Before you get to know the man who goes by the alias DJ Phaze, you must first know what he believes.

Written in bold, white letters at the bottom right of his webpage his tagline, "There's only 1", stands out.

Three, simple words, they tell you this music man secure in the talent he has taken almost two decades to hone, the last five as an in-house DJ for the mega sports brands Puma (flagship store in Georgetown), and Adidas Originals.

Responsible for creating vibes, this Trini born and bred DJ plays on the subconscious of shoppers - a soca tune for an upbeat vibes, a Middle Eastern bhangra for a mellow exotic time, and maybe, finally, an American-produced hip-hop track to remind them that they're in a retail store, and not a shopping spree around the world. 

As he puts it, he's "mastered applying the psychology of music as it relates to the shopping experience". Phaze has also done in-store appearances at other major stores like Macy's and Downtown Locker Room.

With a musical taste that circles the globe, his skill on the turntables is a talent that has been genetically passed on, as his father - whom he credits as his first major influence - was also a DJ.

Based in the US since his first, major gig for WEAA 88.9FM at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland years ago, this old Naps boy (Naparima College, San Fernando) still flies the T&T flag high. The stylised coat-of-arms on his online calling card, www.djphaze.com, with its background colours of red, black and white, and even the tracksuit he wears in his headshots, leave no doubt of where his roots lie.

From performing in major clubs and concerts (he's shared the stage with legends like Slick Rick and New Edition) to creating sought after mixtapes such as "The Mixologists: DJ Phaze's 'Jill Scott Jawn Vol. 1", he's definitely enjoying a lucrative career as a DJ.

His soul mixes are also highly regarded, which is probably why he calls himself "your girl's favourite DJ. Phaze is also the Resident DJ for www.grownfolksmusic.com, and is featured on www.musicaddikts.com and www.soulbounce.com - highly regarded blogs in the Soul movement. Definitely a tech lover, Phaze also produces a weekly podcast.

Once a dread (I loved the ras Phaze), and now a new man shorn of the past, he's got bigger dreams in sight, and a stronger grip on the future. Living his Bob Marley-inspired motto "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain", Phaze is definitely in a good zone.

If there's only one DJ Phaze, you know Outlish had to discover how unique this local son really is.

O: So you were born in Trinidad. Where exactly?

Phaze: I was born in San Juan. Jogie Road. I hear that area does not look the same anymore. But my family migrated from Mt. Hope to San Fernando when I was a pre-teen.

O: So, how did you end up migrating to the States?

Phaze: Pretty much my mom sacrificed everything we had in T&T to afford my brother and I a chance at a brighter future. She saw how things were going and sent us to her sister's in the US until she could follow.

O: When did you know you wanted to become a DJ, and how did you get your start?

Phaze: Well as I said, my dad DJ'd so I feel like I was born a DJ. When I came to the States my mother approached one of the known DJs in the area, Steve D' Waxman. The story is funny because mom ask de man how much turntables, mixer and ting costs. Waxman chuckled at my mom, and said, "Just send yuh son to me, I'll get him started...". The rest is material for my autobiography. LOL.

O: How did you come up with the name Phaze?

Phaze: I came up with the name after going through a business growth and understanding branding. "PHAZE" is a combination of "faze" which means to cause a disturbance... And "Phase" which means a stage or period of time.

My aim is to always shake things up. By doing so, opportunities to learn, grow, and be influenced arise. Yuh feel meh?

O:  Was it hard getting into the DJ scene in the US?

Phaze: Like anything else, you really have to first believe in yourself. The thing about this business is that you have to deal with enough shady promoters, club managers and the like. The flip side is your branding and networking is the key.

O: How does your Caribbean roots affect your playlist?

Phaze: Well, coming from the Caribbean, better yet, from a Trinbagonian perspective, a true DJ is one who can play in any genre without floundering or disturbing the flow. So I think my roots has opened my ears to music from other origins since the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago is so rich and cosmopolitan.

'A true DJ is one who can play in any genre without floundering or disturbing the flow'

O: As an in-house DJ for many big retailers in the US, do you find yourself changing your personal style to appeal to an American demographic or are they pretty receptive to all kinds of music?

Phaze: The real challenge and charge of a DJ is to expose the listener to new experiences aurally. I never have seen a need to compromise my style to appeal to any demographic. But there are such notions as sensitivity and appropriateness.

Music is a universal language that transcends race, nationality and time. Notes in a certain combination elicits good vibes regardless of whether it's an Arabic song about love or a Soca chune about a one-song crush yuh whine on in ah fete.