DJ Phingaprint

Music is more than just an art form, a hobby or a profession – it’s a way of life. For DJ Phingaprint (nee Timothy Washington) this is especially true. Every since his parents bought him his first set of turntables back in 1985, Print adopted music as his life’s mission. Now over a decade later, the Jackson native continues to explore and expand the boundaries of turntablism and music.

“I feel like I embody the music more than anything,’ says the 30 something year old DJ. “I fell like I take more seriously than any other DJ working out there now. For me turntablism is not just a way of life for me, it is my life. I can’t imagine living without wax.”

And living life to the fullest as a DJ is definitely what Phinga has been doing. Over the past 20 years he has racked an impressive list of credits as a DJ, producer and music educator. DJ Phinga began his career in 1992, as a college DJ working as a DJ at WMPR in Jackson. In 1994, he became a member of the Stewpot Stowaways, a collective of JSU based MCs that included David Banner & Kamikaze. He also was the DJ for the Jackson based trio Poetic Climax, the first Mississippi based rap group to ever perform on BET’s now defunct Teen Summit.

Two years later Phingaprint united with fellow Stowaways David Banner and Kamikaze to form Crooked Lettaz. The trio inked a deal with Penalty/Tommy Boy Records and released their critically acclaimed debut LP Grey Skys in 98. The group toured for two years.

In addition DJ Phingaprint along with college buddies DJ Jay Clipp and DJ Cuzzin B formed a DJ collective known as Point Blank DJs. The crew were known for throwing the majority of college parties in the City of Jackson. In 2001 Phinga began DJing at Freelons as their resident DJ in addition to DJing internationally in countries like The Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, UK, Iraq and Ghana. 2006 saw Phingaprint reunite with his old friend David Banner to serve as his tour DJ, a position he held until 2009.

Currently, Phinga serves as one of the resident DJs at Dreamz, Jxn. He is a partner in Forever Fridays, which is a company that specializes in throwing art and music events for the City’s 25 and over demographic. He is also busy pumping out countless mix tapes including the critically acclaimed Dust Jams a breakbeat mix CD hosted by hip hop historian, Charlie Braxton.