DJ DreGhost is one of the original innovators of rap music. He started as a DJ in 1979, and soon after; he became known for keeping every club or function packed from South Central LA to Hollywood CA. In the early 1980s, he began producing Hip Hop music. His early influences came from such artists as, Earth Wind N Fire, Rolling Stones, Parliament Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix.
DJ DreGhost’s first major project came when he co-produced East 1999 for Bone Thugs N Harmony. The album East 1999 broke The Beatles’ 30-year record for the longest-standing #1 album and won a Grammy Award. DJ DreGhosts’ production of their single The Cross Roads sold over 2 million units, propelling Bone Thugs N Harmony to supergroup status. The album sold over 7 million copies, changing the sound of Hip Hop forever.
DJ DreGhost went on to produce hits for The Wu-Tang Clan, Mac 10, (along with DJ U-Neek) and has collaborated with many hot rappers in the Los Angeles area throughout his career. His music has appeared in the movie Barber Shop and is used often by major network television programs. Fox, MTV, VH1, and ESPN have all used DreGhost’s music in their programs and/or commercials.
DreGhost also produced Ghost in the Machine, an audio sample library for BigFish Audio, Beats from Beyond for M-Audio, and the Chronic Music/LA Riot collection. Countless rappers and Hip Hop producers have used DreGhost’s sound clips to produce their own tracks and records.
DJ DreGhost has broadened his realm of music by collaborating with such names as Joey Maramba, David J, John Kirby, Peter Atanasoff, Petra Haden, Dave (Rainman) Banta, Tim (DJ U-Neek) Middleton, Chris Flores, Cedric the Entertainer, Paul Cantelon and Lee Cantelon, author of the book The Words. He is supported by many top corporate sponsors including Steinberg, makers of Cubase, and M-Audio just to name a few.
Today DJ DreGhost gives back to the community by volunteering at various schools in Southern California teaching the youth how to perfect their creative skills in many genres of music as well as helping them boost their confidence and self-esteem. This volunteering effort has inspired DreGhost and his wife, Shasta, to start their own program called HOME, Helping Others through Music Experience.