Up-and-coming DJ Adrian “Altitude” Hurst (Photo by Novelle “Brad” Williams)
17th August 2012, St. John’s Antigua- Full Name: Adrian Lionel Alfred Hurst. The politically minded might connect him with his father, Lionel Hurst, while Carnival connoisseurs know his mom, Erna-Mae Brathwaite. But Adrian is forging a path all his own and making a name for himself among the younger generation.
“They used to call me D.J. Gangsta Nerd,” Hurst shared. Back then he was a short, skinny, first former at the Antigua Grammar School but it wasn’t long before things changed. D.J. Altitude, as he is now known, got his name from the man he calls his mentor, D.J. Nez.
Adrian said he’s always been into music and first caught on to the art of disc jockeying after playing around on his cousin’s Virtual D.J. software. By the time he was in his third year at AGS he was taking his craft more seriously but he didn’t get a shot at working a crowd until his first year atABIIT.
Music has always been a part of Altitude’s life. “It started when I was small, mom used to have choir parties all the time and the music was one thing I always enjoyed,” he said.
These days Adrian is a busy computer science major at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. During the week you’ll find him figuring out lengthy programmes and logarithms for class, but on the weekend he’s a staple at parties and even landed himself a gig at a local club called ‘Love That Girl Bar & Grill.’
“DJing is more than a hobby,” He said “It’s more like a part-time job.” And while he’s grateful for the experience and exposure the job brings, Hurst said it leaves too little time for school. In an age where up-and-coming DJs seem to be a dime a dozen, Altitude sets himself apart from the crowd by being versatile. As a born-and-bred Caribbean man, Altitude loves his Soca and Dancehall, even though Hip-Hop is his favourite genre so playing for an American audience poses no problem for him.
“And if that’s not enough, I’m 6 ft. 6,” he added, chuckling.
On the local scene DJ Altitude has been rocking ‘The Yard’ week after week at NMI Promotions’ Thirsty Thursdays. He’s also scheduled to make appearances at the Coast and Rush Nightclub this weekend.
Learn more this up and coming D.J / computer scientist and see what’s next for him by checking out his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/altitude.dj.
