ABOUT
“Throughout his involvement in both the Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop and DJ scene, ELITE has supported the culture as styles and trends came and went. His role as a mentor and battle-tested mix man in the clubs and radio has helped encourage and sustain the culture that has survived primarily on knowledge from the old school players in the industry.
Music is the catalyst and inspiration for many things. For Hawaiʻi’s DJ ELITE™, music is a little more than just a “thing.”
In many ways, ELITE is a DJ activist determined to preserve the art form’s culture and fundamentals, from the most cutting-edge methods of scratching and remixing to the fundamental turntable trick.
Along with running his music production business, Elite Empire Entertainment™, he is also the co-founder of the Crossfade Disciples™, a collective of Oahʻu’s most dedicated turntable purists, as well as the co-founder of the 808 Natives™, a Wahiawā veteran rap-duo forged in their teens during Rap’s Golden Era.
“Music is my lifeblood, and DJing is the heart that pumps it,” he said.
Sadly, I’ve seen street go mainstream, but on the flip side, I’ve watched the underground expand in wider acceptance and grow exponentially as a community,” he says.
His professional career dates back to 1988, but he still is very much in his prime. Ultimately, you can’t go forward without recognizing the past. When you’ve been in the game as long as he has, and you’re still setting the standard. That’s saying something.
As Hawaiʻi’s first-ever Hip-Hop DJ Champion, a title he claimed in 1990, this DJ has a right to call himself ELITE. His accomplishments have paved the road to success - time to start walking.”
Honolulu Weekly
Honolulu Weekly
2009/2012 INTERVIEW
MidWeek Oʻahu (mention)
COVER STORY
Wikipedia (mention)
NĀ MELE PALEOLELO
(Hawaiian Rap)
Wikipedia (mention)
PINOY (Filipino) HIP HOP
(Rise of the turntablists)
RÉSUMÉ
1990 to current
Elite Empire Creative Studio
aka The War Room
dba Elite Empire Entertainment, LLC
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Creative Director, Music Producer, Audio Engineer,
DJ Entertainer, and more
2000 to current
CrossFade Disciples aka CFD
(Scratch DJ and Music Production Crew)
[Founded as "Elite Squad" in 1997 by Jason Kuni]
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Scratch DJ, Music Producer, Performer
2000 to current
(Rap and Music Production Duo)
[Founded as "Def Squad (Hawaiʻi)" in 1986]
Wahiawā, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Rapper, Writer, Music Producer, Performer
2008 to 2017
KPHW 104.3 FM (Power 104.3)
Top 40 (Contemporary Hit Radio)
SummitMedia, LLC (formerly Cox Radio, Inc.)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Mixshow DJ and Events DJ
2008 to 2013
Zanzabar Nightclub
SINsual Fridays, Sizzlin' Sundays
Waikīkī, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ
2013
Bacardi® Iron DJ BATTLE (Invite Only)
The Republik Nightclub
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
INVITEE
2013
Mix Factor DJ BATTLE
Hula's Bar & Lei Stand
Waikīkī, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
2nd PLACE
2012
The Villa Nightclub (Aloha Tower)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ
2006
Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (Jive, Zomba)
SexyBack Club Tour: The Remixes
* SEXY DREAMS REMIX
[BONUS: Unreleased Alternate Remix]
Music Producer, Audio Engineer
2006
Rihanna - Unfaithful (Def Jam, SRP)
ISLAND VIBE Remix
Music Producer, Audio Engineer
2005
Maka - Treatment (Elite Empire)
San Diego Solo Rap Artist Album
* Produced from scratch in 1 month (October)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Executive Producer, Music Producer,
Audio Engineer, Back Vocals (Make A Move),
DJ (various songs)
2004
KPOI 97.5 FM (98 Rock)
Alternative Rock
Visionary Related Entertainment
Spin City Mixshow
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Mixshow DJ
2003
Kutmaster Spaz - React For Him (Vaihi Ent.)
Honolulu Solo Rap Artist Album
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Song: Many Rivers (feat. 808 Natives)
Music Producer, Co-Writer, and Rapper
Song: Shining Star
Music Producer, Co-Writer
1997-2000
Bomb Bay Records
(Recording Studio, Record Label)
Los Angeles, California US
Music Producer, Audio Engineer
1997
Exotic Nights (Gentlemen's Club)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee, Talent Director
1993 to 1997
Platinum Pacific Hawaii, Inc.
(Recording Studio)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Music Producer, Audio Engineer
1990 to 1996
A Disco Beat
(Mobile Sound Company)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ
1996
KCCN 100.3 FM (FM 100)
Hawaiian Contemporary Hits
*Kid Leo and Jimmy the Geek show
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Mixshow DJ
1996
The Jungle Nightclub
TropiKail Legends, Inc.
Waikīkī, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee
1995-1996
Rendezvous Nightclub
(The old Pink Cadillac)
Waikīkī, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee
1990 to 1995
Music Express Productions
(Mobile Sound Company and Recording Studio)
ʻEwa Beach, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Music Producer, Audio Engineer
1992 to 1995
Rumour’s Nightclub
Ala Moana Hotel
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Nightclub Consultant, Occasional Guest DJ
1995
After Dark Nightclub DJ BATTLE (II)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
FINALIST
1994
After Dark Nightclub DJ BATTLE (I)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
2nd PLACE
1993
The Attic Nightclub (Kakaʻako)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee
1992
Steamer’s Seafood Restaurant
Haleʻiwa, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee
1991 to 1992
BM Productions (Event Promoter)
*Aloha Tower events
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Emcee
1991
DG Sounds (Mobile Sound Company)
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ
1990
JL Productions (Event Promoter)
*Aloha Tower events
*M.A.D.D. High School events
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ
1990
Paradise Club DJ BATTLE
Schofield Army Barracks
Wahiawā, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
CHAMPION
1988 to 1989
Matt Young Productions
(Record Producer, Concert Promoter)
*3 Local Boys remixes
Honolulu, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
Resident DJ, Music Producer / Remixer
1989
Brown Bags to Stardom
(Statewide High School Talent Competition)
Leilehua High School
Wahiawā, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
GROUP: C.O.D. aka Concepts of Desire
Song Title: Broken Love
Genre: Latin Freestyle / Rap
Vocalist, Writer, Music Producer, Performer
1st PLACE
1988
Brown Bags to Stardom
(Statewide High School Talent Competition)
Leilehua High School
Wahiawā, Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
GROUP: Def Squad (1986)
Song Title: Supremacy
Genre: Rap
Music Producer
2nd PLACE
1984 to 1989
Various School events
Various Teen Dances
Various House Parties
Central Oahʻu, Hawaiʻi US
DJ, Emcee