True House Stories® Youtube & Spotify Video Podcast
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ DISCIPLE
DJ Disciple interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 041
Part 1
David Banks professionally known as DJ Disciple shares with us his family life and the success his brothers had in the music industry and in the church. Listen to Disciple explain his beginnings from being bussed to school in a different area of Brooklyn to becoming a drummer and then off to becoming a DJ and his start on College radio.
Part 2
Disciple in this episode explains how his dad wanted him to become an accountant. Well to say the least he had other plans. The journey goes further and he begins to DJ at the NYC Underground Club called The Choice. His popularity at the same time is growing on radio which translates to many offers to DJ around the New York and New Jersey.
As he is playing all these great parties the UK comes calling and the jump across the pond begins and the gigs keep on flowing. He is involved in a lot of major tours and is the first to many new places where dance music is discovered.
He was also on an airplane that nearly crashed which changed his whole outlook on life. This forced him to make some course corrections with his life. Listen to this segment to get the whole life story of Disciple. It’s truly historical!
DJ Disciple YouTube Video Part 1
DJ Disciple YouTube Video Part 2
Biography DJ Disciple
A master of blending soaring melodies with catchy beats, DJ Disciple brings life to every party. Hailing from the creative hotbed of Brooklyn, New York, Disciple turned his passion for music into a lifelong career as a DJ, radio host, producer, and label mogul. He has been producing and spinning house music for over 30 years, and he continues to push boundaries in the electronic music scene today.
As a pioneer in electronic music, Disciple led the way for the modern era of DJs. The highlights of Disciple’s career include his hit single, “On the Dancefloor,” which peaked at #67 on the UK Singles Chart in 1994, and his Grammy-nominated track “Caught Up,” which earned the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 2002.
DJ Disciple grew up surrounded by musical influences. Captivated by the music industry and fueled by his Christian faith, Disciple became a gospel DJ. He stayed true to his religious roots, empowered by the reminder that “only what you do for Christ will last.”
A lover of many genres, Disciple developed a deep appreciation for the underground music scene. In the early ‘90s, he hosted “The Best Kept Secret,” a mix show on WNYE (FM), in which he spun the hottest new tracks from rising artists. As the first American DJ to have a UK radio show with The Transatlantic Mix with Tony Walker, Disciple knew exactly what his listeners wanted to hear, and he gave it to them with his own innovative spin that kept everyone engaged.
Whether he’s playing on the radio or in the club, Disciple will rock you to the bone with his mixes. The legendary Studio 54 nightclub in New York was the first club Disciple played at as a professional DJ. Alternating with Paradise Garage legend Larry Levan at The Choice (located at The Loft, Dave Mancuso’s venue), he did stints at Club Zanzibar in New Jersey before setting his sights on international success.
His next stop was in the UK, where he left his mark by playing 50 shows a year for over 10 years in that one country. Disciple played at many venues in the UK, including Ministry of Sound in London, Cream in Liverpool, and Hard Times in Leeds.
Through his collaborations with Basement Jaxx, Mousse T., Grant Nelson, and Robbie Rivera, Disciple commanded global attention. He proved that he was an amazing musician behind the turntables and in the studio. In the following years, Disciple scored DJ appearances in over 500 clubs around the world with residencies at Red-Lite in Montreal, Motor in Detroit, and Club One in Dallas.
He was one of the first DJs to play on the bottle service scene, and he has been a mainstay resident of New York clubs since the late 90s. His agenda included weekly events such as Feel Real, Release, and The Next Level Party. Even with a fast growing and fiercely loyal fan base raving over his sets, Disciple maintained a positive and down-to-earth attitude.
No matter how big or far he went, he always showed gratitude for his success. After touring internationally, Disciple’s entrepreneurial spirit helped him create his own record label, Catch 22 Recordings, in 1997. Instead of doing what other artists were doing, Disciple wanted his label to represent the club world that nurtured him, and he embraced the underground sounds of budding producers.
Throughout Disciple’s entire career, he stayed true to his authentic and mesmerizing sound. His single, “Work It Out,” featuring Dawn Tallman, debuted in 2006. It is one of the most notable releases from the Catch 22 Recordings label. The track was re-released on House Trained Records in the UK, and it made appearances on MTV and BBC Radio 1. The timing of the release aligned with the rise of the EDM festival circuit.
Even after Disciple decided to retire from touring to raise his daughter, his passion for music never died. He remains focused on producing and working with other artists. The track “Changes,” collaboration with David Tort and DJ Ruff, ranked on the Beatport charts for two months in 2008. “Sexy Lady” with Javi Mula received the best video clip in Spain. In 2017, Catch 22 Recordings celebrated its 20th year of releases.
In recent years, Disciple has continued to demonstrate his creative flair through a new medium: writing. In 2021, he will publish a book about his experiences in the music industry to share his perspective on how the world of electronic music has changed over the past few decades.
Whether he’s DJing, producing, hosting, or writing, Disciple can’t stop creating. As one of the brilliant influences of modern house music, he shows no signs of slowing down.