Turntablist and producer DJ Fresh crafts laid-back, bass-heavy soundscapes that feature inspired sampling and hypnotic loops. Born in Baltimore, the young Marqus Brown started spinning at the age of nine, influenced by soul, hip-hop, and jazz. He moved to California with his mother and two brothers, who also DJ'ed (the trio, dubbed 12" Assassins, would later perform together around town). Fresh built his own audience by spinning at local shows that featured national acts like Common and Nas. In 2006 he kicked off his The Tonite Show series, which grew to include dozens of volumes, featuring guests like Freddie Gibbs, J. Stalin, Yukmouth, E-40, Raekwon, Trae tha Truth, Keak da Sneak, and more. In 2008 he debuted another series, dubbed Make the Song Cry, which expanded to almost a dozen volumes. In addition to his own beat tapes, Fresh produced works for other artists, including frequent collaborators J. Stalin and Philthy Rich. ~ Neil Z. Yeung