What’s It Like To Be An NBA DJ?

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd? 

DJ Jung: Sean Paul’s “Get Busy (Remix).” It’s a classic and not the most obvious choice, which is why I like it. The moment you hear Sean Paul’s voice you know it’s going to be a party, plus the remix also features Fatman Scoop — if that’s not New York I don’t know what is! 

What’s the craziest athletic feat you’ve ever seen while at work?  

DJ Jung: Blake Griffin’s steal to a 180-spin pass to Mike James who threw it off the glass for a Kevin Durant dunk. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game?  

DJ M.I.L.: I served as lead music director in the NBA bubble during the 2020 NBA season restart, and part of my role was to curate home court atmospheres for teams …while there were no fans present. I was able to oversee the music production for the NBA Finals game where the Lakers won the championship, reinforcing for me just how important of a role music plays at NBA games — and sporting events as a whole — and how essential music is for players and fans alike. 

What’s the craziest athletic feat you’ve seen at work?  

Unfortunately it ended up being a loss, but I’d have to say watching Kemba Walker score 60 points in a 2018 game against the 76ers. Everyone in the building could feel something special happening. 

What’s the best part of your job?  

One is the fast-paced, high pressure scenario we are in. It’s a job that requires you to react to every part of the game and be able to match the energy, or move the energy in a completely different direction as quickly as the momentum can change in the game itself. For someone like me, that high awareness activity is good for my brain, and it really allows me to practice my ability to focus and block out distractions.  

The other is the people. Seeing people enjoy themselves from the players lip singing during warm-ups, to kids getting up and dancing, their parents getting up and dancing, to spontaneous dance battles, to people smiling when they hear something they like, to the ushers dancing at the bottom of the aisles and the people that stop and say hello every single game.  

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd? 

The Andy Pitch remix of Show W.S.’ “Reworking Booyah.” And if it’s not that, it’s Pitbull.  Pitbull is a mastermind when it comes to creating arena sounds. It’s funny because he used to be the DJ for the Florida Marlins. When I found that out, it made a ton of sense, because he clearly knew what plays well [at a sports venue].  

What is the best part of your job? 

I’m a Dallas kid, so my favorite part is seeing kids and families coming in and enjoying the game and vibing to the music, because I look at them and think [about how] that used to be me and my family. To help create Mavs fans for life is definitely the most rewarding part of my job. I can’t control the score or how somebody’s day went, but hopefully for those three hours, I can make them forget about what they need to forget about and help them have a good time. 

How did you get the NBA gig?  

DJ Prevu: In 2011, we had a change in ownership. They brought in a lot of new directors and a different show vision for our games. Some of the directors came out to a few events I was hosting and DJing around the city. I made connections and they brought me in. 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd?  

DJ Prevu: “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” by Fedde Le Grand. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

DJ Chachi: One night I just felt like doing a lot of deep old school cuts from Wu-Tang Clan, Pete Rock, Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, etc. After the game, Pistons legend Isiah Thomas came up to me and gave me a fist bump and told me how “dope the music was tonight.” Not just that, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and [game analyst] Jalen Rose gave me love for the music that night as well. It was pretty amazing for me! 

What’s the best part of your job? 

DJ Chachi: Having this job. It is my dream job. To DJ for the team I grew up loving so much — wore their Starter jacket as kid, imitated the Bad Boys while I played on the local courts and in school — it still never gets old walking into the building every game. It’s always emotional for me every single game. You have no idea how humbled I am to do what I do. 

How did you get the NBA gig? 

The first Warriors DJ, DJ Solomon, saw me performing with Blackalicous and asked me to DJ a set with him at a Warriors game. After that, I would fill in for him. Then, in 2012 DJ Solomon was in a fatal accident, and the Warriors offered me the job. It was definitely bittersweet for me.  Rest in Peace DJ Solomon. 

What’s your go–to song to pump up the crowd? 

There are several, but I would pick a House remix I did of E-40’s “Choices.”   

