Our next feature DJ on the Buzz is definitely no stranger to the site. He is a two time winner of our infamous remix polls and he has been a huge supporter of the Buzz for years now. You can find his remixes for the Buzz on his MySpace player http://www.myspace.com/djchrisbaraket . We applaud him for his patience in waiting in the long line-up of DJs wanting to be featured on our site and thank him for his support!!

A-LIST DJ!!! CHRIS BARAKET!!

Chris hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania and has been working the scene for quite some time now. He has over, “20 years experience with radio mix show programming, remix & voice over production, as well as a long list of nightclub gigs.“ (Chris Baraket) Originally a passionate follower of Progressive House music, “…Over the past few years, the growing popularity of Mash-ups & Remixes has opened a door to an “open format” approach for him. I (He) feel/s that this gives the DJ an opportunity to play basically every genre to provide a great party atmosphere.” (cited from his Buzz exclusive DJ Survey). Chris is an artist who never stops the grind and is constantly looking for ways to promote his name and push his networking opportunities. Chris’s many years working inside the radio division of the industry helped to shape his ability to excel at self-promotion and marketing. His name can be found all over the Internet and on internationally recognized industry record and remixing pools such as: Crack4DJs, Yourremix, Dramamix, Secretremixes, Clubbangaz and Extreemeremixes, to name a few! Chris has learned the fine art of survival in the business, especially in this challenging economy. His savvy approach has lead him across the nation to spin at top venues in": “Philadelphia, Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Hoboken, Jersey City, Lodi, Paramus, Cherry Hill, Atlantic City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Orlando, Dallas.” According to his Buzz exclusive survey, “Right now I hold a residency @ SILK on Friday nights.”

Chris Baraket is an example of 100% commitment to the game. His passion for his work drives him to keep one step ahead of the competition at all times and to keep his name elevated in the limelight!! He has diversified his skill set to include the full range from Mash-up mixing, radio mc work, deejaying, vmixing, producing, media managing, promotion etc. Chris is completely self-sufficient and prefers it that way. He depends very little on outside sources to keep him current. He enjoys the challenges that come with mastering new technologies and techniques that will enhance his performance and chances at industry success. Chris possesses the full package when approaching any gig. In addition to his advanced technical skill set, Chris has learned the fine art of the power of professional presence. His confidence can be seen in how he presents himself within a club environment and in the public eye. He is savvy and always appropriately appointed for his events or work commitments. His years of public service work in the radio industry, likely taught Chris just how powerful self-promotion and presentation is. It is key to Chris that his clients are satisfied come the night’s end. This includes everyone from the A-lister crowds that he performs for, to the everyday patron who comes out to the club to escape their daily grind. Being “spontaneous”  as Baraket notes in his Buzz exclusive DJ Survey, allows him the liberty of tweaking his sets, so that he is able to meet this objective to satisfy his dance floor. Customer satisfaction is a number one priority when Chris is on the decks. He can provide showmanship if that is what’s required of him, but for the most part, Chris buckles down in the booth and quickly gets to the business of whipping up hawt sets filled with the latest crowd pleasers and THEN SOME!!

PERCOLATE THE BOOM POW DJ CHRIS BARAKET VIDEO

In examining his list of credentials, it’s obvious that Chris is very active outside of his nightclub affiliations, as he engages himself in remix contests, radio shows, social networking, remix record pool affiliations and trade publication associations, all with the purpose of keeping a breast of the latest trends and to keep his profile active and elevated.

Chris Baraket was born to drop the beats and it’s a passion he chose to make as his career. His deep commitment to the industry is evident in every action that he takes. He is not an artist to sit idle and he seeks opportunity before it even has a chance to knock!! It is our pleasure to finally be able to feature this long-time supporter of the Buzz.  He tracked us down and we certainly are glad that he did. His incredible remixing work took the Buzz by storm and he will remain forever a part of our Buzz story. Please be sure to continue to follow HIS story by befriending him on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. He is a very approachable DJ and an artist who loves to please his fans when treated respectfully. 

www.myspace.com/djchrisbaraket
www.facebook.com/djchrisbaraket

http://twitter.com/chrisbaraket

CHRIS BARAKET WITH MTV’S THE HILL’S CELEBRITY AUDRINA!!

