DJ Ras J

DJ Ras J ★ Spinning roots vinyl since 1989 ★ Vintage reggae & dub selector based in Chapel Hill, NC. Real name: James A. Franklin St., Chapel Hill). Huge vinyl fan.

Hailing from a small town in northwestern Connecticut, DJ Ras J launched his first radio program on WECS 90.1 FM at Eastern Connecticut University in 1989. His groundbreaking show ‘Ewadjo’ included roots reggae, psychedelic rock, hip hop, in-studio dub mixes, and a live freestyle session, one of the first in the country. It was during college that he first djed in front of a crowd, opening for the

Wailers in 1992. After graduating, he went on to work as an intern at the legendary Cold Chillin' Records, as a roadie for dancehall legend Super Cat, as a road manager for the Now Born Click, and promoted the Bambu Nation party series in NYC. He also worked on marketing projects for Buju Banton, Red Fox, Tony Rebel, Born Jamericans, Patra, and Jimmy Cliff. Ras J eventually found his way back to the turntables in 2002 in North Carolina, opening a sold-out show for Buju Banton at the legendary Cat's Cradle. Since then, he has gone on to open for Lee Scratch Perry, Steel Pulse, Culture, T***s & the Maytals, Capelton, Half Pint, the Budos Band, and many more. His decade-long residency SIMMER DOWN: Roots & Culture Reggae Revival, launched in 2008, foreshadowed the current global vinyl renaissance. He performed at Moogfest and opened for Grammy winners Black Uhuru in 2016, at the Chesapeake Bay Reggae Fest in 2017 & 2018, and at the 420 Festival in Raleigh in 2019. Ras J made his first motion picture cameo in "The Herb Train" on Amazon Prime in 2020. In 2021, Ras J opened for Khruangbin at the Band Together Festival and performed with Genesis Owusu at Motorco in 2022. This past summer, Ras J hosted at month-long residency at Boxyard, RTP in Durham. He currently spins at local sessions with the Triangle Soul Society and The Vinyl Exchange, and also co-hosts the Grassroots Vinyl Lounge at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival. One love, vinyl & unity.

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February 2011 DJ Profile in Yes! Weekly
http://www.yesweekly.com/triad/article-11508-triad-dj-profile.html

Free Roots Download:
http://www.mixcrate.com/djrasj/ital-session--74057

DJ handle: DJ Ras J

What it means: Ras as in Rasta, just a nickname from college. McGurk

What I play: A bit of a hacker guitarist, from the turntables I spin mostly vintage roots reggae vinyl. Upcoming shows: Opening for the Budos Band at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro Feb. 20. My monthly residency is “Simmer Down: Roots & Culture Reggae Revival” every fourth Saturday at Talulla’s (456 W. Got in the game: 1989 at WECS 90.1 FM in Willimantic, Connecticut. Why I do it: I was always into music and made a lot of mixtapes as a kid. In college I hosted a pretty popular radio show, which led to many connections in the industry. After that I worked in the music business in NYC until 1995 and eventually moved down here in 1997 and worked in commercial radio and for Redeye Distribution. There just wasn’t a very strong roots reggae scene in the area, so I created a party where folks could hear music from Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Alton Ellis, Jacob Miller and other foundation artists. Music has the power to uplift and unite people. Influences: I’m all over the place musically, from Jimi Hendrix to Thievery Corporation to old jazz and soul records. I was a roadie for Super Cat and Wild Apache and also an intern at Cold Chillin’ Records back in the day. As a DJ, I draw inspiration from all my local DJ friends, as well as legendary cats like David Rodigan and Afrika Bambaataa. First pro gig: Opened up for the Wailers when I was in college at Eastern Connecticut State University. Studio work: Just a few mix cds over the years, the best selling one being Ital Session from 2009. My style: I like to create a classic 1970s sound-system vibe, burn incense and build up the positive energy. Personal playlist: Lots of vintage reggae, classic rock, jazz, blues and electronic stuff. Favorite albums: Bi***es Brew by Miles Davis, Super Cat’s Don Dada, BDP’s Criminal Minded and Muddy Waters’ Electric Mud. My gear: Technics 1200 MKII turntables, Shure M44-7 Jico 2s, Roland Space Echo, Ecler Nuo 4 Mixer, Custom dub siren, SM58 mic. Website: reverbnation.com/djrasj and facebook.com/djrasj