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

One is the 2015 Finals Game 6 when we won the championship. The team was away, and I was playing a watch party at the packed Oracle Arena [in Oakland, Calif.]. That was the best energy I ever felt from fans. The second is [in March 2019] when I got word that Nipsey Hustle had been shot but hadn’t passed yet. I played “Last Time That I Checc’d” during a timeout, and the whole team got up and danced to pay respect to Nipsey. 

How did you get the NBA gig? 

The former in-arena DJ had to announce a game due to the original PA announcer catching strep throat. On game day, about 90 minutes before doors opened, I received a phone call from the DJ requesting that I arrive at the arena. I had no direction of what I would be doing; the only advice he gave me was, “If you don’t mess this up, you’ll be in a good position.” I grabbed my Rockets jersey, hurried out the door and ended up spinning during the game during timeouts. The following season I was granted the opportunity to co-DJ every Rockets home game! I became the full-time in-arena DJ during the ‘21-’22 season. 

What’s the craziest athletic feat you’ve seen at work? 

With 45 seconds left on the clock versus the Orlando Magic, James Harden had a 60-point triple -double and broke Calvin Murphy’s single-game team scoring record. 

What’s the best part of your job? 

Communicating with my directors, staying on track with presentation and keeping up with the game, players, situational circumstances, all makes me feel like I’m actually in the game. 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd?  

“Turbulence” by Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke featuring Lil Jon. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game?  

Dr. Dre was at one of our playoff games last season, and I was told we were going to show him on the videoboard at some point. I knew I’d be prompted to play a song of his for a few seconds before we showed him, as it builds anticipation. I cued up “The Next Episode” to a point in the song where it would make the most sense to play. When prompted, I hit play and it timed out perfectly: as soon as the fans saw him on the videoboard, the lyrics said, “It’s the one and only D.R.E.” The DJ nerd in me was very proud of that moment.   

What’s the best part of your job?  

Getting paid to do what I love while watching the sports I love. I’m definitely living a dream. 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd? 

“Whoop That Trick” by Memphis rapper Al Kapone — from the movie Hustle & Flow that is based in Memphis — is our go-to fan favorite. We usually reserve this moment for playoffs, but it has definitely become a Grizzlies anthem over the years.   

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game?  

One bittersweet moment was the game after Young Dolph passed in 2021. The city was still in mourning, and we discussed doing a tribute to Dolph, as we had done for DMX, only this one hit home. I wanted to make sure it was right, and the fans really appreciated it. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

The ones that stand out are the ones where I’m able to do a welcome shout out to the many artists who come to our arena, the Kaseya Center. I’ve welcomed some of the biggest artists in all genres like Drake, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Future, Lil Wayne, El Alfa, Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Rick Ross, Flo Rida, Mark Wahlberg, DJ Khaled and more.  

What’s the best part of your job? 

Engaging and interacting with our fans. The power of music is strong, but there’s nothing greater than being able to use my voice to get 18,000 screaming fans to make some nooooooooiiiisssseeee. What a rush that is, especially when it comes at a pivotal moment in the game. That could be the small spark plug or burst of energy that our guys need in order to close it out. And, being a hometown kid, it makes me even more proud that I’m able to put on for my city. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game?  

It happened during the Bucks’ 2021 Championship run as the world was coming out of a pandemic and fans were slowly incorporated back into the Fiserv Forum. The magical combination of people gathering again as the Bucks continued advancing through the playoffs, making it to the Finals and eventually becoming champions made for a really unique situation as a DJ. Anything I played, the fans reacted to with everything they had.  

What’s the best part of your job? 

Not only am I DJing for the best basketball players in the world, in the best professional league, but I am doing it in my hometown of Milwaukee, for every fan that comes through the doors of Fiserv Forum. As a former professional basketball player myself, it really doesn’t get much better than the two things —basketball and music — that I am passionate about the most. They have collided in a way I never expected for my career. 

How did you get the NBA gig?  

