Chicopee man to compete in DJ contest

Date: 9/5/2014

CHICOPEE – A Chicopee resident is looking to make a splash in the Big Apple.

Twenty-one year old Adonte “Eskay” Harrell is competing in the VFiles Disc Jockey (DJ) Championships during fashion week as VFiles is teaming up with Def Jam Recordings to make it happen.

“[Def Jam’s] a big record label in New York. They put out a contest for everyone to enter their own music [and] pick three people out of the whole country. [Those selected] compete during fashion week,” Harrell explained.
   
Harrell started mixing music within the past five years and has produced for some major artists, including Soulja Boy, Lil B, and Chief Keef.
   
“I’ve been producing for four or five years, [doing mostly] R & B, hip hop, and new age rap. One of my family members showed me a program, SL Studio, and I took it and ran with it,” he said. “I met Soulj Boy through people in Atlanta and met others through him.”
   
Harrell was selected from an entry group of more than 300 people, all of whom submitted a ten minute mix on which they were judged. He first learned about this opportunity when he was in New York earlier this year.
   
“I went to New York a few months back and got introduced to VFiles. I saw [the competition] on their Twitter and they hit me up and told me to enter,” he said.
   
The three finalists will compete during fashion week, where Def Jam’s Executive Vice President of Artists and repertoire (A & R) Joshua “Hip Hop” Kyambo will pick the winner. The prize includes music gear, VIP passes to fashion week, and a week of studio time at Def Jam.
   
“I’m excited to meet the A & R,” Harrell added.
   
This is the first time this competition has been held and the finals will take place on Sept. 3.