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Ivan Doc Rodriguez

New York City DJ / Producer / Remixer (1960 To Present)

Ivan ìDocî Rodriguez also known professionally as ìDeejayDocî (DJ Doc) was born in beautiful Santurce, Puerto Rico and raised in the hot streets of New York City's Hell's Kitchen on 48th st. between 9th & 10th Avenues. The hottest block in New York City during the 1970's.

Growing up during the musical melting pot of the 1970s Doc was exposed to the most wonderful variety of soul, rock, and disco music available. That wonderful music stirred an interest in a young deejay Doc.

The turning point for Doc came on a memorable evening in 1975, he and his sister carmen went (for the first time) to the incredible "Ice Palace" on the top of a building in the West Side of Manhattan, somewhere in the 30's between 9th & 10th avenues inside of Sky Rink.

He remembers walking in (very nervous after using a fake id to enter) and "feeling" the incredible thumping bass from MFSB's "Love Is The Message." The mirror ball, the lights, the experience. Wow!

After listening to a few mixes he was so excited with the result that he decided to try and become a dj that very night. Very early the next morning he begged his dad for a few bucks then went out and purchased 2 BSR turntables and a Clubman (1 knob) mixer. That would be the beginning of something wonderful.

The "Ice Palace" led to visits at the "Inferno" and the "Starship Discovery" and so many, many more wonderful venues...

Doc moved on and learned how to listen for 1/4 notes, 1/8th notes, 16th notes and eventually became an excellent blender. He initially worked dozens of live gigs. Along with success came more and more wonderful gear. He went from 2 BSR's to 3 Technics SL-1200's, from a Clubman mixer to a Bozak mixer, from a pair of Gem Sound speakers to Cerwin Vega monitors. He built his own mobile furniture. He was mostly a mobile disc jockey with occasional appearances in popular clubs. Just a wonderful ride.

The mobile gig was a blast for some time but carrying the gear after the gig eventually became a real pain in the rear so Doc decided to work as a background DJ for artists that were on the road. The money was "much better" and all you carried were your records (only 5 to 10 records were necessary per 20 minute show) and signed an occasional autograph here and there (what's better than that?).

In the mid 1980's, during one of these shows Doc was approached by "Spyder-D", a rap artist / successful producer for Profile Records. He asked Doc to dj live for him on a tour. Doc accepted. During the tour Spyder took Doc into several recording studios and yet again the music bug bit Rodriguez, this time he wanted to learn how to make music from scratch. He did so.

Rodriguez then attended engineering school for one year. Once he graduated he became an intern engineer for a few weeks at Power Play Studios (NY) moving immediately on to staff engineer (working with the great Patrick Adams). He worked eight super successful years there before moving on to the Music Palace in West Hempstead, NY and Mirror Image Recording in Manhattan.

Doc then became an independent engineer working in studios throughout the world, speaking at music seminars worldwide and teaching privately in NY.

Rodriguez now lives and works in New York City. He works out of several commercial studios and runs a private digital facility, Mustrock Digital, New York.

Deejaydoc is the first Hispanic / Latino producer / remixer / engineer / disc jockey to have a creative role in the production of early hip hop records, many of which have since become legendary classics. His "Disco" background can be heard in many of his works (especially the LP "Enter The Lord" by the Chosen Ones on 1987 Select Records), just listen closely.

Rodriguez actually began his recording career by tracking and mixing classic 12" Singles for the VinlyMania label:
VMR#011 - Fascination: Why You Wanna Go and VMR#010 Eastbound Expressway: Rainstorm, before being approached by several hip hop artists requesting his "sound" for their records, the rest is music history.

As an engineer/mixer/producer, Ivan Rodriguez has worked on hundreds of recordings including some of the following:

All 5 of EMPD's LP recordings which include (5 gold / 1 platinum riaa awards) Strictly Business, Unfinished Business, Business As Usual, Business Never Personal, and Back In Business.

Krs-Oneís (2 gold riaa awards) legendary LP Criminal Minded and By All Means Necessary.

Biz Markieís (3 gold / 2 dbl platinum riaa awards) I Need A Haircut, Just A Friend.

Eric B and Rakimís (1 gold / 1 platinum riaa award) classic LP Paid In Full.

Rodriguez produced several recording artists including rap's #1 lady. MC Lyteís ìPoor Georgieî single (that included portions of the disco classic "Georgy Porgy"), which marked the first time a solo female rap act achieved a gold record.

Doc also engineered/coproduced the historic single, ìSelf Destruction,î which marked the first time ever that rival rap artists collaborated on a project with an overt social message, "peace"!

Rodriguezís continued to score platinum by engineering/mixing on the emmy award winning LP by rap legend LL Cool J, ìMama Said Knock You Outî

Doc also produced and mixed reggae music for the legendary Bunny Wailer and r&b material for Soul II Souls' Caron Wheeler.

He has engineered disco acts like the Main Ingredient and doo wop legend Rick Sheppard of the Drifters.

Even though he has gained incredible notoriety for his success in hip hop, Doc has recorded and mixed all genres of music with artists from around the globe.

The list of credits go on & on and are available for viewing @ www.allmusic.com.

Rodriguez continues producing / remixing / recording and mixing all genres of music today.

He has added mastering engineer to his resume and is now remastering disco classics for several prominent dj's (including Nelson "Paradise" Roman) and record labels.

Through it all his love for disco and soul music has never wavered.

His greatest "production" is the beautiful teenage daughter he raises, Crystal (Doc has made sure that she is very well versed on disco / soul music!).

Who knew that a Puerto Rican born kid from Hells Kitchen, renowned for being the hottest disco dj on the streets of Manhattan would become the first Latino superstar hip hop engineer / producer? A "disco kid" who's name now appears on millions of records worldwide and it all started with his love for disco music... Amazing!

You can reach Ivan "Doc" Rodriguez by email: recordmode@hotmail.com

Disco music forever!

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Posted by: DeeJayDoc

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