DJ Abilities

Gregory Keltgen (born 1979), better known by his stage name DJ Abilities, is a Minnesota-based underground hip hop producer and DJ signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.[1][2] He is a founding member of Eyedea & Abilities alongside the late rapper Eyedea and also Semi.Official alongside rapper I Self Devine.[3][4] Abilities is a member of 1200 Hobos and was also a member of Atmosphere at one point.

DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameGregory Keltgen
Born1979 (age 41–42)
OriginAlbuquerque, New Mexico United States
GenresAlternative hip hop
Occupation(s)Producer, DJ
InstrumentsTurntables MPC, Synths
Years active1997–present
LabelsRhymesayers Entertainment
Associated actsEyedea & Abilities, Semi.Official, Eyedea, I Self Devine, El-P, Deep Puddle Dynamics
Websitedjabilities.com

DJ Abilities is well known in the Midwest for being one of the best battle DJs in the local scene, having won both the 1999 and 2001 DMC Regional championships. However, he and Eyedea were noted, above all, for their ability to interact in live on stage performances, as well as on record.[5]

Career

DJ Abilities released First Born, a debut album with the rapper Eyedea as Eyedea & Abilities, in 2001.[6] He handled the turntable work on El-P's 2002 solo debut album Fantastic Damage.[7] Two more collaborative albums with Eyedea, E&A (2004) and By the Throat (2009), were both released on Rhymesayers Entertainment.[8][9][10]

Eyedea & Abilities' star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

Eyedea & Abilities has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[11] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[12] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[13]

Discography
See also: Eyedea & Abilities discography and Semi.Official discography

DJ mixes
  • Finally (1997, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
  • ...For Persons with DJ Abilities (2000, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
  • Now! That's What I Call Fuck Off (2012, self-released)
  • The Blends (2014, self-released)

Productions

Guest appearances

References
  1. Scholtes, Peter S. (September 12, 2001). "What's the Big Eyedea?". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  2. Schell, Justin (2010). "From St. Paul to Minneapolis, All the Hands Clap for This: Hip Hop in the Twin Cities". In Hess, Mickey (ed.). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 378–379.
  3. Scholtes, Peter S. (September 7, 2009). "Abilities talks turntablism's bright future". The A.V. Club.
  4. Crusah (January 1, 2004). "Semi.Official - The Anti Album". HipHopDX.
  5. Matos, Michaelangelo (January 6, 2009). "Ready, Willing, and Able: Ego trippin' with the hardest-working hip-hop DJ in town". City Pages. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  6. Wolfman (December 14, 2006). "Eyedea and Abilities - E&A". Tiny Mix Tapes.
  7. Youssef, Sobhi (January 12, 2009). "Review: El-P - Fantastic Damage". Sputnikmusic.
  8. Kricke, Dan (January 11, 2005). "Eyedea & Abilities - E&A". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  9. Dameron, Emerson (August 27, 2009). "Eyedea & Abilities - By the Throat". Dusted Magazine.
  10. Li, Christina (August 8, 2012). "DJ Q&A: DJ Abilities". SF Station. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  11. "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  12. Bream, Jon (2019-05-03). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  13. Marsh, Steve (2019-05-13). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
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