Episode #115: DJ Amir Abdullah – DJ, Music Historian, Curator

On Fresh is the Word, we like to deliver wisdom through great stories from the minds of bright creatives of pop culture. Through those stories, we like to dissect the journey of our guests and present actionable lessons and advice for our listeners no matter what career or avenue of artistry they pursue. This episode’s guest is DJ, music historian, and curator, DJ Amir Abdullah. Known for his On Track mixtapes with DJ Kon, Amir currently run his own record label, 180-Proof (founded in 2011), which owns the exclusive rights to release Strata Records’ influential back catalogue and unreleased sessions. During our conversation, we talked about Amir’s roots in music, his collaborations with DJ Kon and the On Track mixtapes, becoming a music historian and curator, researching music to reissue/unearth, obtaining the Strata Records catalogue, the history and political activism of Strata in Detroit, and Charles Mingus Jazz in Detroit / Strata Concert Gallery / 46 Selden and the stories behind the recordings. Each episode, the guest is asked to suggest someone from their life/career that should be on Fresh is the Word that would have good stories to tell. Amir chose photographer and political activist Leni Sinclair. Fresh is the Word Podcast - Episode 115 - DJ Amir Abdullah - DJ, Music Historian, Curator of Charles Mingus Jazz in Detroit / Strata Concert Gallery / 46 Selden Follow DJ Amir Abdullah: Web: 180-proof.com Twitter: twitter.com/djamir70 Mixcloud: mixcloud.com/djamir Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/djamir70 Instagram: instagram.com/180proofrecords Facebook: facebook.com/DJ-Amir-161195730583168 THEME MUSIC Courtesy of Knox Money, Bang Belushi, and Foul Mouth. SPONSOR Founded in 2015, 20×20 Apparel brings original tributes to Pro Wrestling’s classic arenas, moments and events. They look to spotlight the Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams along with the Biggest, Smallest, Strangest & Strongest. In the world of wrestling there are 100’s of shirts, promotions, flyers, social media accounts and ads. Don’t get lost in the sea of parody shirts and display fonts. We can provide professional graphic design services at a reasonable price. 20X20 also hand screen prints all tees in house. If you would like to discuss a possible run of tees, posters, koozies, foam fingers…Zubas, then drop them a line at 20x20apparel.com Web: www.20x20apparel.com Facebook: facebook.com/20x20Apparel Twitter: twitter.com/20x20Apparel