Wide Hive Recording Artist, DJ Zeph, has been a tenacious disciple of music since 1982, starting off as part of a breakdancing crew from his hometown of Santa Cruz, Ca. Soon after, the eminent Kut Masta Murt took Zeph under his wing and often invited him into the studio. From that point on, Zeph began to concentrate on his skills as a DJ.

After aquiring a degree in Audio Production from San Francisco State University and a tenure at the university's radio station, KSFS, Zeph had become a prominent artist from the depths of the Bay Area talent pool. Now, as he steps in the spotlight, DJ Zeph reigns as one of the top Bay Area DJ's, and rightly so.

Inspired by everyone from Public Enemy, Stevie Wonder, Jungle Brothers to Bill Laswell, Zeph's sound is musically daring and pleasingly unique. Equally celebrated as a producer, engineer, and turntablist, DJ Zeph's career is on the steady rise. The momentum has continued with Zeph taking home the honor of "Best DJ/Turntablist" at the SF Weekly Music Awards in 2002. He now sits firmly alongside Little Brother, Wildchild, and GE-OLOGY as an Urb Magazine Next 100 artist for 2003.

Zeph's latest album, Sunset Salvage (Formerly Sunset Scavenger), steps it up a notch by featuring guest artists Lyrics Born, Vursatyl of the Lifesavas, "Boots" of the Coup, Azeem, and more. This album offers up a diverse range of hip hop including funk driven instrumental jams to disco-infused booty shakers, as well as smooth rocking emcee tracks that roll over Zeph's signature soundscapes. With an aggressive touring schedule and the ability to please any hip hop and jam-funk crowd, Zeph continues to be one of the most successful and in demand Bay Area DJ's and producers.

With a discography that spawns over severally critically acclaimed albums (L*Roneous Imaginarium and Zeph & Imperial's Breakbuilders), it was the May 2001 release of the DJ Zeph album (Wide Hive Records) that set him apart from many hip hop DJ's and exposed his deep musical roots. Hints of jazz, rock, funk, and soul color his album that made a spectacular #1 debut on the CMJ hip-hop charts, beating out such artists as Mystic, Jay Z, and Blackalicious.

DJ Zeph is riding high off the success of his self-titled solo debut. On Seven Grain, he is reunited with lyricist Azeem, for the first 12", 'The Promise.' His improvisational approach delivers decisive scratches integrated with perfectly timed cuts. Other contributions range from raw grooves to ambient textures-often uplifting, sometimes edgy, but always in the groove.

D.J. Zeph's raw scratching and cuts deliver energetic performances that integrate air sirens, drum loops, bass harmonica, and a wah-wah-saw solo. But whether it's sub-textual mood or up front cutting, Zeph's mark is undeniably Zeph.

In October 2002, DJ Zeph took the crown as "Best DJ/Turntablist" at the SFWeekly Music Awards and is a graduate of Urb Magazines "Next 100" (2003).

DJ Zeph is currently receiving amazing press from his recent 12" "Floorwax" and it's been hailed as "...one of the best 12-inches of the year," by XLR8R magazine in 2003.

The analog architect
DJ Zeph builds organic new sounds from a firm vinyl foundation
Dave Pehling, San Francisco Bay Guardian




DJ Zeph // Sunset Salvage (Formerly Sunset Scavenger)

SF Examiner
"S.F.'s DJ Zeph, veteran b-boy and turntablist extraordinaire, makes music for sophisticated underground hip-hop heads hungry for ahead-of-the-curve grooves."

Portland Mercury
"Zeph splices the emceeing with trippy, old- timey female singing which takes the edge off the intense verbal assault. Underscore matches beats with what sounds like cellos and violins to a mellifluous, and romantic effect."

Tuscon Citizen
"On his latest CD, "Sunset Scavenger," DJ Zeph makes a strong case that a hip-hop producer can, and should, be taken seriously as a musical composer even as he delivers the best dance record of the year so far."

All Music Guide
"While Zeph's grooves are funky and gritty, they also have a certain jazziness -- the sort of jazziness one associates with experimental rappers such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, Digable Planets, Common, and Pete Miser."

Rap Reviews
'"Sunset Scavenger" is a surprisingly comfortable mix of Jazz's sensual sound and Rap's upbeat kick.'

Evil Monito Magazine
"DJ Zeph along with fellow co-producer Ben Conrad has provided us with a gem. The tracks are simply dynamite."

DJ Zeph // Floor Wax 12"

Thick Online
"I like labels I can trust, just buy their CDs and expect to be introduced to a new talent each time. Wide Hive are like that, lot's of cool musicians...If you don't want to spin the same tired set, this 12" is where to start."

DJ Zeph // Break Builder 12"

Vinyl Exchange
"The Bay is a mecca for skilled hip-hop DJs, but DJ Zeph stands out even among the cream of the crop."