D.j. Xcel, Selector and Owner of Himalaya Sound system, is one of the youngest bonafide colletors of Studio One and Treasure Isle Reggae music. Himalaya was founded by two guys that Xcel went to school with in '91. In '92 they linked up, at the time they had a small record box and Xcel had a larger collection of music, so they linked their boxes and strengthened their sound with Xcel as their newest sound man and member. Himalaya cut their first dub in '93 at Don One Studio, but in '96 Xcel took over Himalaya sound and cut his first dub at Symbol studio, the dub was by Professor Grissley and it was a remake of Usher`s song "Nice and slow", and it was a Studio One styled dub. An historian when it comes to the roots of Reggae culture and influence, Xcel keeps a mental catalogue of every Artists`s name and individual history coming out of the Studio One and Treasure Isle era. For the last 10 years D.j. Xcel has been an authority on the music and sound coming from Staten Island, a forgotten borough which many reggae cultural icons have graced at one time or another. D.j. Xcel began his career as an adolescent under the guidance of his older brother who also was a renown D.j. Its amazing how much knowledge can be gained as a crate carrier for a sound system. Xcel has travelled with his older brother from his youth, helping out with the transfer of Dee jay equipment from venue to venue and learning the basics of sound system egineering every time they would string up the set, witnessing the raw talent that it takes to rock a club. But the interest of Xecl far exceeded the accomplishments of his predecessors.
Xcel had a genuine love for reggae music and culture and exemplified those feelings through his turn table mixing. I remember meeting him for the first time and within minutes we were both voicing Studio One lyrics and drawing comparison to some of the late greats. In '99 Doo-Wop, formerly of Legal Vibes sound, joined D.j Xcel and their alliance created a very unique sound. Together these two produced some very competitive specials and dub plates. They played in Bklyn, Queens, Harlem, Bronx, and New Jersey. To the amazement of the older audience members they played for, was this lickle yout who knew so much about Foundation tunes (Xcel).
Xcel grew musically and became a very knowledgable selector, who could rock a crowd of age and maturity, who were decades his senior. But this was not the full measure of his talents. Xcel began as a Hip hop, Old School, and R&b D.j. This versatility soon gained him notariety and attention. Not only could Xcel play for an older Caribbean crowd, but because his roots where so musically deep, he could Dee jay a dance featuring music from Hip hop to R&b and Dance hall Reggae to Soca. These talents earned D.j. Xcel the spot of Staten Island's #1 D.j.
Xcel can be seen at almost every venue on Staten Island. His popularity among the young and old school crowd is much earned. He has become such an icon on Staten Island that many younger D.j`s say that he inspired them to play. D.j. Xcel is a multitalented D.j. who has a genuine passion for song and dance, and Zion Train Entertainment salutes him....!!!