NIGHTCLUBS:

Oliver j’s (Allentown PA), TK’s (Allentown PA), PD
Shooters (Allentown PA), Zodiac (Allentown PA),
Phoenix (Allentown, PA), Dimensions (Bethlehem PA),
O’Kelly’s (Reading, PA), Jetport (Allentown PA), Planet
Cherry Hill Cherry Hill NJ), Excaliber (Cherry Hill NJ),
Foxes (Jersey City NJ), Tribecca (Lodi NJ), Loop Lounge
(Clifton NJ), Baseline (Philadelphia PA), Maui (Philadelphia
PA), Cobalt (Philadelphia PA), Main Event (Philadelphia
PA), Shooters (Hoboken NJ), Studio Studio
(Manhattan NYC), Glamorama (Manhattan NYC), Blu
Lounge (Paramus NJ), Boca Joes Beach Club (Allentown
PA), Flashbacks (Allentown PA), The Bar With No
Name (Bethlehem PA), Montana West (Coopersburg
PA), Jabberwocky (Easton PA), Bar 5 (Easton PA), Club
Beyond (Easton PA), Retro 3000 (Allentown PA), Illuminations
(Allentown PA), 40 Below (Bethlehem PA), Pig
Pen (Allentown PA), Dusk (Atlantic City NJ).

TRADE PUBLICATIONS:

Mixshow Reporter: S.I.N., FMQB, Radio & Records,
Hitmakers

RADIO MIXSHOWS:

1990 - 1991 “The Friday Happy Hour”
WBHV 103.5 The Beaver State College, PA. A One Hour Weekly Show
(Pre-Recorded).
1990 - 1994 “Club Heat”
The Satellite Music Network Dallas, TX. Syndicated To 163 Stations
(Pre-Recorded).
1991 - 1995 “The Friday Night Supermix”
Laser 104.1 FM Allentown, PA. A Two Hour Weekly Show
(Pre-Recorded).
1994 - 1995 “The Party Train”
WYXR Star 104.5 Philadelphia, PA. A Four Hour Weekly Show
(Pre-Recorded).
1995 - 1997 “Saturday Night Live”
Five Hour Live Broadcast From Maui & Cobalt On WYXR Star 104.5
Philadelphia, PA.
1996 - 1997 “The All Mix Weekend”
WIOQ Q 102 Philadelphia, PA. Guest DJ For 2 Events In 96 And 97
(Pre-Recorded).
1996 - 2006 “The B-Zone”
WAEB B 104.1 FM Lehigh Valley, PA. A Three Hour Weekly Show
(Pre-Recorded)
2003 - 2006 “The Saturday Night Dance Party”
Four Hour Live Broadcast From Illuminations On WAEB B 104.1 FM
Lehigh Valley, PA.

REMIX CONTESTS:

TKA - “Give Your Love To Me”
2nd Place Tommyboy Records.
ELECTRONIC - “Feel Every Beat”
2nd Place Warner Bros. Records.
US3 - “Cantaloop”
2nd Place S.I.N. / Capital Records.
VANESSA WILLIAMS - “Running Back To You”
5th Place S.I.N. / Mercury Records.
www.fettybe.com AC/DC Readers Poll Remix Contest 1st Place.
www.fettybe.com MADONNA Readers Poll Remix Contest 1st Place.

MASHUP AND REMIX SERVICES:

www.crack4djs.com
www.yourremix.com
www.dramamix.com
www.secretremixes.com
www.clubbangaz.com
www.extreemeremixes.com

FETTY BE’S BUZZ OFFICIAL BUZZ DJ SURVEY FOR

DJ CHRIS BARAKET!

I have always used my real name.

I am really partial to House & Progressive. Over the past few years, the growing popularity of Mash-ups & Remixes has opened a door to an “open format” approach. I feel that this gives the DJ an opportunity to play basically every genre to provide a great party atmosphere.

