DJ Dr.B rocks Milwaukee

Hip-gyrating, jiggly middle-schoolers at Malcolm X Academy School grew noticeably jigglier when veteran deejay Dr. B settled into his home behind twin turntables recently at an after school dance. With concentrated intensity, he spun a red, translucent vinyl record of the teenage hit song "Bia Bia" through his fingers, then placed it on the turntable.

To reward students for staying in school with no suspensions or referrals and keeping up with their school work, Dr. B and his B Boy Productions spun an hour-long dance in the school gymnasium. Every song kept them on the dance floor. Every song was their favorite.

"Dr. B is top of the line," says Latish Yeboa, an Assistant Principal at Malcolm X. "And our kids have to have the best," she adds proudly.

Whether it is the organized chaos of a school dance for teenagers, or the quiet calm of a private "Old School" party for the sophisticated and refined, Dr. B has managed to adjust and adapt in Wisconsin, and on the national music scene, for over 20 years.

"I used to put on records for my family, and they would dance and nod their heads at me in approval," he remembers. Even then, he realized he had been let into an elite and older "DJ world," ruled by "adults," even though he was only nine years old.

"At 14, my first show was for only $5 in cash and a ride," he laughs.

"You must bring the same amount of quality to a show whether it is for $5 or $5,000" says the self-proclaimed Dr., who was born Marvin Beckley. Beckley is the product of Vincent and Marshall High Schools and earned accolades from Carroll College's broadcasting department.

Dr. B feels out the crowd first and then the music. Once he plays it, others feel it too. "I vibe with, and off, of the crowd. I am going to meet them with the same energy they meet me with," he says.

The non-drinking, non-smoking Dr. B gets his energy from other places as well, like his 14-year old son Arick, who has a hand in keeping Dr. B motivated and socially in tune.

The spelling of his son's name is one of many subtle ways Dr. B stays true to his societal beliefs. He believes in education as reflected by his company's slogan, "Stop the Violence - Increase the Knowledge." At the time his son was born, there was a nagging and deadly rise in the popularity of AK-47 assault rifles. Though ultimately he believes in the right to bear arms, he says, "Those kinds of weapons had no place on the street. Even a hunter doesn't really need that kind of power." The guns were eventually banned. In honor of that, he chose a name for his son containing letters (A and K) that reminded him of his stance on non-violence.

"I like to think of myself as a winner. I am driven by winning," he comments from his studio. Not just winning with music, but in life. He has volunteered as a guest speaker to youth groups and touts social messages like understanding politics, tolerance of other people's differences and respect for music and musicians. Because of his determination to do more than just give back, he hires young people from the street to learn deejaying, "the kind of young guys who start out at Malcolm X shows."

"I am working to create a society of people who reach back," Dr. B declares. Together with his production company, Dr B produces age and audience appropriate shows for schools, dances, and even weddings.

"The best time I ever had was when I DJ'd a wedding. Our reception music was so hot, people from other functions left theirs to join ours."

A mosaic of musical genres fills his studio. Everything from personal favorite Grand Master Flash to country music sweetheart Shania Twain to 90's all-girl R & B group En Vogue.

"I rock the party and take little things from all music," he declares, smiling for a lengthy minute. He gazes around the room, admiring his vinyl wares and it's evident that Dr. B has affection for finding and producing quality music.

Dr. B has won DJ battles from here to Las Vegas, two guest mix spots on Milwaukee's local R & B/Hip-Hop radio station V100 WKKV- M, and has been a television co-host.

In his bag, Dr. B has a far reaching love of music and the ability to administer rhythmic medicine, with side effects that include healing in the form of orchestrated head-bobbing, non-stop dancing and hip gyrating — for all ages.

"Honestly, I have as much fun with a group of school kids or a backyard party," he freely admits. "I believe in integrity and longevity. This is what love. I do and have done it for a long time and I still have a thirst for it." VS

Yolanda D. White is a science and speech communication teacher, freelance writer, poet and mother of an adorably cute French-speaking 9-year old girl named Nyla.