Soulive/ DJ Spinna

Biography

DJ Spinna, born Vincent Williams of Panamanian background, grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and began experimenting with turntables at age 11, collecting records since childhood. He started his professional career as a college DJ at Binghamton University, pursuing hip-hop from 1985 with his first group Top Choice Three, before rising in hip-hop's golden era as a producer for The Jigmastas, which he co-founded and co-owned via Beyond Real Recordings. Known for his multi-dimensional sound blending hip-hop, dance, funk, soul, jazz, and soulful house, Spinna gained acclaim remixing major artists like De La Soul, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Eminem (on early tracks like 'Three Six Five' and 'Watch Deez' before Eminem's superstardom).[1][2][3][5][7][8]

Spinna's career flourished in the 1990s and 2000s with productions for Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, J-Live, and others, alongside remixes for soul legends (Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers, Eddie Kendricks) and contemporary acts (4 Hero, Les Nubians, Shawn Escoffery's 'Days Like This'). He released solo albums like Here to There (2003, BBE), Intergalactic Soul (2006), and founded Wonderwax label in 2003 to showcase soulful dance works by himself and artists like Rich Medina. As a world-class DJ, he rocked global venues from Japan to Dubai, collaborating onstage with Gilles Peterson, Q-Tip, Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Shadow, while hosting iconic Stevie Wonder tribute parties WONDER-Full since 1999.[2][3][4][6]

His legacy endures as a versatile icon across genres, with over 20 years crafting beats, curating events like Spinnafest, and influencing dancefloors worldwide through pristine house mixing and hip-hop turntablism, maintaining relevance into the 2020s.[3][5]

Fun Facts

• DJ Spinna's remix of Shawn Escoffery's 'Days Like This' became a worldwide house music anthem.
• He hosted Stevie Wonder tribute parties called WONDER-Full since 1999, packing venues from New York to Tokyo with Bobbito Garcia.
• Spinna deejayed onstage with Erykah Badu and provided the soundtrack for Ashford & Simpson's 2005 white party at their estate.
• His first demo was cut in 1985 with hip-hop group Top Choice Three, marking his studio debut at age around 12.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Stevie Wonder - major stylistic inspiration and remix subject (remixes and WONDER-Full tribute parties) [1990s-present]

Key Collaborators

• The Jigmastas - co-founder and producer of the underground hip-hop duo (debut album on Beyond Real Recordings) [1990s]
• Eminem - early production collaboration ('Three Six Five', 'Watch Deez', '5-Star Generals') [pre-1999]
• Rich Medina - frequent collaborator on Wonderwax label and tracks ('Reality' (2003)) [2000s]
• Bobbito Garcia - co-host of Stevie Wonder tribute events (WONDER-Full parties) [1999-present]

Artists Influenced

• Global DJs and producers - inspired by his versatility in hip-hop, house, and soul mixing (tours and performances influencing scenes in Japan, Europe) [2000s-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia