Music
The best kept secret in music
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This band has no press
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Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
As a product of Toronto's storied DJ lineage, DJ Mensa has ascended the ranks to become a bona fide staple in his city's music scene.
From early on, DJ Mensa (born Dustin Espanol) has followed the firm belief that creating the right vibe is paramount above all, and he has spent ten plus years perfecting an alchemy of precise scratching and stellar song selection that has kept him a perennial crowd favorite.
Be it via pulsating house beats, classic hip-hop, an extended motown set, or anything else in between, crowds could not be in more capable hands than Mensa's. He likens DJ'ing to a conversation between him and the audience, and he is always looking for the right thing to say.
The demand for his sound has afforded DJ Mensa the opportunity to share stages with a wide array of luminary artists such as Drake, Lil' Jon, Wiz Khalifa, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, The Weeknd, Common, Janelle Monae, Questlove (of the Roots), and countless others. Sir Richard Branson, Alicia Keys, and Georges St. Pierre are a handful of celebrities Mensa has has had the honor to fte.
DJ Mensa's sound has taken him far and wide: from bookings across every major city in Canada, to New York, Atlanta, Amsterdam, and even as far as his native Philippines. His 2012 promises a full slate of appearances in new markets and opportunities to spread his love of music to the masses.
In 2009, Mensa made history as the winner of Toronto's first RedBull Thre3Style DJ mixoff, anointing him "the best party rocker in the 416." He has since gone on to retain this title, in convincing fashion, three times over, making noise across the country for his explosive and inventive sets.
For the casual listener, Mensa caters to his loyal following with a series of mixtapes showcasing his personal taste in music. In stark contrast to dance-heavy club sets, Mensa's "Coolout" brand mixes offer a mellower side of his mixing prowess, and have proven to be a fan favorite. One particular work, his tribute to fallen singer Aaliyah entitled "Babygirl," saw a wealth of coverage, and to this day boasts close to 50,000 downloads.
His devotion to music and the craft of mixing has proven Mensa to be a full-service DJ in every sense. With a wealth of accomplishments under his belt, Mensa now looks to broaden his cultural horizons so as to become the gatekeeper of the music you will be listening to for many years to come. From warm-up to cool down, DJ Mensa still remains fully in the know.
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