Always Challenging the Idea of What Hip Hop is

Rob takes Hip Hop and effortlessly blends it with the genre of Classical music to create an album that
acts as the soundtrack to his vision of where Hip Hop can head rather than where
it is right now. The Architect also marks Rob Swift debut release on
Mike’s Recordings label, a perfect fit as both men have
been challenging the notion of music for years. They have previously toured
together promoting Peeping Tom project and their collaborative
effort “General Patton Vs. The X-ecutioners.” With a history that grabs heavily
from jazz, Rob now pushes the boundaries of music even further, championing its
limitless possibilities.

Hip Hop purists will appreciate the chances Rob Swift has taken on The
Architect, while music lovers will see that the genre of “Turntablism” and
classical music have more in common than anyone ever thought.   As for DJ Rob
Swift fans? His musical evolution cannot be denied. No matter what, at the end
of the day, the listeners will know the turntable is his microphone.

Having got his start as a DJ at age 12 from watching his father DJ meringue
parties and older brother showing him the ropes, Robert Aguilar AKA Rob Swift
pursued his love for music and joined the groundbreaking turntablist crew the
X-Men aka X-ecutioners (Roc Raida, Total Eclipse, and Mista Sinista) in 1991.
Within a year of joining the X, he won the coveted DMC East Coast title,
becoming world renowned as a master beat juggler (a style of turntable
manipulation which involves manually rearranging actual drum beats from vinyl in
real time). In 2001, Rob Swift was featured in the DJ documentary SCRATCH (Palm
Pictures). He has appeared on ESPN, The Late Show with David Letterman, and even
Sesame Street. In 2008, Rob was the first Hip Hop DJ invited to perform at the
Savannah, Georgia Jazz Festival. He has collaborated with artists from many
genres including Blue Man Group, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Linkin Park, Good
Charlotte, Dan The Automator, Fat Joe, Cypress Hill and many others. Whether
working solo, in a group setting as part of Ill Insanity (featuring former X-Men
Total Eclipse and Precision) or collaborating with other like-minded artists,
Rob Swift is always in perpetual motion, pushing the boundaries of what he does
and connecting with audiences by all means necessary.

Rob Swift 2009 DVD release As The Technics Spin, you’re looking at
a master Turntablist, a walking encyclopedia of the craft. He describes in
precise detail how some of his most intricate routines work. But when he puts
his hands on the wheels of steel, all the talk in no way prepares you for what
you are about to witness and the only way to truly understand the years
of stellar experience he has in his pocket is to sit back, put on your best
headphones, and listen to the magic Rob makes.

Friday, January 8th
Jern Eye (Myx Music/ SF)
with Alphabet Stew, Santotzin, Risky Star, Level Headed, Trap thee MC
Hosted by DJ Wels

at Ash Street Theater
225 SW Ash Street
$5 with 3 Cans for Oregon Food Bank
21 and Over

Saturday, January 9th
Featuring the Legendary DJ ROB SWIFT
of X-Men aka X-ecutioners
Hosted by: Cool Nutz
Featuring: Gen.Erik (Animal Farm)
DJ Wicked
Serge Severe
DJ Fatboy

–
Cool Nutz
Jus Family Records
Executive Branch Management
The Heartbeat Agency
Northwest Breakout Show
Jammin 107.5 Saturday’s 6-8PM
3439 NE Sandy Blvd #701
Portland, OR 97232
www.JusFamilyRecords.com
www.myspace.com/coolnutz
www.twitter.com/coolnutz