.Best Old-School Club DJ

Joe Quixx

When it comes to DJs, Joe Quixx, aka the “Latin Soul Brother,” is like Yoda, a master of records with Jedi-like abilities on the decks, an encyclopedic knowledge of music, and a record collection to match. In fact, it’s quite possible that the song “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” referred to Quixx. As the original mixmaster for the world famous Wake-Up Show (when it was produced locally at SF’s KMEL), Quixx cut his teeth on what’s now referred to as Golden Age hip-hop. Currently, Quixx plays the Master Splinter role (wise old sensei of the turntables) in the Oakland Faders crew, in addition to holding down weekly residencies at such East Bay nightspots as Radio, the Easy Lounge, and Kitty’s. Quixx’s sets are like mini history lessons. You’re just as likely to hear semi-obscure, but classic, songs by Cypress Hill, Lords of the Underground, or Twilight 22 as newer material by E-40 or Too $hort. But Quixx doesn’t stop there; his selection can easily veer into rock territory, with Black Sabbath or AC/DC, or segue into Latin cumbia, salsa, and mariachi. The one concession Quixx has made to modern times is his adoption of the Serato Scratch vinyl emulation software, which he says has made gigging much easier, since he no longer has to tote multiple crates of records to clubs. But while many Serato users just play tracks, Quixx will often extend musical breaks and phrases — just like he would on vinyl. As a result, you’re not only guaranteed to hear records you haven’t heard in a while, but you’ll hear them in true old-school hip-hop breakbeat fashion. He’s like an interactive jukebox, except with scratching. When Quixx is on the mix, you’re sure to say, goddamn, that DJ made my day! Or night, as the case may be.

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