I’d like to add: Just played an incredible gig at Patty Boom Boom in Washington DC last week with DJ J-Bone. I really love all the live music in this area and the community of local musicians, artists and DJs. It is a blessing to be able to be exposed to so much great music. I bring greetings of peace & love to one and all.

30/10/2024

🫡

I first met DJ Clark Kent in 1992 when I moved to New York City at a party at Nell’s on 14th St. I would see him off and...
26/10/2024

I first met DJ Clark Kent in 1992 when I moved to New York City at a party at Nell’s on 14th St. I would see him off and on for the next 3-4 years, getting a dap and checking in with a power fist as his career took off, but he was always down to earth and chill. His biggest influence on me as a dj was how he always talked about taking the crowd on a journey. It didn’t matter to him if you had the toughest scratches or best blends, it was all about vibes and tune selection. Over the years, he became a legendary figure in the hip-hop community, and he deserved it. Take your rest brother, your legacy is secure. ✊

Definitely have a lot of amazing memories from various Dead shows over the years! Thanks for all the good times, Phil. 💜...
26/10/2024

Definitely have a lot of amazing memories from various Dead shows over the years! Thanks for all the good times, Phil. 💜☮️

25/10/2024

Hate that I missed this one! Looking forward to the next booking. Lords had several beats that were murder!! Cool cats too, we did a show with Super Cat and them at Shaw way back in the day.

Early 90s NYC. My idren Shawnie Ranks! I was never one for lover songs like this, but this was one of the first projects...
21/10/2024

Early 90s NYC. My idren Shawnie Ranks! I was never one for lover songs like this, but this was one of the first projects that I worked promotions for on at Rude Boy Records/Atlantic. Shout out to my man Flippa, RIP.

Shawnie Ranx performing Getting it on.

18/10/2024

Alright Cats & Kittens, we’ve got a real hip shakin’, sock hoppin’, H***y-Tonkin’ type of thang a going down!

has partnered up with one of the best dive bars around to bring you Kudzoo Boogaloo!

I can’t wait to bring you a blend of Souldies, H***y Tonk, Boogaloo, Country boogie, Rockabilly and R&B with a touch of D&B to

Featuring an all-vinyl set by your host with the most, your neighborhood flavor purveyor, the dusty donut digger and Gentleman DiscJockey, (DJ Rhymic)
We’d like to invite you down to help us set the vibe with an Open Decks situation from 6-7:30pm. Help us kick this thing off and bring about fifteen minutes worth of vinyl that fits the theme. Slots to be filled on a first come first serve basis. Sign in when you get there.

It’s Halloween season so it’s a good excuse to come dressed to theme. Break out that and leather jackets or your cowboy boots and Stetson.
Gitty up! Come Shake-a-leg!

18/10/2024

TOMORROW NIGHT! SOUNDS OF BRAZIL - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 @ MOTORCO

GET TIX @ motorcomusic.com/sounds-of-brazil

Get ready to groove to the beats of Brazil at Sounds of Brazil! Dive into the soulful and energetic tunes of Choro by Canta, Violino! and the electrifying rhythms of Axé music by Caíque Vidal. Join us for a night filled with music that celebrates Brazil’s diverse musical heritage – it’s going to be an unforgettable experience!

About artists:

Canta, Violino!
Canta, Violino! is an instrumental Brazilian trio featuring original music influenced by Brazilian choro and samba. The trio brings together several award-winning musicians: U.S. violinist Andrew Finn Magill, Brazilian percussionist Clarice Cast and Brazilian guitarist Cesar Garabini.

