)
- One Be Lo - Baby (Being a black youth) (2020)
References
edit- ^ "BIG SHOTS". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ Scholtes, Peter S. (September 12, 2001). "What's the Big Eyedea?". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
- ^ Schell, Justin (2010). "From St. Paul to Minneapolis, All the Hands Clap for This: Hip Hop in the Twin Cities". In Hess, Mickey (ed.). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 378–379.
- ^ Scholtes, Peter S. (September 7, 2009). "Abilities talks turntablism's bright future". The A.V. Club.
- ^ Crusah (January 1, 2004). "Semi.Official - The Anti Album". HipHopDX.
- ^ Wolfman (December 14, 2006). "Eyedea and Abilities - E&A". Tiny Mix Tapes.
- ^ Youssef, Sobhi (January 12, 2009). "Review: El-P - Fantastic Damage". Sputnikmusic.
- ^ Kricke, Dan (January 11, 2005). "Eyedea & Abilities - E&A". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ Dameron, Emerson (August 27, 2009). "Eyedea & Abilities - By the Throat". Dusted Magazine.
- ^ Li, Christina (August 8, 2012). "DJ Q&A: DJ Abilities". SF Station. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ Bream, Jon (2019-05-03). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ Marsh, Steve (2019-05-13). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (January 6, 2009). "Ready, Willing, and Able: Ego trippin' with the hardest-working hip-hop DJ in town". City Pages. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
External links
edit- Official website
- DJ Abilities on Rhymesayers Entertainment
- DJ Abilities on SoundCloud
- DJ Abilities discography at Discogs