BE MONKEY !: Klever "The Killer"

KLEVER

Klever is one of the few and best djs who can balance technical skill and party rocking. His style is energetic and air-tight."
- DJ A-Trak

- ...One of the illest DJs on the cut, Klever continues to break barriers with his signature style.....
-Tablist Magazine

DJ Klever aka Josh Winkler was born on the fourth of July in 1977. Before he could even walk, let alone strut, Josh was spoonfed the world of rhythm by way of his pops, famous blues musician, Juke Joint Johnny. At the tender age of four, Josh received his very first drum set, a ..manimall.. Muppet Show kit that he practiced playing until the skins busted.

Josh's wonder years were spent like any all-american kid: playing baseball, grinding curbs, and eating apple pie. He distinctly remembers the countless nights snuck out and hit Atlanta's local skate spots where his rep grew bigger for pushing big tricks.

At the age of sixteen, Josh..s passion for both music and tricks met the world of turntablism and Klever was born. Growing up with a hip hop background, Klever studied djs like Premiere, Cash Money, Afrika Bambaataa and Jazzy Jeff for their mixing and scratching arrangements even as a youngster; but he was also heavily influenced by the wilds of Atlanta and was a regular attendee of Freaknik. There he was intrigued by the booty music of Luke, 2 Live Crew, and Kilo.

By 1997, Klever began relentlessly competing in every local competition possible where he linked up with the Third World Citizens - Faust, Shorty, Shotgun, Craze, and T-Rock. In 2000, Klever seized the national DMC championship title and while at the international DMC competition, he was inducted into the world famous Allies crew, consisting of world-renowned turntablists such as Craze and A-Trak. Shortly after, Klever began traveling the globe a lot with Craze during so, the two released a now cult classic .. Scratch Nerds... Klever began to produce prominent break records for battle djs and producers. In 2001, Klev successfully defended his national DMC title. He then represented the states in London for the international tiltle. Later that year, he also took national ITF title in San Fransisco.

In the past 5 years, Klever has been performing his signature sets non-stop around the world (Taiwan, England, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Australia, Japan, etc). He consistently amazes crowds and party-goers from 60 to 60,000 at world renowned venues such as (but not limited to) Miami..s Ice Palace, Tai Pae..s Ministry of Sound, NYC..s Roxy and Irving Plaza, Club Fabric in London, numerous House of Blues venues throughout the U.S., El Rey Theatre in L.A., and Atlanta..s Tabernacle. He has also showcased his skills at monumental events like the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Canadian Circa Skateboard Tour, Audiotistic in L.A., and the High Museum in Atlanta.

Klever has seen the future of his hometown because he paints it. Beyond his accredited mastery as a turntablist, his ability to combine crowd-roaring routines and mix sets with his signature party rocking steez has established his name throughout the dj circuit as ..tomorrows dj... He moves crowds in every direction from his roots of crunk, booty, and hip hop to the sweaty sounds of electro, dance-rock, b-more, new-wave, hard rock, and anything worthy to make you rock with finesse

He has released several mix CDs obtaining notoriety from culture heavy hitters such as Turntable Lab and Tablist magazine. He also two immensely popular battle break records with DJ SHOTGUN (former dj for Goodie Mob), Dirty South Breaks and Get Crunk Breaks. More commercially, his talent can be also heard on various production: Rob Swift..s (X-ecutioners) album - Sound Event, Bubba Sparxxx.. - Deliverance. To NBA BALLERS 2: PHENOM.

Not only audibly, KLEVER's skills have been featured in numerous DVDs: the film Scratch (a DJ documentary awarded at the Sundance Music Festival, A-TRAK..s Sunglasses are a Must, Stanton..s - Step-By-Step (instructional), Tableturn..s - A Great Day In Turntablism, the 2000 & 2001 USA/World DMC Championships, the 2001 ITF USA Championships, 2002 & 2003 USA and JAPAN ALLIES Invitational All Star Beatdown, and the upcoming ALLIES (untitled) self produced DVD.

KLEVER is currently a member of the world famous ALLIES/ammo rec. /STPCHLD crew, He is working on collaborative projects that encompass the street culture lifestyle through music art and fashion. Between touring nonstop and his dedicated lab time, you can find Klever maintaining his monthly residency at Atlanta..s most off-the-wallest party otherwise known as Sloppy Seconds.

TITLES AND AWARDS:

1999 Guitar Center South Eastern Regional 1st place Champion
1999 Kool Mixx Atlanta 1st place Champion
2000 Atlanta DMC Regional 1st place Champion
2000 USA DMC 1st place Champion
2001 USA DMC 1st place Champion
2001 DMC World Champion 2nd place Runner up
2001 ITF USA 1st place Champion (Advanced Categories)
2001 Atlanta Kool Mixx 1st place Champion
2002 USA Kool Mixx 1st place Champion
2003 Atlanta Nike Battle Ground 1st place Champion
2003 Rough Raleigh DJ Battle 1st place Champion
2004 Breaklanta 1st place Champion

Klever Vidéos :
2000 DMC World (click to watch the video)
2001 DMC World (click to watch the video)