- DJ GQ
-
Gary Hardie Born Miami, Florida, United States Nationality Chinese, Jamaican and Cuban Occupation Disc Jockey Website DJGQ.com DJ GQ is a Miami-based disc jockey recognized as one of the first to blend Hip Hop and Reggae to create a unique sound. [1] [2]. DJ GQ was born as Gary Hardie[3] in Miami, Florida[4]. DJ GQ has been a sponsored DJ since he was 14 years old and has been the official DJ for Kevin Lyttle, Mr. Cheeks, Akon and Mr. Vegas[5]. DJ GQ currently works at Y100, a hit music station in Miami, Florida[6].
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hardie was born on August 10, 1978, in Miami, Florida and moved to Jamaica as a child[4]. His parents were of Chinese and Jamaican/Cuban heritage[4]. Hardie began spinning in Jamaican clubs, launching his career[1]. DJ GQ worked as a promoter as well in Jamaica, before attending Broward Community College from 1996 to 1998 for an associate degree in Graphic Design/Business [7].
DJ GQ also spent two years studying business at Florida Atlantic University from 1998 to 1999, then received an associates degree in Audio Engineering from Miami Dade College after studying there from 2003 through 2005. Hardie is currently attending City College, where he is expected to finish an associate degree in Broadcasting in 2013[7].
Career
Hardie first gained major recognition in the early 1990’s, when he received DJ sponsorships from companies including Pepsi and Appleton Rum[7]. DJ GQ has distributed more than 300,000 copies of his mixtapes around the world, which have shared the title “Let ‘Em Know,” and given volume numbers. His work has received positive reviews from well-known publications including USA Today, Hip-Hop Weekly and The Source magazine[8].
Hardie has been running DJ GQ, Inc. since 1995[7], and his event bookings have turned into an impressive list including the Super Bowl Official After Party in 1999 in Miami, Florida, the Heavyweight Explosion in 2000 in Manhattan, New York, after parties for Usher’s Tour in 2002, Kevin Lyttle’s European Tour in 2004, the Sony Ericsson WTA NASDAQ-100 Tennis Red Carpet event in 2006, Pepsi’s Stage for the DUB Custom Car Show in 2007, the Main Stage for the DUB Custom Car Show in 2007, The Diplomatic Club in Qatar and more[4][1]. In addition to Kevin Lyttle, Akon, Mr. Vegas and Mr. Cheeks, DJ GQ has spun for Pee Wee Kirkland and DMX[9][10].
In 2009, DJ GQ won the Film Recording Entertainment Council (FREC Award) for Best DJ Of The Year [11] Since January 2010, DJ GQ has been working for Y100 in Miami, Florida, a hit music station[6]. In 2011, DJ GQ was rated the sixth-best radio DJ in the United States by Radio Facts[12]. DJ GQ dubs himself “Mr. Let Em Know,” and most of his mixtapes include a recognizable sound bite of the rapper DMX yelling “GQ… let ‘em know!” [13]
References
- ^ a b c Clarke, Jewel "DJ GQ: An Interview with South Florida's Own "King of Clubs", "Night Cure", Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Unknown. "DJ GQ – Free listening, concerts, stats, & pictures at Last.fm", "Last.fm", Retrieved on 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Unknown. "Tragedy Almost Strikes for DJ GQ of Clear Channel's Y100/Miami", "www.allaccess.com", Retrieved on 24 September, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Unknown. "DJ GQ", "www.reference.com", Retrieved on 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Unknown "DJ GQ :: About This Artist", "ReverbNation.com", Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
- ^ a b Unknown. "DJ GQ, Newest Mixer at Clear Channel's Y100 (Top 40 CHR) in Miami, FL", "www.mi2n.com", Retrieved on 24 September, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Hardie, Gary. "DJ GQ", "LinkedIn.com", 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Admin. "DJ GQ (Press Update)", "PublicWizardInc.com", Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Uribe, Michelle. "DJ GQ gets the N.Y. Co-Sign" "PublicWizardInc.com" Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Unknown, "DJ GQ" "www.y100.com", Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
- ^ Paredes, Dennis. "DJ GQ, Newest Mixer at Clear Channel’s Y100 (Top 40 CHR) in Miami, FL" "hiphoppress.com" Retrieved 5 October, 2011.
- ^ Unknown. "Congratulations to “The Radio Facts 2011 Top 45 Current DJ” WINNERS!!!!" "RadioFacts.com" Retrieved 5 October, 2011.
- ^ DJ GQ. "DJ GQ" "DJGQ.com", Retrieved 24 September, 2011.
External links
Categories:- Living people
- People from Miami, Florida
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