DJ Quik
b. David Blake, 18 January 1970, Compton, California, USA. Artist whose deification of his hometown, where he had grown up the youngest of ten children, pervaded both his first two albums (Born And Raised In Compton on his debut, and minor hit single Jus Lyke Compton on the follow-up set). At the age of 12 he began to learn the art of DJing, but it wasn't until NWA exploded on the West Coast that he actually considered these skills might provide a career. He began recording cassettes, one of which found its way into the hands of Profile A&R man Dave Moss, head of their newly opened Los Angeles office. His debut set saw comparisons to Prince, though in mode of operation rather than musical terms: Quik writing, rapping, producing and arranging the set in its entirety. Rather than repeating the gangsta stance of his near-neighbours NWA (though he claimed to be a former member of the Bloods gang), Quik confirmed that ‘There's a fun side to Compton, too’, reflecting this in songs about sex (the rather too obvious Sweet Black Pussy—‘I'm like Noah's Ark, My bitches come in pairs’), alcohol (8 Ball) and marijuana (Tha Bombudd). His biggest hit, however, came with the Top 50-breaking Tonite. He has also produced widely for Compton groups like 2nd II None and Penthouse.