Caíque Vidal & Batuque
Caique Vidal (ka-EE-kee vee-DAHL) faithfully shares the Afro-Brazilian traditions of his Bahia birthplace. He is an educator and community organizer for the Brazilian diaspora in North Carolina. On his most recent album “Save My Heart”, Caique Vidal & Batuque fuse the sounds of samba, reggae, salsa, pop, rock and Bossa Nova into riveting dance grooves.

18/10/2024

Join us on Sunday, November 10th, for the last Carrboro Bazaar of the season, our Holiday Bazaar! Shop handmade creations from 30+ local makers & enjoy eats & drinks from Ta Contento & Carrboro Coffee Roasters! Get body art & fairy hair from Sparkle Body Arts, and hoop to the global grooves of DJ Ras J!

The Bazaar is from 12-5 on the Carrboro Commons (301 W. Main St), is family-friendly, free, & leashed dogs are welcome.

For more info about this and future events, visit our website (link in profile) ✨️

17/10/2024

Storms cause a lot of big emotions, for you and your kids.

16/10/2024
Don't sleep on this one! Love this cat, great lyrics. ✊Jesse Welles
15/10/2024

Don't sleep on this one! Love this cat, great lyrics. ✊

Jesse Welles

ANNOUNCING! JESSE WELLES - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 @ MOTORCO

TIX ON SALE - 10AM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 @ motorcomusic.com/event/jesse-welles

JESSE WELLES comes to Motorco!

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Videos

DJ Shadow drops "Organ Donor" at the Lincoln in Raleigh last night!

SATURDAZE at Boxyard RTP! Every Saturday in September, 100% deep vinyl cuts, Fullsteam - Boxyard RTP pizza & brews, Lawrence Barbecue & more. Needle drops at 11:30 AM, come chill with us! #ncvinyl

Yo!!! We're invading the Bull City this Saturday 7/20 with Selector B Steady on the wheels of steel for the "Fr33dom Infused Cookout"!! RSVP & info: facebook.com/events/1820866165077820 See less

Bless up! The 24th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash was amazing... Thank you to all who came out to support! #onelove

SATURDAZE at Boxyard RTP! Come chill with us 8/12 from 11:30-2:30. #ncvinyl

The Vinyl Escape: Get Ready!!
The Vinyl Escape: Get Ready!!

Coming this Saturday, Nov. 5th, to the Speakeasy in Carrboro! Think of it as a VIP party for the Carrboro CD & Record Show the next day, and join vinyl fans from around the Triangle. Introducing a brand new series called "The Vinyl Escape" featuring 100% vinyl mixed live by the best NC vinyl DJs. Funk, soul, reggae, dub, rocksteady, afrofunk—and whatever is in the crates. Take a musical excursion & escape with us! All vinyl, all night, every week, all right!! RSVP & invite folks: DJ Uno Dose & Ras J Dib, Reggae, funk,soul Dance party Fans of: Grassroots Vinyl Lounge, Triangle Soul Society, Simmer Down: Roots Reggae Vinyl Sessions, Carrboro CD & Record Show, Vinyl Carolina - Community, Triangle Area Vinyl Group

Announcing a dope August residency at Boxyard RTP, daytime runnings with 100% vinyl selections. Wednesdays from 12-2 PM, come through & hang in the sunshine for a spell!! ☀️ Sonic Pie Productions Simmer Down: Roots Reggae Vinyl Sessions We're Bringin it Back!! Park Parties (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC) Grassroots Vinyl Lounge RTP Pickup Soccer (Davis Drive) RTP Soccer Friends Carolina Reggae Scene Vinyl Carolina 33 1/3 - Celebrating Vinyl Culture Fullsteam Brewery

More classic vibes from the Grassroots Vinyl Lounge at Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance! Collie Buddz's "Hustle" 45 & Barrington LEVY's "Black Roses" both mashing up the dance floor vibes!! #ncvinyl

