Who would play something like that? Where are his shoes? When Flint, Michigan’s DJ Psycho (Dezi Magby) is on deck, it doesn't matter. Psycho is an artist whose skill and record collection has given him a unique reputation as a precise, dance floor bend..

DJ Psycho: Dance Floor Renegade

Who would play something like that? Where are his shoes? When Flint, Michigan’s DJ Psycho (Dezi Magby) is on deck, it doesn't matter. Psycho is an artist whose skill and record collection has given him a unique reputation as a precise, dance floor bending madman. His quick wit, fast hand, seemingly endless stacks of records, and bare feet are the mark of a merciless performer. Psyc’s tactical, anything goes style is evident in countless multi-genre sets and guest appearances that have set ablaze countless dance floors and PA systems. No matter what kind of crowd, audiences can only expect the unexpected, then watch helplessly as he rips through countless styles and tempos with precision, control, and tact that can only come from one of the most skilled veterans on the planet. Psycho has, over the last 30 years, gained a reputation as a DJ that can rock any dance floor, in any venue, at any given time...all the while, using vinyl exclusively.

Originally trained as a multi-instrumentalist, DJ Psycho’s interest was sparked in the 5th grade by an uncle DJing at family functions, starting soon after, providing musical selection for elementary, junior high, and high school events as a youth. In 1984, Dezi co-founded "Your’z Truly", a funk band consisting of classmates from Flint Northwestern and friends from Flint Northern High. Even while in the band, he maintained a diverse record collection and did DJ shows. Psycho studied videos from greats such as Grandmaster Flash, mix sets from Detroit legends Electrifying Mojo, Ken Collier and Jeff ‘The Wizard’ Mills, and amalgamated his own style from the techniques that he liked best. At 17, DJ Psycho, with assistance from his best friend, Kevin "Max Jerome" Klida, first unleashed his unique mix of funk flair, hip hop turntablism, and early electro and techno precision at local teen club THE MIKATAM, which set him on a patb to reign in clubs throughout the Mid-Michigan area, quickly earning the reputation as a force to be reckoned with behind turntables.

In 1990, Psyc began working at local radio station WWCK-105.5 fm, doing intern work, voicing commercials and characters on night drive radio shows, eventually getting his own weekly mix show on Saturday nights. He also kept his foot in the streets, entering and placing in the Midwest DMC Championship in 1990, 1991, and 1993, spinning in hotspots through out the Midwest, while maintaining steady residencies in the Flint area, co-chairing some of the early rave parties in the area and doing hip-hop production and remixes for local artists. In the summer of 1997, Psyc changed tack and joined "Rev. Right Time and The 1st Cuzins of Funk", getting love on rock radio with the "Do U Juana" album. In 1999, he became a part of the local low-power FM station "RADIO FREE FLINT" (88.3fm), broadcasting from a friend's apartment building. His Sunday evening show, "The Collective", championed hip-hop, techno, electro, alternative and even old school slow jams. Leaving RRT in 2003, he soon founded Irrational Muzikwerx, joined yet another band, Funkilinium and local hip-hop group The Artful Dodgers.. As a result of reaching out to different audiences and areas over the years, Psyc has spun with, opened for and befriended a diverse collection of the world’s best acts, including Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Z-Trip, Derrick May, DJ Craze, The Time, The Pharcyde, Diamond D, Drowning Pool, Fishbone, DJ Clue, Green Lantern, WAR, Roger and Zapp, Skribble, Caspa, Mix Master Mike, Parliament Funkadelic, and 420 Funk Mob. Psycho has also been recognized in such publications as, The Rolling Stone, High Times, The Detroit Free Press, Metro Times, as well as numerous features in his hometown, Flint Journal. In the last few years, Psycho has even been recognized for his talents by the Detroit Music Awards, being nominated as a hip hop DJ, electronic music DJ and winning as both a member of Rev. Right Time (1999), Funkilinium (2006) and Detroit Techno Militia (2011).

Raves & Dances

Date range

Location

Subsect presents; Spinscott

Subsect featuring Document One & DJ Psycho