Scott Blackwell (perhaps the father of the Mash-up), & Glenn Friscia. These two DJ’s made me aware that there is more to Djing than just beat mixing.

DJ Chris Baraket and Danny Tenaglia 

Seeing the crowd reaction when I drop in one of my own remixes, or Mash-ups.

BILLIE JEAN'S CRUEL SUMMER DJ CHRIS BARAKET VIDEO

In a nut shell: “can you play my song next because we are leaving soon”.

Soprano’s HBO cast party live radio broadcast @ Illuminations.

XS or PURE in Las Vegas with DJ Vice or Z-Trip. Oh, add one electric violinist and Tommy Lee on drums.

Philadelphia, Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Hoboken, Jersey City, Lodi, Paramus, Cherry Hill, Atlantic City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Orlando, Dallas. Right now I hold a residency @ SILK on Friday nights.

Hmmm, Palladium NYC.

I like to be spontaneous and play to the crowd. However, there are times when planning out your sets really becomes useful.

1.) Design of the club layout (DJ booth, dance floor, seating & VIP, bar locations, & bathrooms). 2.) Sound system. 3.) Light show.

I would have to say Mash-up/Hip Hop because it lets me hit all genres.

This is a tough one! I guess it all depends on where I am playing and want the crowd is feeling, but if I had to choose, I guess it would be East Coast.

I use a Mac Book Pro in the clubs. In the studio I use both. It depends what programs I’m using and the type of work I’m doing.

This is a tough one to narrow down to three! I guess my personal favorites are: “You Used To Hold Me” Ralphi Rosario Feat Xavier Gold, “Satisfaction” Benny Benassi, “Push It” Salt N Pepa, in no particular order of course.

Booking Contact Info: chrisbaraket@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/djchrisbaraket

KEEPING THE BEAT WITH ONLY THE ONE AND ONLY DJ CHRIS BARAKET!!!

Straight from the sunshine of Las Vegas, DJ Scene drops his latest release Epic Shine. Inspired by his weekly residency at Liquid pool (Aria, City Center) Epic Shine is a glimpse into the daylife pool parties of Las Vegas, moving through multiple genres of house music and incorporating selective hip hop vocals.

No stranger to daylife, DJ Scene won ‘Best Pool DJ’ at the 2010 Las Vegas DJ awards and has DJed everywhere from Wet Republic at MGM Grand to ‘Ditch Fridays’ at the Palms pool.

Epic Shine is 33 of the hottest tracks and includes exclusive remixes, edits and live blends from DJ Scene.

01 Sun is Shining (Dirty South Remix) – Yanou (:00)
02 Pursuit of Happiness (Them Jeans Remix) – Kid Kudi (:54)
03 Spaceship – Benny Benassi ft. Kelis, Apl.De.Ap & Jean-Baptiste (1:53)
04 Pon De Floor (Scene) – Major Lazer w/ Estelle (2:39)
05 Ghettoblaster – Afrojack & Bobby Burns (3:53)
06 Watch The Club Go – DJ Bam Bam ft. Mr. Robotic (5:30)
07 Pump Up The Jam (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Remix) – Technotronic (6:12)
08 Over (Scene) – Laidback Luke w/ Drake (6:57)
09 Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix) – MSTRKRFT ft. John Legend (9:09)
10 Alright – Pitbull ft. Machel Montano (9:38)
11 My Chick Bad (Scene remix) – Ludacris (10:39)
12 Gypsy (Scene) – Chuckie w/ Crystal Waters (12:24)
13 Rap Das Armas (Gregor Salto & Chuckie Remix) – Cidinho & Doca (13:05)
14 I’m In The House – Steve Aoki ft. Zuper Blahq (14:19)
15 Pacha On Acid (Scene) – Afrojack w/ DJ Class (16:47)
16 Beamer, Benz or Bentley (Scene Remix) – Lloyd Banks (18:01)
17 Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (19:16)
18 Bulletproof (DiscoTech Remix) – La Roux (21:58)
19 Leave The World Behind – Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello & Laidback Luke (24:32)
20 Hey Hey – Dennis Ferrer (25:50)
21 Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke/ Scene) – Wynter Gordon w/ Rick Ross (29:07)
22 Kixxx (Tristan Garner/ Scene) – Gregori Klosman & Danny Wild w/ Drake (31:30)
23 I Remember – Deadmau5 & Kaskade (33:14)
24 You and I (Deadmau5 Remix) – Medina (34:57)
25 Dynasty (Dada Life Remix) – Kaskade ft. Haley (36:40)
26 One (FourColorZack) – Swedish House Mafia (38:09)
27 My Friend (Scene) – Global Deejays ft. Ida Corr w/ Public Enemy (40:23)
28 My Feelings For You – Avicii & Sebastien Drums (41:59)
29 Add Suv (Armand Van Helden Remix) – Uffie & Pharrell (44:21)
30 Stereo Love – Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina (46:36)
31 I’m In Love – Alex Gaudino (48:22)
32 Bromance (Avicii/ Alviin & Da Frenchy) – Tim Berg w/ Amanda Wilson (49:52)
33 Phazing (Tiesto Remix) – Dirty South ft. Rudy (52:40)

