DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gregory Joseph Keltgen |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, DJ |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Underground hip hop, member of Eyedea & Abilities, Semi.Official, 1200 Hobos |
| Notable work | First Born (2001), E&A (2004), By the Throat (2009) |
Gregory Joseph Keltgen, professionally recognized as DJ Abilities, is an American producer and DJ specializing in underground hip hop. He is affiliated with Rhymesayers Entertainment and operates out of Minneapolis. DJ Abilities co-established the duo Eyedea & Abilities alongside rapper Eyedea and also partnered with I Self Devine to create Semi.Official. Additionally, he belongs to the collective 1200 Hobos and was previously associated with Atmosphere. He has earned the Midwest regional DJ championship title twice.
Career
DJ Abilities made his initial mark with the album First Born in 2001, a joint project with Eyedea under the name Eyedea & Abilities. He provided turntable work on El-P's solo debut Fantastic Damage released in 2002. Subsequent collaborations with Eyedea include the albums E&A (2004) and By the Throat (2009), both launched through Rhymesayers Entertainment.
The duo Eyedea & Abilities was honored with a star on the exterior mural of Minneapolis's First Avenue, a tribute reserved for artists who have either sold out performances there or significantly impacted the venue’s cultural landscape. This distinction is regarded as one of the highest public accolades available to musicians in Minneapolis.
DJ Abilities secured the Midwest regional championship at the DMC World DJ Championships twice, in 1999 and again in 2001. His energetic stage presence alongside Eyedea has been praised by industry media for their cohesive interaction during live shows and recordings.
DJ mixes
- Finally (1997, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
- ...For Persons with DJ Abilities (2000, Rhymesayers Entertainment)
- Now! That's What I Call Fuck Off (2012, independently released)
- The Blends (2014, independently released)
Productions
- Deep Puddle Dynamics - Tracks "Deep Puddle Theme Song," "Thought vs. Action," and "Where the Wild Things Are" from The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel? (1999)
- Entire catalog of E&A albums
Guest appearances
- Rusty Ps - "All I Have" on Out of Many (2001)
- Unknown Prophets - "The Wrong Route" from World Premier (2001)
- El-P - Fantastic Damage (2002)
- Mr. Lif - "Return of the B-Boy" on I Phantom (2002)
- One Be Lo - L.A.B.O.R. (2011)
- Killer Mike - "Go!" from R.A.P. Music (2012)
- Seez Mics - "Post Pathic Profiteers" featured on Cruel Fuel (2014)
- One Be Lo - Baby (Being a black youth) (2020)