THE BAY AREA's FORGOTTEN DJ (DJ Mark7)

THANKS TO DOXX @ STRIVIN.COM

"Before you read let me say that the guy you are going to read about is a friend of mine. While i was growing up back in 1998 in Vallejo this persons name was always in Bay area hip hop conversations. Not only was this man a great producer/Dj, he was just a all round great musician and brought alot to the table when it came to BAY AREA hip hop". - Indecent the Slapmaster

About DJ Mark 7

The roles of a drummer, DJ and producer are very similar as they are all essentially the backbone of a larger body. Drummers dictate the pace of songs and keep fellow band members on time. DJ’s and producers perform a similar function when providing the backdrop for a rapper’s vocals. While most so-called “producers” can’t actually play an instrument, DJ Mark 7 (originally known as DJ Kaos) has been playing the drums since the age of nine. This early passion for drumming provided him with an understanding of how music is created as well as a keen ear for song structure. With that background, and a love for all things hip hop (note that DJ Mark 7 has been a member of the Universal Zulu Nation since he was sixteen), it was only natural for him to branch off into DJ’ing and production.

Inspired by Q-Bert, Jazzy Jim, Glenn Aure and Terminator X among others, a thirteen year old DJ Mark 7 began experimenting with turntables and, after only a few years of practice, began DJ’ing at local clubs and for the artist ICM. In 1993, ICM, backed by DJ Mark 7, opened up for Bay Area heavyweights RBL Posse and 51.50. No small accomplishment for a fifteen year old high school student. Not satisfied with just DJ’ing clubs and shows, Mark obtained a broadcasters license that same year which made him one of the youngest people in California to do so. This led to his own hip hop radio show on a small Northern California station and, in later years, to DJ’ing on Wild 94.9, one of the largest urban stations in the state.

During those same formative DJ’ing years, Mark also began dabbling with the production side of things with early influences being Pete Rock, Khayree, Dr. Dre, Mike Mosley, Johnny Z, Roger & Zapp, Premier and DJ Quik among others. It started off simply enough… in his bedroom on a four-track which, even then, wasn’t the most sought after production tool. With understanding and supportive parents who didn’t mind the racket or the constant stream of local artists and friends, DJ Mark 7 began crafting his own vision of “mobb music” (the most popular production style in the Bay Area) and Repeat Offender Productions was born on Dutton Avenue in Roseland (a section of Santa Rosa, CA).

In 1995, at seventeen, he got his first placement on a commercially released project when four of his tracks were placed on the Keep It Comin’ album by friends, and fellow Santa Rosa residents, Tha Funxsouljaz. Shortly after that, he produced and released the very first North Bay compilation, “Str8 No Chasa”. Even with limited resources, the “Mack of the Four-Track” created incredible songs and in the years since its release, Str8 No Chasa has become a highly sought after item among Bay Area hip hop collectors.

His early production work honed his skills and, in later years, led to him producing tracks featuring some of the Bay’s brightest stars including N2Deep, Baby Bash, 11/5, Cougnut, JT The Bigga Figga, Dubee, Young “D” Boyz, Coolio, Young Dru, Mars, 51.50, The Link Crew, Baldhead Rick of UNLV, ADR LaVey, Cellski and many more. But even with production credits on over twenty albums, DJ Mark 7 has maintained a relatively low profile among Bay Area producers, mostly because he prefers quality over quantity. Rather than slinging tracks to every rapper or label that approaches him, Mark instead opts to be selective with who he works with. This approach has allowed him to never sacrifice quality for a quick buck and has kept his discography free of throwaway tracks.

Currently, DJ Mark 7 is back in the Bay Area (after a couple of years in Las Vegas) continuing his involvement in the hip hop world that he loves by DJ’ing release parties and one-night club gigs as well as doing his weekly “30 Minute Bay Mixes” for Siccness.net. He’s also throwing his production hat back in the ring by contributing tracks to a variety of both established and new artist projects.