DJ Spen: from Baltimore radio to Quantize Recordings

Background

DJ Spen (real name Sean Spencer) is a Baltimore-based DJ, producer, and label owner with a 30+ year career in dance music. He runs Quantize Recordings, has a Grammy nomination on his catalogue, and is on the Onit Bookings roster.

Early years: Baltimore radio and Numarx

Spen started DJing at 13, producing mix shows for Baltimore radio. He went on to work at multiple Baltimore stations: V-103, 92Q (WERQ-FM), WKYS-FM, and Majic 95.9 (WWIN-FM), where he ran Flashback Saturday Night Dance Party. He eventually became Mix Show Director at V-103.

In 1986 his hip hop group Numarx wrote and recorded “Girl You Know It’s True,” the track later covered and made famous by Milli Vanilli.

Basement Boys and Jasper Street Company

In 1989 Spen joined the Basement Boys production team. Their studio was on Jasper Street in Baltimore, which gave Spen the name for his next group, Jasper Street Company. His first full production, A Feelin’, came out under that name.

During his Basement Boys years, the team’s productions included Crystal Waters’ Gypsy Woman and Mass Order’s Lift Every Voice. Spen also remixed Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, Everything but the Girl, Kirk Franklin, Ann Nesby, and Shaun Escoffery.

Defected and the MuthaFunkaz years

In 2004 Spen co-founded Code Red Records and formed MuthaFunkaz with Gary Hudgins and Irvin Madden. The group joined Defected Records and released a run of soulful house staples, including:

• The Way You Love Me (featuring Marc Evans)
• Gabryelle
• It’s So Easy (featuring Ann Nesby)

Quantize Recordings

In 2012 Spen founded Quantize Recordings with longtime partner Thommy Davis. The label has been an outlet for his own productions and for vocalists including Jocelyn Brown, Barbara Tucker, Joi Cardwell, Melonie Daniels, Dawn Tallman, and Tracy Hamlin.

Recent highlights

• 2018: Spen and Italian producer Michele Chiavarini hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with a remix of Donna Summer’s Hot Stuff.
• 2021: Louie Vega’s remix of Spen’s Praying For You was nominated for a Grammy.

Why book DJ Spen

For a soulful house, gospel house, or vocal house lineup, Spen fits a peak-time main slot. He plays his own productions and remixes in his sets, including Quantize releases and Basement Boys-era material.

Booking

To book DJ Spen, email tim@onitbookings.com or use the DJ Spen page on Onit Bookings.