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| DJ Fingaz / Courtesy of DJ Fingaz |
By Jon Dunbar
The globally renowned DJ Fingaz is coming to Seoul this Saturday, bringing his open-format mix seamlessly blending everything from hip-hop and dirty trap beats to reggae and classic rock, to Lit Lounge in Itaewon.
Born and raised in Detroit and San Diego, DJ Fingaz has been a full-time DJ and music producer for over 25 years.
He recalls scratching records on turntables in his room back around 1992, when a guy he knew said "Go fingers, go fingers!"
"So I said to myself, 'Hey that sounds like a dope DJ name'," he told The Korea Times. "But I wanted to make it cooler and so I spelled it Fingaz."
Since then, he's shared stages with industry giants such as Xzibit, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Common, Will Smith, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots and KRS-1.
His reputation precedes him as a DJ committed to "Good Music, No Gimmicks."
"A gimmick would be my boobs out, or some type of animal mask or a space suit or clown outfit when I'm DJing. Have you seen my promo photo? I'm quite handsome, don't need that," he explained to The Korea Times with a laugh. "Any DJ can just play the hits but can you do something that makes them say 'Oh damn he played that!'"
Fingaz is no stranger to international travel, with an international following in over 250 cities in 60 countries around the world.
"Playing in so many countries has made me a way better DJ," he said. "I am very lucky to have played in over 60 countries and DJed alongside some really big names for sure."
It might come as a surprise that someone who's played with some of the industry's biggest names is still interested in playing smaller venues in parts of the world where the scene isn't quite as big.
"As far as all the big clubs, I've been there and done that many times over!" he said. "I'm at a whole other level in life and really not a fan of the industry and all that over-hyped big club stuff anymore. I just like to be around real people that just want to have fun and enjoy the vibe."
Fingaz brings a camera or video camera with him wherever he goes, and his two creative passions affect each other in various ways.
"It's like my therapy sometimes and I just love creating ― it all meshes together from the music to the visuals," he said. "I love collecting memories and again the connection with people in the streets when I take photos."
He only has one DJ engagement on this visit to Seoul, with plans to spend the rest of the time "exploring the city taking some photos, eating and shopping."
But he promises a good time and a great vibe for everyone who shows up this Saturday at Lit Lounge.
"I'm always looking forward to meeting and vibing with new people in other countries," he said. "I really like to just do my thing and be different with what I play and how I DJ, just make people remember something about it or maybe hate it … but I hope it's all love."
He's finally making it to do a gig in Korea after eight years of contact with Pinnacle TheHustler, the proprietor of Lit Lounge.
"I have a longstanding relationship with my man Pinnacle and always recognized and supported his grind there, so we always stayed in contact," Fingaz said. "So many years ago I went to visit him and check out the scene. We always talked about me coming to rock out with him at his new spot."
Tickets cost 10,000 won. Visit planethustle.com/litlounge for more information or follow @fingkong on Instagram to learn more about DJ Fingaz.
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