Once again...it's on! Enjoy choice vintage selections of soul, funk, reggae & beyond from the top vinyl djs in North Carolina at the Grassroots Vinyl Lounge, spinning all festival long between bands and late night at the Meadow Stage beer tent. Sponsored by Foothills Brewing. #ncvinyl Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance Craig Layabout James Caleb Coppola Charlie Hearon Shakori Vinyl Lounge Shakori Hills Community Arts Center Shakori Hill People

Yo!!! So excited to join Khruangbin, Lee Fields and The Expressions, Big Daddy Kane & Terminator X at the Comeback Fest this Saturday night! Props to Band Together from bringing one of the hottest acts in the country to Raleigh, NC legend Lee Fields, BDK fresh off his recent Verzuz battle, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Terminator X of Public Enemy. This annual Band Together benefit will take place at Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. (A few single tickets left!) Since 2001, Band Together has used the power of live music to donate over $10 million to Triangle area nonprofit organizations. Let’s go!! 🔥 #NCstrong

Great time on Thursday & Friday night at the Grassroots Vinyl Lounge! Looking forward to another awesome day at Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance! Please stop by & say hello. Today we will also have a special guest set from our good friend Katharine Whalen of Swedish Wood Patrol, Katharine Whalen's Jazz Squad, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers. A longtime vinyl collector, she will be digging deep in the crates! Sponsored by Foothills Brewing. Shakori Hill People Technics

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Since 1989

February 2011 DJ Profile is Yes! Weekly http://www.yesweekly.com/triad/article-11508-triad-dj-profile.html Free Roots Download: http://www.mixcrate.com/djrasj/ital-session--74057 DJ handle: DJ Ras J What it means: Ras as in Rasta, just a nickname from college. Real name: James A. McGurk What I play: A bit of a hacker guitarist, from the turntables I spin mostly vintage roots reggae vinyl. Upcoming shows: Opening for the Budos Band at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro Feb. 20. My monthly residency is “Simmer Down: Roots & Culture Reggae Revival” every fourth Saturday at Talulla’s (456 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill). Got in the game: 1989 at WECS 90.1 FM in Willimantic, Connecticut. Why I do it: I was always into music and made a lot of mixtapes as a kid. In college I hosted a pretty popular radio show, which led to many connections in the industry. After that I worked in the music business in NYC until 1995 and eventually moved down here in 1997 and worked in commercial radio and for Redeye Distribution. There just wasn’t a very strong roots reggae scene in the area, so I created a party where folks could hear music from Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Alton Ellis, Jacob Miller and other foundation artists. Music has the power to uplift and unite people. Influences: I’m all over the place musically, from Jimi Hendrix to Thievery Corporation to old jazz and soul records. I was a roadie for Super Cat and Wild Apache and also an intern at Cold Chillin’ Records back in the day. As a DJ, I draw inspiration from all my local DJ friends, as well as legendary cats like David Rodigan and Afrika Bambaataa. First pro gig: Opened up for the Wailers when I was in college at Eastern Connecticut State University. Studio work: Just a few mix cds over the years, the best selling one being Ital Session from 2009. My style: I like to create a classic 1970s sound-system vibe, burn incense and build up the positive energy. Personal playlist: Lots of vintage reggae, classic rock, jazz, blues and electronic stuff. Huge vinyl fan. Favorite albums: Bi***es Brew by Miles Davis, Super Cat’s Don Dada, BDP’s Criminal Minded and the Doors first album. My gear: Technics 1200 MKII turntables, Roland Space Echo, Ecler Nuo 4 Mixer, , Korg Kaossilator, SM58 mic Website: reverbnation.com/djrasj and facebook.com/djrasj I’d like to add: Just played an incredible gig at Patty Boom Boom in Washington DC last week with DJ J-Bone. I really love all the live music in this area and the community of local musicians, artists and DJs. It is a blessing to be able to be exposed to so much great music. I bring greetings of peace & love to one and all.