DOWNLOAD
http://dj-scene.com/epicshine.zip

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There is absolutely nothing like being given the full VIP treatment when heading out for a night on the town. This is exactly the experience that I had recently during my first visit to a new night club/restaurant called SAPPHIRE, that has been taking the East Bay “scene” by storm. According to a recent poll in Diablo Magazine taken in July 2010, of THE BEST nightlife venues in the East Bay, it topped the list according to voters. “We finally have a downtown nightclub vibe without driving to the city. Sapphire Restaurant and Lounge is a great place to work off the calories while dancing with friends." -Julia Anne Hawkins, Livermore (Cited from: http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/July-2010/Best-of-the-East-Bay-Fun-amp-Nightlife/ )

It’s been quite a while since the East Bay has been graced with a club that actually provides the essence of Vegas-style partying protocol, complete with bottle service, multiple bars, media, top name DJs and VIP seating. There is a hired private security force who take their job VERY seriously and a dress code that appears to be enforced. Formerly a vacant building for over a year and the Round House Grill before that, Sapphire is located beside the Bank Head Theater. It was a space that has been begging for the right investors. It needed visionaries who could help to infuse a higher level of nightlife into the downtown core of Livermore, while also making the space multi-functional, in that it is a restaurant by day and a nightclub by night. In this economy, it has been this sort of combination has enabled nightclubs and ultra lounges a better chance at survival.

Fetty Be With SAPPHIRE OWNERS John Mederos and Brandon Laidlaw

Both owners Brandon Laidlaw and John Mederos possessed this insight while constructing their new business and they’re created the perfect space to meet the needs of clients during all times of the day! According to a staff writer for the California State Pioneer Newspaper, Danyelle Garcia, Sapphire is, “open daily for lunch and dinner. The menu features a wide range of appetizers, including soup, salad and varieties of fried seafood.Main entrees include Petaluma free range chicken, lamb, Nieman Ranch beef and an assortment of seafood and shellfish.The restaurant also offer late night snacks ranging from sweet potato French fries to pulled pork slider sandwiches for those who drop in for drinks and dancing.“ (Cited from: http://pioneer.csuhayward.edu/PioneerWeb/PioneerNews1-28-10/PioneerNews1-28-10-Page6.pdf )

The impression that I got from the onset of my arrival in Livermore, was that the club is very easy to locate and it’s right beside a massive parking lot! How convenient! I was concerned that we might get ticketed, like we’ve experienced frequently in Modesto, but this was not the case. There was a modest line when we arrived at the club and quite a few nicely dressed people sitting outside in the patio area smoking or talking. The outside area was very bright and well lit for patrons. The line to get in wasn’t too daunting, but there were plenty of nicely appointed security staff checking ID and dress attire. I wasn’t standing in the line 5 minutes before I was swiftly whisked through my security check and entry process courtesy of Nokturnal Bliss’s Jose Garcia!

