Jon
Foster, otherwise known as 'DJ Jon Doe', is a hip-hop
DJ/producer currently living in Atlanta, GA. The Kentucky
native was exposed to rock, soul, country, and jazz early
in life attributed to his family's appreciation for music.
Through the study of other DJ's, listening to records,
and endless hours of research and practice, Jon's skill
on the wheels flourished.
While in college, his natural ease on the tables eventually
landed him a spot on WKU's student-run radio station,
WHHR 91.7FM. The show was the first of it's kind at
WWHR and ran successfully for three years. Jon's role
at the station offered growth and savvy in radio, eventually
leading to the staff positions of Urban Music Director,
Music Director and Station Manager during his senior
year. He continued fervent study of hip-hop production,
mentored by the likes of Count Bass D and Victor Padilla
(The Mighty VIC of The Beatnuts fame). His college
radio endeavors led to an alliance with Eothen "Egon" Alapatt,
a fellow student and DJ at Vanderbilt University in
Nashville, TN. Shortly after graduating with his B.A.
in Broadcasting (emphasis in Radio and Television),
Jon and Alapatt hit the road, traveling to Memphis,
Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago, Atlanta, Little
Rock, and Birmingham. Their travels and research became
the foundation for the solid funk compilation "The
Funky 16 Corners" (released on Stones Throw Records),
and a remix of the Beastie Boy's seminal classic "Looking
Down the Barrel of a Gun" (Grand Royal) for a
forthcoming DVD Anthology.
In July of 2000, Jon moved to Atlanta to pursue fertile
ground, and it wasn't long before he and local hip-hop
giants, Prophetix decided to unite forces. Jon was
brought on as the DJ and producer, and the trio's first
12" single was "True Urban Grit" b/w "Prophetionals",
both of which he produced. This single sparked an intense
global buzz, setting the stage for a full-length release, "High
Risk," which provided Jon the experience of serving
as a producer, executive producer, engineer and A&R
all on one project. The LP was declared an instant
classic upon its August 2002 release, earning rave
reviews the world over. Elemental Magazine, URB Magazine,
Vice Magazine, Blues and Soul, and numerous other publications
gave the fresh production and slick rhymes of the LP
shining accolades. "High Risk" opened the
door to extensive travel and performances spanning
coasts, including recent shows in California with KRS-One,
who has personally hand-picked the group to accompany
him on tour.
Jon also produces for groups from several areas of
the world, including UK hip-hop collective The Planets,
and domestic acts Binkis Records and Scienz of Life.
His solo work continues via the soon to be released,
self-produced compilation "Meet Jon Doe",
which will feature hip-hop luminaries MF Doom, J. Sands,
Medaphoar, Declaime, and MF Grimm, in addition to releasing
bi-monthly mix CD's featuring hip-hop's newest and
freshest. He expresses his varied tastes with involvement
in the experimental hip-hop and instrumental outfit
Soul Slice, who just released a 45" in the Winter
of 2002 entitled "Angie's Suite" b/w "All
the Way Down".
His journey as a DJ has allowed him to share stages
with the likes of De La Soul, Camp-Lo, Talib Kweli,
Slum Village, Peanut Butter Wolf, Shorkut, Mr. Dibbs,
Lootpack, 7L and Esoteric, Count Bass D and Shortkut,
in addition to funk and soul legends Galt MacDermot,
Bernard Purdie, Wilbur Bascomb and Weldon Irvine.
The true definition of a renaissance artist, Jon Doe
and the promise of his works are something the hip-hop
nation and music lovers will have to look forward to
for years to come. |