One word comes to mind when you think of DJ Phil DaBeatz, the newly announced Grand Prize winner of Centaur Music's Chicago "Be The Next POPular DJ" Contest, and that word is "impressive." DJing for a relatively short amount of time, the Ohio native has proven that he has what it takes to be a success in the DJ booth. In a few short years he's gone from a self-taught novice spin-meister to a DJ with an impressive list of accomplishments, including being named "Best Chicago Club DJ" in 2008 by the Chicago Free Press, and a resumé that's growing exponentially.
Spinning a mixture of techno, dance, house, and progressive, this long-time Minibar resident DJ describes his style as "hot, high energy, and big sound." His initial dance music influences when he was teaching himself the basics of DJing were European trance masters such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk. Since seriously taking up the DJing game in 2006 other important influences that have helped shaped his current day style include many of the big names he met while a manage at Hydrate: names like Ralphi Rosario and Tony Moran.

Over the years DJ Phil DaBeatz, who's DJing moniker was created and decided upon one night with friends, has spun at a variety of venues for a wide range of crowds. He's taken these vast experiences, combined them with talent, charm and good looks, and has developed into a DJ that is in high demand by promoters and club owners as well as by a growing base of fans. In addition to impressing the locals, DaBeatz will soon be impressing folks nationwide once Centaur's next installment of its POPular compilation CD series, mixed by Phil, is released in the next fw weeks. It's the reward he earned for beating out 13 other DJs in the recently held Chicago contest. The small town Ohio boy is still a bit stunned by all that has happened to him in these recent weeks, but with a future that is certainly bright, there is little doubt that DJ Phil DaBeatz will continue to achieve and succeed. Like I said: impressive.

Editor's Note: DJ Phil DaBeatz has a weekly Saturday night residency at Minibar and makes frequent guest appearances throughout the city.