One of the people we got to know through the Funk is DJ Prestige, founder and heart of Flea Market Funk. Based in Jersey City, NJ USA has made his mark not only in Cyberspace through his source for Funk inspiration (which regularly features Our releases and one excellent review of Our first decade in Funk) but also regularly spins his plastic in several residencies. Listen to his mix and read his contribution to Our “DJs you should know” series.
Which style / genre do you mostly play:
Music that is funky and soulful. Music you can feel.
Residency (current or previous):
Ace Hotel (NYC), Friends and Lovers (Crown Heights, Brooklyn), Antique Bar & Bakery (Hoboken), The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park)
DJ gig farthest away from your home:
I’ve played all over the United States and Canada, looking forward to doing some UK dates this year.
Most memorable DJ gig and why?
There have been a few. Opening up for Bad Brains about 10+ years ago with a heavy funk and reggae set and having Dr. Know pull me aside after the set, telling me I need to make him some mixtapes. Also, my monthly party in Brooklyn w/ Monk One called Shake! Is another one. We play classic NYC dance records and pay tribute to legendary spots like David Mancuso’s Loft parties and Larry Levan sets at The Paradise Garage. It’s all on 45 and we go three for three all night. The vibes and people are incredible. We even have some old heads that have come in with Paradise Garage member cards tell us how much they enjoy the night. What a memorable feeling to touch people through our music.
Since when have you been a DJ?
I started on college radio in ‘92 (WLFR) and cut my teeth in bad Jersey Shore bars until about ‘97 when I got serious about it. Took digging seriously and forged my own sound. Haven’t looked back since.
What was your first ever record?
My first ever record was given to me by a friend of the family. The Rolling Stones “England’s Newest Hitmakers”.
Favourite record of all times and why:
Tough question, there are so many. I can’t just pick one, but I do revisit King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown, De La Soul “Stakes Is High”, and Dilla “Donuts” often.
Record that surprised you most and why:
“Awaken My Love” by Childish Gambino. I was not really a fan of his hip hop stuff and don’t really dig much new commercial hip hop coming out. I never gave him a chance and was dead wrong. I really think that this funk/ soul/ R & B record is really brilliant. My six year old loves the track “Redbone”, so we listen to a few cuts in the car, with Dad editing it on the fly while I’m driving. The chorus is def NSFW, so we’ve changed it to ‘neighbors creepin’. Now I am a Donald Glover fan.
Record you usually play at all your DJ gigs:
Edwin Starr: Easin’ In
Vinyl or other media:
Vinyl as much as I can, but not shy to rock Serato.
Favourite club to play at:
Friends and Lovers, Brooklyn/ Ace Hotel New York
Your favourite DJ:
DJ Nu-Mark, Keb Darge, DJ Koko
Band / Musician you strongly recommend everyone should listen to:
I invite everyone to explore the Colemine Records discography. Impressed by the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio as well as anything Damu The Fudgemunk or Kamasi Washington puts out. Medline’s “Solstice” is amazing. I could go on…..
