I DJ. And these days, from Silverlake to Williamsburg,  when you can’t walk three steps without bumping into a hipster/new urbanite who claims to do the same, I realize that acclamation is akin to saying, “I wear shoes.” However for me, spinning recorded music has been anything but, trendy. Rather, it’s a pastime that has mirrored my music-collecting hobby since I bought my first record in the summer after 4th grade.

Lacking the supreme Usain Bolt-like fast twitch physicality and eye coordination skills of a “CounterStrike” Video bang champ,  I stayed far away from competitions and club headlining that my far more proficient — famous — DJ homies ruled and instead focused energies on making mixtapes for friends. That’s when I became a Bedroom DJ (paraphrasing from Urban Dictionary: A person who owns DJing equipment (ie. turntables, mixer, CDJ, etc.) and has a passion for music, but rarely plays out to crowds at bars or special events. Instead, they opt to play their music at home for their friends or over the internet via audio broadcasting software and through mixtapes.) without yet even knowing the definition.

And so with that, here’s my quick stab at my first thematic YOMYOMF mixtape; some selections familiar, most not but, all meant to inspire musical journeys further onward. I hope you enjoy the cuts and, in the apropos words of Rakim, the greatest MC to ever touch the mic, “Peace.”

Dream of Unity – Bad Religion

“I had a dream … of unity
Where we could walk side by side.
But today I see that it’s only me
Just trying to get by.”

I Gotta Find Peace of Mind – Lauryn Hill

“You are my peace of mind… That old me is left behind.”

I’ll Take You There – Staples Singers

“I know a place
Ain’t nobody cryin’
Ain’t nobody worried
Ain’t no smilin’ faces
Mmm, no no
Lyin’ to the races.”

Imagine – John Lennon

“Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man.”

It’s a Jungle Out There – Santana

“People tell me its useless to look for a way
I believe that tomorrow starts right here, today.”

Peace – Depeche Mode

“I’m leaving anger in the past,
With all the shadows that it caused.
There is radar in my heart
I should have trusted from the start.”

Peace – The Roots

“Peacefulness, peacefulness, peace-ful-ness
is in the mind of the beholder.
Behold, my mental piece
could shatter your peace, to pieces.”

Peace & Love – Blessid Union of Souls

“May every star you wish upon
And every hope you’re hangin’ on come true.”

Peace of Mind – Boston

“I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind.
People livin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind.”

Peace on Earth – U2

“Peace on earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won’t rhyme
So what’s it worth?
This peace on earth.”

Peaceful Easy Feeling – Eagles

“I get a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down.
Cause I’m already standin’
On the ground.”

War – Bob Marley and The Wailers

“Until the philosophy,
Which holds one race superior
And another inferior,
Is finally and permanently
Discredited and abandoned,
Everywhere is war.”