Fetty Be with Jose Garcia and DJ Jason Dee’s Lovely Jenny!

He was selected to make sure I was given full VIP and I MUST say, he treated me like fam!! We were invited to join the VIP tables with full bottle service that had been reserved for Inkestry, on it’s Grand Opening party!! The vibe was flowing from the moment that we stepped inside the doors. It was a little unusual to sit so close to the front door, but on the flipside, according to other patrons who I have interviewed about the club who have had this VIP location, they liked it due to it’s visibility and accessibility to whomever enters the venue. Being that the club is a restaurant during the day and a dance bar at night, it’s more challenging to offer lush VIP seating. Tables and chairs have to be moved on a regular basis, so the space itself needs to be adaptive. What the VIP may lack in opulence, the club environment MORE than makes up for in it’s richly appointed and eclectic decor! From the ultra-modern track lighting over the bar areas to a state-of-the-art sophisticated dance club lighting system, Mederos and Laidlaw have definitely invested heavily into the creation of this business.

The space boasts beautiful use of granite, earthy-colored tile work, ultra-modern dropped ceiling designs for sound and aesthetic enhancement, customized ice-cube designed plexi-glass for seating/space barriers, backlighting behind the bars, mirrors, an ATM machine (good planning!), a raised DJ/Band platform performance space with moveable cart, massive professionally created club signage behind the performance space, specialized industrial floor treatment for both safety and cleanliness, heavy duty brocade-like fabrics to compliment the tile work. I HOPE that they have a coat-check once the chilly weather returns! Just had to get that plug in there! These are just a FEW of the amenities and treatments that I observed during my inaugural visit.

The dance space itself is VERY functional in my opinion, compared to other clubs I have reviewed of this size and gave evidence that thought had definitely been put into it’s creation! The flow of the space works from a safety stand point too. There are two bars almost opposite one another, with the big dance space in-between and the bathroom being located right between the performance space and secondary bar. This is convenient for the DJ or performer for those quick time-outs and extended mixes! The elevated platform and movable DJ cart also allows the venue to offer both live and DJ-based performances. There was a slight issue with the open wires on the platform and potential for tripping on the stage space. However, that could easily be rectified with using floor cord covers. No big deal, but it might help to prevent a DJ’s set and the club vibe from coming to a complete halt in the middle of a gig!

 CUSTOMIZED DROPPED CEILING ORNAMENTATION!

The staff are amazingly friendly! They appear happy, are uniformly dressed and don’t appear stressed out or rude, despite a full house! We were given shots courtesy of Jose and enjoyed celebrating the night with birthday boys DJ Thumper and AlterEgo’s very own Eric Lopez!!

ALTEREGO’S  ERIC LOPEZ

DJ THUMPER

The drinks were very generous in terms of the alcohol and the table service was fantastic. I decided to do an on-the-spot interview with a fellow patron in the ladies restroom, which was clean and in good repair. There aren’t a massive number of stalls, but an appropriate number for the size of the space. The lady that I randomly spoke with stated that she had been to the club on numerous occasions and always enjoyed the vibe. She said the service was outstanding and that the place was always clean. She noted that sometimes the music wasn’t always in sync with her own likes, but she understood that a variety of music needs to be offered in order to please a range of tastes in the clientele. Her overall take was a plus and after doing some reading on the Internet at sites such as Yelp, the general consensus is also on the positive.

Jose Garcia, DJ Jason Dee and Bday Boy DJ Thumper

One of the biggest surprises that I had for the evening was that the crowd was not a classic “ghetto” crowd, tolerating a lower BPM of music and one I would have expected to find at a smaller more rural venue. It was actually a relatively music savvy crowd that gave the impression that they were young working urbanites, out for a night of fun or perhaps some college students still off on summer vacation. DJ Jason Dee did a dope job feeling out the crowd and he took them up and down through both mainstream AND House remixes, which truly shocked me. The crowd seemed more responsive to the faster music!!

