STM 168 - DJ Di'jital

DJ Di’jital, aka Lamont Norwood, takes us back to the raw energy of 1990s Detroit raves with a mix that captures the essence of electro funk. Known for his sharp, electrifying Detroit techno, Di’jital's name is synonymous with the now-legendary Direct Beat label—home to AUX 88 and a cornerstone of the city's underground sound. He’s also left his mark with Underground Resistance, further cementing his place in Detroit’s sonic legacy.

Di’jital’s sets are notorious for moving crowds, blending ghetto tech, electro funk, and old-school house into an unstoppable force on the dancefloor. His sound is an intense, dynamic blend, drawing from influences as varied as Kraftwerk’s pioneering synth work, early hip-hop, and the street dance culture that fueled it all. You can feel these roots pulsing through his mixes, where Drexciyan elegance meets the raw physicality of funk and disco. It’s a potent cocktail of Detroit’s musical DNA, offering an experience that’s as mind-expanding as it is body-moving. Passion, precision, and an innate connection to the music make Di’jital’s sets and productions a journey through the soul of Motor City techno.

Secret Thirteen Mix 168 stands out in our series not just for its content but for its form. Di’jital opens the door to an early ‘90s underground rave, where electro funk, house, and hip-hop classics—think Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three or Arabian Prince—blast through the speakers. The mix is as raw and unfiltered as you’d hear it live, with plenty of scratching, on-the-fly mixing, and spontaneous energy. The crackle of worn vinyl only adds to the authenticity, making this mix feel alive and organic. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to relive that era or just needs an excuse to turn their living room into a dancefloor.

Comparing Di’jital’s mix to Charles Bezie’s abstract painting “Fiborythm,” you can see a parallel in their machine-like precision, softened by the essential human touch. Both works are tributes to the beauty of patterns—Bezie’s art nods to the industrial backdrop that shaped the artists in this mix, visualizing simplicity at its most effective and captivating.