DJ Smoothspinner

DJ Smoothspinner (born Martin Gotora, on 09 July 1981) in Harare, Zimbabwe
Biography
DJ Smoothspinner was born in Harare, Zimbabwe where he grew up and spent most of his early life. He attended Churchill High School in Harare, successfully completing his A'Levels in 2000. He holds a BSc in Psychology from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
Career
1996-1999: Starts DJ career after witnessing an electrifying performance from Zimbabwe's turntablist DJ Kimble Rogers. His practice sessions were held in his bedroom after purchasing basic equipment from doing odd jobs after school. He began to get gigs and piggyback off other DJ's playing in house parties and functions popular in Zimbabwean nightlife.
2001: landed first club gig @Tony's Nite Spot in Hre alongside DJ Gary The Glitter has guest appearances at several clubs in zim including Stars,Circus,Oblivion,Archipelago & Uptown in Gweru.
2002: Moved to the UK to study for a diploma in business @ London school of Management. Started of as a Private function DJ before breaking in to the local club scene with a debut performance @Club 69 in Reading. Before long he had regular residencies at Clubs in Reading. Between 2002 and 2005 he had regular appearances at Club Oz, Colors, litten Tree, Fez & Visions as well as Floral arms in Slough.
2005: July moved to Scotland to embark on a degree in Psychology and immediately penetrated the local club scene. Together with DJ Fabuloz they started the first successful african club night in Edinburgh called Sahara which saw over 700 people come through the door on the first night.
2007 - 2008:
Had resident nights at clubs in Edinburgh and Sheffield namely Base, Purple, Faith, Massa, Ponana, Stereo, Wash Bar & Cuban links(Sheffield). Founder member with Paul (DJ P45) Artherton & Archie (DJ Fabuloz) Chipudhla of one of the most successful Event Promotions company in Edinburgh to date, Urban Events. Urban Events runs the only urban themed multi floor club night in Edinburgh @ Berlin nightclub (Now known as the Lane). Played at several clubs in Edinburgh & Glasgow that year namely Hudson, Elbarrio, Shanghai, Byblos and Silver.
2009 - Present: Relocated to USA. got married and had a daughter. founded Smooth Spinner Events with sister and manager Lorrain 'Rain Gees' Gotora. Made the transition to Video mixing becoming the 1st Zimbabwean DJ to achieve that feat in the USA. He is one of the most sought after African VJ/DJ and is hire all over the country. Between 2009 and Jul 2011 he has performed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Miami, DC, Atlanta, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio & Kentucky.
Video Mixes
He has a weekly video mix show every friday on www.smoothspinner.tv and www..vimeo.com/smoothspinner. His video mixes are also featured on premier entertainment magazines, blogs and websites namely: www.globalvibez.com, www.musiqave.com, www.greedysouth.blogspot.com, www.scratchvision.com & www.latin4you.com
Styles and Influences
Smoothspinner does not have a distinct style or main genre, he has the ability to mix across multiple genres at the same tim whilst maintaining the rhythm. He can feed off the crowd at all times and know exactly what people need to listen to at any time. He uses Serato Digital Vinyl records and can scratch and juggle beats effortlessly. He is heavy influenced by former mentor DJ Fabuloz who helped him perfect the technique of harmonic mixing. Fabuloz taught him a lot about the promotions side of the business which helped him to take a more serious approached to wards the proffession. He draws heavy influences from such greats as DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Kofi, DJ Billie Bush, DJ KG and DJ Suss One.

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