Joshua Paul Davis (born June 29, 1972), known professionally as DJ Shadow, is an American DJ and record producer. He first gained attention with his debut studio album "Endtroducing....." (1996), noted for its extensive use of samples and layered production. He was also a member of the band UNKLE from 1996 to 1999.
DJ Shadow began experimenting with a four-track recorder while in high school in Davis, California, and started his career as a disc jockey for the University of California, Davis, campus radio station KDVS. His early singles, including "In/Flux" and "Lost and Found (S.F.L.)", blended elements of funk, rock, hip hop, ambient, jazz, and soul, and were associated with the experimental style of the London-based Mo' Wax label. He has cited Kurtis Mantronik, Steinski, and Prince Paul as influences and often uses short clips of voices rather than full lyrics.
During 1991–1992, DJ Shadow released remixes on Hollywood BASIC and contributed scratching and production work to rapper Paris' album "Sleeping with the Enemy". In 1993, he co-founded the Solesides underground hip-hop label alongside Blackalicious and Lyrics Born. The first release was the 12" "Entropy", which included his track "Count and Estimate". He also began working with Mo' Wax, and in 1995 contributed scratches to a mix of Massive Attack's "Karmacoma".
"Endtroducing....." was produced using an AKAI MPC60, turntables, and Pro Tools, and later entered the Guinness World Records for "First Completely Sampled Album". In 1998, DJ Shadow released "Preemptive Strike", a compilation of singles, and produced UNKLE's debut album "Psyence Fiction", which featured guest appearances from Thom Yorke, Richard Ashcroft, Mike D, Kool G. Rap, and Jason Newsted.
