DJ Hollywood’s early years were marked by significant challenges and pivotal moments. Born in Philadelphia, he spent his initial school years there, living with his grandmother. His move to New York in the third grade marked the beginning of a new chapter, as he was raised solely by his mother following his parents’ separation. By the age of fourteen in 1971, tensions with his mother led him to leave home, a decision that plunged him into the harsh realities of life in Harlem. Despite his youth, he found himself in situations far beyond his years, including sleeping in basements and on rooftops during summer.
His teenage years were a whirlwind of activities in Harlem’s underground scene, where he mingled with hustlers and undertook risky jobs, like driving Cadillacs for questionable errands and moving cars to avoid parking tickets. His association with a number man slash coke dealer further exposed him to the gritty side of the streets, including spending time in a bar on Sugar Hill Avenue where he first encountered the world of DJing.
An unexpected turn of events at the bar led DJ Hollywood to his first experience behind the turntables. Tasked with covering for the regular DJ, he initially struggled but quickly found his voice, blending music with engaging banter – a skill honed from his days in Harlem’s talent shows and singing with his group, the Innovations.
This pivotal moment marked a profound shift in DJ Hollywood’s life. He abandoned his former activities and focused solely on DJing, driven by a passion for music that consumed his every thought. Innovating the DJ scene, he introduced interactive elements like encouraging the crowd to respond, a significant departure from the norm where DJs would traditionally only play music. This approach led to the creation of now-famous audience participation chants like “Throw your hands in the air,” marking the beginning of a new era in DJ culture.
