But for DJ On Point, Jamaica, Queens is home; and the first stop in the road tomusic, glory, fame, and fortune.

Born and raised in Cambria Heights, On Point’s sonic aspirations began early, when, as achild prodigy, he showed strong discipline in playing drums and piano. This early exposureto music served as a gateway, and, before long, hip-hop began to play an integral part in hisgrowth. A fan of Special Ed, Leaders of the New School, and A Tribe Called Quest (hegrew up down the block from the trio), On Point also took inspiration from DJ greats likeRoc Raida, legendary DMC DJ battles, and the incredible run of the movie ‘Juice’. Gettinghis first pair of turntables at 15, he quickly began his never-ending grind.

“I began cutting parties Memorial Day Weekend of ’96, three months after I got my first setof turntables,” he remembers. Parties led to events, events led to demand, and, pretty soon,he was blending his own mixes. Shown the ins and outs of the game by peer and friend DJLRM, he dropped his first mixtape under the DJ On Point moniker in January 2001.Initially focusing on blends of hot new records, On Point’s visceral foresight – whichwould become a trademark skill later in his career – led him to branch out. R&B blend tapeskept ladies satisfied, while instrumental mixes kept a brand new crop of MC’s eagerlyawaiting his latest. (Around the same time, a then-upcoming 50 Cent & G-Unit neededbeats at an alarming rate, and a shared association with On Point led to a mutually beneficialworking relationship.)

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?

The now-infamous Chris Tucker drop, heard year-round, country-wide, in stereo afterstereo, signaled that DJ On Point’s arrival. After impressing Joe Budden during their timetogether on the Def Jam Vendetta tour, the two began work on Mood Muzik, which wouldbecome the first of a signature series in Joe Budden mixtapes. After helping revitalize JoeBudden’s career, On Point switched gears, and instead helped begin anartists’ career: J.Cole. In mid-2007, the two worked on The Come Up, which would became J. Cole’scoming out party, and the sole body of work that led him to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.

Seemingly with his hands in every aspect of music marketing, On Point’s simple yeteffective gameplan focuses on an incessant work ethic, with enough flexibility for change.Anticipating, and usually capitalizing, on changes in the marketplace, On Point as graduatedfrom mixtape distribution and A&R work to international travel, and tastemaker status.Having been Mobb Deep’s go-to DJ since 2006, On Point is now gearing up for Rock theBells and the House of Blues tours with Prodigy. He’s held audiences captive inSwitzerland, India, Russia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, and has rocked crowds as

large as 80,000 strong in Bogata, Columbia, and 50,000 roaring New Yorkers at Hot 97’sfamed Summer Jam stage, as well as having acted as DJ for mainstream acts likes Fabolousand Cassidy (On Point’s mixtape, ‘Cassidy: The Problem’ is widely credited as garneringCassidy a steady buzz in New York prior to the release of his first album.) “You gotta stayconsistently on the go,” he says. “Stay on your grind, cuz opportunities don’t last forever.”

A modest Queens cat, having travelled all over the world, there’s no telling where OnPoint’s calling will take him next. “I'm just scratching the surface when it comes to where Icould potentially take my career. The sky is pretty much the limit – there's a multitude ofpossibilities.” Maintaining his humility, dedication, and diligence, On Point brings the sameenergy in front of packed stadiums that he did that fateful Memorial Day in ’96. “It’s allabout the crowd, the fans. To see the impact when they feel a song, forget about everything,and enjoy themselves? That’s what I do this for.”