began his musical pursuit in San Francisco's Mission District in the mid '80's. In the early part of the decade, Quest was heavily influenced primarily by the sounds of electro and rap from Run DMC to Newcleus to Ice T and Kraftwerk. Naturally, the Hip-Hop elements influenced an obsession with the vinyl that caused this young fanatic to fall under the spell of scratch music.
In 1987, Quest took his talents to the street when he partnered up with DJ Polo G and DJ 2 Fresh and began rocking house parties, high school dances, etc. However, unsatisfied with the lack of appreciation for scratch music at his mobile gig, Quest took his skills to a the stage, joined Hip-Hop groups, and entered countless DJ battles which provided the foundation and raised the level of dedication and discipline required to master the craft.
Simultaneously, Quest hooked up with DJ Eddie Def and DJ Cue, and created an early version of a DJ band "The Bullet Proof Scratch Hamsters". Their biggest contribution came in 1992 with the release of Hamster Breaks Vol. 1, the first record of its kind arranged specifically for scratch and battle DJs. This triggered a wild fire effect and opened up a new market for tool records and battle breaks. This same year, Quest coined the term "Hamster Style" which refers to the reverse set up of the turntables into the mixer. Today the term remains popular and is recognized by DJs worldwide. In 1996, the crew released the follow up "HB 3 1/2 ". "The 'Paul's Boutique' of break records" as described in URB magazine. Now under a new name, The Bullet Proof Space Travelerz, and new members: M.C. Eddie K and DJ Marz, the group branched towards new arenas of showcasing and production.
In late '96, Quest further expanded his musical horizons by teaming up with Albert Mathias (percussion) and Andrew Kushin (contra bass) to form the experimental Jazz/Hip-Hop group Livehuman. Since its formation the trio has self produced recordings for the British based label Fat Cat Records, the Bay Area's Hip-Hop Slam, Matador Records and their own independent label Cosmic Records.
This new artistic outlet presented Quest with new creative possibilities as well as the opportunity to serve his chops throughout the world. Displaying his abilities all over the US, Australia, Japan and Europe. Highlighted performances include the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and Transmusicales Music Fest in Renn, France.
Aside of his Livehuman expeditions, Quest has toured with the likes of Quannum artist, Latyrx; The Bomb Hip-Hop DJs, Future Primitive Sound, Space Travelerz and as a solo DJ.
Around the turn of the millennium Quest kept busy producing a series of breaks and tools. In 1998, Quest hooked up with Mission district homeboy J-Wicked and produced an original sound bank of special effects and sound bites on wax for scratching "Etchings of the Upper Dynamic Frequencies". Quest linked up once again with his old school DJ partner 2 Fresh and released "Vinyl Hedz" (2000) and "Electro Sox" (2002) on their own "Breaks Ahead" label, under the name "Mission Cartel".
In addition to the numerous albums, break records and mix cds (tapes), Quest has collaborated on many recordings with various artist including Dan "The Automator", Blackalicious, Rob Swift, Z-man, Sacred Hoop, DJ Zeph, DJ Q Bert (Do It Yourself vol. 2), Wide Hive Records collective "Variable Unit", and The DJ Project to name a few.
While learning about every aspect of the industry and every application of the music, Quest expanded his versatility and used it to cater to a spectrum of situations. In 2000, as part of a seven piece orchestra, Quest took part in a Urban Opera "The Human Placebo", based on "Kinh" the Mayan mythology of time. In 2002, he collaborated with composer Gina Leishman and co-produced and performed the sound score for Cal Shakes' Shakespere at the Park production of "A Winter's Tale". All along Quest spread his contagious love for the art and took part in even more events such as DJ workshops and clinics for sponsors such as Rane and Stanton constantly contributing to the fine tuning of the turntable as an instrument, and the shaping of turntablism. No doubt, Quest has been influential on equipment manufacturers as well. Nearly every competent battle mixer has now adopted the Hamster feature (the reverse switch).
On the recording front, Quest has recently released "Bullet Proof's Back", a jam packed 12" featuring M.C. Eddie K on vocals. The 12" includes the heavy bass thumpin', car bumpin' track "Ghetto Stash", plus a DJ breakdown on the b-side taken from the full length mix cd "Mutationmann" (Ultramix) a breakbeats masterpiece two years in the making. The 12" is also Quest first official release on Wide Hive Records, and the first single out of Quest forthcoming full length album due in 2006.
In 2003, Livehuman once again pushed the boundaries of turntable Jazz with the release of "Breakseven". A show record sampling bits and pieces of the band, loaded with instrument sounds and special effects for the musician DJ or producer.
The albums' success lead to a remix album "Livehuman Breaks Even Remixes" featuring a collection of artist from around the world. The remixed tracks were later arranged on a mix cd by Quest and DJ Pone, the results, a unique concept that reaches a new realm of audio experimentation.
Presently, Quest is sharing his DJ knowledge by teaching private classes out of his SF home studio to adults and children. Quest is also offering free classes to San Francisco teens through The DJ Project, a nonprofit program designed to help with youth development. The curriculum includes beginner to advanced courses on mixing, scratching, and industry related subjects.
From the stage to the studio, from the classroom to the battle field, for nearly two decades, Quest's enthusiastic character has kept him ahead of the game. In a competitive field, the sport of music has managed to narrow the visibility of many, but Quest's persistence has earned him conspicuous status and a place in the DJ community as a visionary of the instrument of the future "the turntable".