I was part of a group [of Native American artists put together by Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas during the Standing Rock Movement in 2016] that won a 2017 MTV Video Music Award [for a song related to the protest]. Because of this, I performed at a few NBA halftime shows and events for a few NBA teams and made relationships. One of those NBA teams I had worked with happened to be looking for a resident DJ — my home team, the Oklahoma City Thunder!  [At the time] I wasn’t traveling because of COVID-19, so the timing worked out. We experimented that year with all the COVID protocols — no fans allowed — and four seasons later, fans are back at full blast. I’ve now successfully rebooted my 20-plus-year career around home games and love getting to play in the NBA! Well, play music in the NBA.  

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd?  

This depends on the moment or stage of the game, but I’m biased and love to play “Pump it” by Black Eyed Peas. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

I’m one of only two or three Indigenous artists in the whole league. Every year, the Thunder have Native American Heritage Night. Since I’ve been here, we’ve brought in musicality across the tribal spectrum, from Oklahoma drum groups to artists like Supaman & PJ Vegas, the son of Pat Vegas from Redbone. I’m not sure I have a favorite “moment” per se, but in the top moments are the ones where the Thunder has platformed these Indigenous voices and songs! 

How did you get the NBA gig? 

I used to DJ the Orlando Magic Pre-Game Fan Fest events outside the Amway Center; then the Orlando Magic made some changes to the in-game entertainment and gave me a shot to come rock inside the arena. I haven’t been back outside since.

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd? 

The ultimate pump up song is our remix of the Orlando Magic theme song which we play when we win! While we are in-game, DJ Snake & Lil Jon’s “Turn Down For What” always works well. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

When Shaq came over to me and said he’s a fan and has been listening to me for years on the radio and to keep rocking! 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd?  

I don’t have a particular go-to song because the fans dictate the level of energy I’m trying to match during each game. I do have a couple of songs in my stash that I keep locked and loaded — but you’ll have to be at the games to get the full experience. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game?  

That one is easy. It was the famous moment when Damian Lillard took the game-winning shot and the goodbye wave against Oklahoma City during the 2022 playoffs. Playing the beat [of Bonecrusher’s “Never Scared”] in anticipation of what could be either the most monumental or devastating moments is such a rush. 

How did you get the NBA gig? 

I was a DJ for a few of [longtime Spurs player] Tony Parker’s private events, including [at] his then-nightclub, Nueve Lounge. A few of the Spurs game operations staff members took notice in 2013. 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd? 

I’ve created countless audio remixes with different hype samples to facilitate crowd reactions, but if I had to pick one track, I’d say the DJ Quake edit of “El Sonidito” by Hechizeros Band. 

What’s the best musical moment you’ve ever had while DJing a game? 

Creating the audio for the opening of the Spurs 50th anniversary game at [San Antonio’s] Alamodome in January [2023], an event that marked the largest NBA crowd in regular-season history. Getting to see the crowd’s reaction was something I’ll always remember. 

How did you get the NBA gig? 

The VP of marketing saw me performing at a private party and slipped me her card.  

What’s your go–to song to pump up the crowd? 

I’m currently in my 19th season as the Raptors DJ, so there have been a lot of go-to songs over the years. One banger that never fails is “Jungle Bae” by Jack Ü featuring Bunji Garlin & MX Prime.  

What’s the best musical moment you’ve had while DJing a game? 

If I had to pick one, it would be watching Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at our Raptors tailgate in Maple Leaf Square with Drake and the whole OVO crew onstage with me and playing “Started From The Bottom” right after we won the chip. It felt like the entire country was singing along with us.  

What’s the best part of your job? 

I’m a kid from Toronto, a basketball fanatic and a lifelong Raptors fan, and I’m now a major part of this organization. I have an NBA Championship ring with my name on it. This entire journey has been a dream come true! 

What’s your go-to song to pump up the crowd?  

“Make My Day” by Coi Leray and David Guetta.

What’s the craziest game or play you’ve seen at work?

When the Jazz scored 145 points against the Raptors. 

What’s the best part of your job?

Knowing that I am creating a unique and unforgettable experience of joy and memories for all the attendees.