Meet The Guy Who DJs for Obama
The Secret Service was busy digging through the background of Adam Bravin, aka DJ Adam 12, when the two of us spoke yesterday. The reason? The spinner behind popular old school hip-hop party AFEX -- which debuts at Los Globos on Thursday night -- will perform at an Obama fundraiser at House of Blues later this month, which Obama is scheduled to attend. (It will also feature the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles and B.o.B. Bravin's like, on the invitation, which you can see at the bottom of this post.) 
He DJed one of Obama's birthday parties in Hollywood last month, which was attended by Mayor Villaraigosa and Obama advisor David Axelrod but not Obama himself. Since then he's been pulled more closely into the presidential circle, however, with more gigs in the works. He gave us the scoop on how all of this came to be and whether Fox News is dictating his playlists.
Is the Secret Service about to call you? Should we make this quick?
They may or may not call me today. They're doing their background check, so they may have a few questions for me.
Are you worried about dirt they might find from your ex-girlfriends?
No, although that depends on how many girlfriends back they go.
So, at this point would you say you're Obama's official DJ?
I'd say I'm more like one of them. He will probably have guys doing stuff in different regions of the country.
How did all of this come about?
I was DJing the VIP at the Trousdale in Hollywood in July. I think I take more chances on the turntables than a lot of these younger kids do, and that night I really went for it. At the end of the night the lights came on, and my friend Pantera Sarah told me, "You're about to be stoked." A woman named Adia Smith came over and said, "I really loved what you did in here tonight, and I think my boss would really love it too. I was wondering if you do private events."
I said, "Of course," and she handed me her card. It said, "Obama 2012" on it and she said Obama was her boss. I kind of freaked out and said, "I think that's the coolest card I've ever gotten." Still, it's Hollywood, and nine times out of ten nothing comes of it.
She started speaking with my DJ management, and said Obama was doing six birthday parties in six cities for his 50th birthday, and I [signed on]. Cut to a few weeks later and I'm standing next to the mayor and David Axelrod talking about music. It was at a weird sports bar called Spot 5750, and it was also a fundraiser. It was a great party but an interesting venue.
So, you haven't met Obama yet?
No, but it's supposed to happen at the event on the 26th at House of Blues, because he's definitely going to be there. I believe it's a fundraiser.
And that's why the Secret Service is checking on you?
Yeah, they check on every guest who attends those things. They asked for my information, for my birthday, my address, how long I lived there, and my social security number.
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