James Coles
James Coles
aka: United DJs / Musical Youth / Daddy
Age: 40
Hometown: Waikiki/San Francisco
Musical occupation: DJ/Radio Producer/Teacher/Promoter/Entrepreneur
How did you get into the music business? My dad, Brad Coles! He owned a big club in California and he loved mixed tapes, so I started selling mixed tapes in the seventh grade for $10 each. Then deejaying at Cilly’s in 1983 for its Teen Disco, which led to Cilly adult nights, which led to working seven days a week in various clubs in Waikiki from 1983 to 2003. I started promoting raves and club nights in 1989, and then owned my own club for a few years. And then got into radio back in 1985 ... the rest is history.
Musical accomplishments? First, to have a remix/mix show here in Hawaii back in 1984. I have one of my remixes pressed on wax on MIXX-IT Records. I became music director/program director for I-94 FM. I opened my own club before I was 30. I played in other countries, deejayed on cruise ships. I started my own after-school program teaching teens the art of deejaying and the music game. Having my students get on the radio deejaying while they were still in high school is an accomplishment. And being one of the first deejays to play and promote house music and hip-hop music in Hawaii.
Favorite genre to listen to? Real house music and ‘60s and ‘70s soul.
Current projects/promotions/gigs? Musical Youth of Hawaii, our after-school DJ program at the YMCA in Kalihi, where we teach teens the art for free. Suga Suga Teen Dance Parties. Fire at Lulu’s Surf Club in Waikiki is an 18-and-over party. And Shine at The Lily Koi Lounge in Aiea is another 18-and-over party.
Music goals? To have our after-school program in our own facility/building in every community and island, teaching teens deejaying, music production, radio production and entrepreneurial skills before I’m 50.
Contact information: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or www.myspace.com/uniteddjs
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