Jose Garcia of Nokturnal Bliss had explained to us that this club was definitely a more upscale venue compared to others on the downtown Livermore strip and that many of their patrons do travel a distance to attend the events. The space is not just for locals. Jose has brought in very reputable and well-known San Francisco DJ names such as: Don Lynch, Jay Espinosa, Hella Miles, DJ Panic City, and DJ Slick D just to name a few. Garcia is highly respected in the promotional aspect of the industry and has had many years in the business dating back to his years at the recently closed Aura in Pleasanton and is now doing additional promotional work and hosting parties at clubs around the bay.

I came to Sapphire hoping to find great things. I was saddened when my old haunt Aura Night Club in Pleasanton, shut it’s doors this year. I have always been drawn to it’s multi-dance space feature, the fact that it played House music in the East Bay and that it possessed a history of being a reputable club in the night life world. I came expecting Sapphire to fill big shoes and a big void for me! What I found in Sapphire pleased me immensely. The space has much potential and I give the owners John Mederos and Brandon Laidlaw massive kudos for executing the interior design and functionality of the club to suit both the size of it’s location and the temperature of the nation’s economy. It is also refreshing to see club owners onsite hustling alongside their employees. That is a recipe for success in my opinion!

Owner Brandon Working Behind The Bar….

Sapphire definitely offers something for everyone. It’s a chameleon in the industry that alters it’s colors to suit the mood of the moment! I encourage all East Bay residents who are looking for a fun, SAFE night out without travelling too far, to hit this new nightlife gem in the East Bay area called Sapphire. It’s a little club with GRAND IDEAS AND A VIBE THAT IS DELIVERED WITH PRECISION!

VEGAS STYLE IN LIVERMORE!

Keeping the beat fresh and sparkling with SAPPHIRE!

January 8, 2010

He’s the DJ, I’m the wrapper

“Didn’t cereal boxes use to suck less?

My memory, when I was a kid, is that the backs of non-healthy cereal boxes were pretty great. They had mazes, they had word searches, they had stories and diagrams for cut-out models. They had descriptions of the little toy inside the box that made is sound much less lame than it really was.

But this morning I looked in the cereal shelf and the boxes didn’t exactly bring out my inner child. Cocoa Krispies wanted me to read “Keep ‘n’ Clip Recipes.” Yeah, that’s what kids want: “Entertaining Made Easy.” Just like Moms want to put Cocoa Krispies in their party appetizers. Cinnamon Life (not a healthy cereal in the Special K mold!) had a big picture of…a bowl of Cinnamon Life. Wow, that’s awesome. Prop that up behind your actual bowl of Cinnamon Life and you have a witty, Magritte-style commentary on modern life. (“Ceci n’est pas la Vie aux Cannelle.”) Kids’ll love that. Oh, it also had some long boring spiel about B-vitamins that made me want to swallow my tongue. Give my tongue to Mikey. He’ll eat anything.

Only Reese’s Puffs didn’t let me down! Reese’s apparently has a strong corporate interest in molding America’s children into…hip-hop DJs. Today’s installment: the Official Reese’s Puffs DJ Name Mixer. If you ever wondered how all your hip-hop favorites got their names…well, you should have been LOOKING FOR THAT INFORMATION ON A @#%&ING CEREAL BOX, DUMB-ASS! Because now you know!

This is absolutely correct information about the world of hip-hop, straight out of Compton. For example, Tupac Shakur grew up on Tupac Street, and had a gerbil called Shakur. TRUE FACT.

So I guess I just have to decide if I’m going to be Thyrty-Eyghth Northeast Watson the Parakeet, or Anton Chigurh W. Peace.”  

CITED FROM: http://ken-jennings.com/blog/?p=1536

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. I am not a DJ, but I'm "DJ FRIENDLY"!!!! I DON'T EVER REQUEST SONGS FROM DJS AT GIGS...even IF they are my good friends. It drives ME FREAKIN' NUTS watching people line up (esp drunk ppl) to bother DJs with requests. It's so RUDE! I WANT TO TAKE THEM OOOOOOOOUT!!! YOU TELL'EM BROTHER!!! It's SO TRUE!!!! WORD.