DJ Shogun, currently holding things down at Harlem’s famed new venue, Harlem Lanes, has continued in his quest to edu-tain the masses with his brand of mix-tape compilations. From classic Hip Hop to major music messaging, every CD he compiles educates, if you pay attention.

DJ Shogun, a four-time Justo Mixtape Award nominee, has blessed many a NYC venue including Saturday nights at Le Bar Bat, Cheetah on Wednesday nights, and Thursdays at Jamroc. At these local popular spots he was able to groom himself as a brand; a rare effort on behalf of DJ’s not aligned with media outlets. “I saw myself establishing a rapport wherever I worked, and I noticed the support from one venue to the next. I realized that I didn’t have to be a radio personality to consolidate my efforts or my craft,” says Shogun explaining his enterprising move. He would then, as an atypical show of the entrepreneurial spirit, brand his name and begin to expand on his signature sound. He would soon bless major events in the party circuit such as DJ Clue’s Celebrity Birthday Bash and Funk Master Flexx’s Album Release, a great ‘get’ in this massively competitive market. His nods came more substantially as he would then spin throughout the continental U.S. at key events in the urban market for the likes of Sean P-Diddy Combs, HBO, and BET. His next turn would add a stamp of distinction as he joined forces with British-settler DJ Driis turned famed star of film and television, Idris Elba for a fusion unlike none other to form Headshell LTD. “Usually there is one focal presence at the tables, now there’s two,” says Shogun. “The beauty is that both could stand alone, so together, it’s a whole different thing, visually and conceptually.”

DJ Shogun’s current mixtape compilations include back by popular demand, Blendman Return’s a sequel that includes music from Akon, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Omarion, Lloyd, etc. with new artists Nirvana, Savoury and Gray on deck as well as creative contributions from DJ Driis on three tracks. The two remaining releases include, Hip Hop Honors 2, a musical response to the VH-1 Hip Hop Honors and the politically charged 50 Shots, a much talked about collection of classic Hip Hop expressions against nationwide social injustices.

Shogun’s near scientific knowledge of  records, profound love of  Hip Hop and his innovative delivery give relevance to an invaluable lifestyle looked upon by many as reckless.