Crate Apes Radio's DJ Big Des Aka Professor Hood Picks All the Right Music

As a self-proclaimed, ride-or-die, straight-no-chaser lover of real Hip Hop, my 30-plus self gets quite giddy when I find a radio show, DJ, or both that offers the opportunity to enjoy the music I've so shamelessly immersed myself in since childhood.

So you can imagine the joy I experience when listening to a DJ who spins real Hip Hop - not the music coming from the skinny jeans wearing, stanky leg dancing, gangster-ish baby boys we hear today. DJ Big Des aka Professor Hood absolutely gets this done by solely dedicating his ones and twos to the best music out there - and this listener thanks him for it.

When you first listen to his show, appropriately titled "The Professor's Picks," it becomes immediately obvious that this maestro of the turntables is a teacher, not a student. I found myself getting schooled recently during a show dedicated largely to old school Hip Hop where he played a mix from heavy hitters like Main Source, Eric B. and Rakim, Special Ed, Black Moon and Brand Nubian.

But the professor's Hip Hop lesson didn't end there. He followed with an ill cutting session, setting anyone straight who thought he was just standing around playing records. And if I wasn't already amped enough, he had the nervetocontinue with a fly Wu Tang set that included "Cher Chez La Ghost," "Shame on a Nigga," "Protect Ya Neck," "Method Man," "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" and "Ice Cream," just to name a few. Check out the show here.

Unfortunately, I almost knocked over a lamp trying to reacquaint myself with 90s dances during his set. But this type of reaction is common from his listeners and is indeed the method behind his DJing ingenuity.

What's interesting is that listening to his show is not the only time I almost hurt myself (and my home) trying to dance. That's because this Brooklyn native doesn't work alone. His radio show is a part of a bigger movement called Crate Apes Radio and there are six other DJs on the roster who spin live throughout the week.

The Crate Apes DJs are unique in that they have their own styles and musical preferences. But what I love about them is that they're not only dedicated to playing the best music out there, they're willing to differentiate themselves from other DJs who try to keep the youth happy by playing what's popular, no matter how crappy the music is (see my review of Crate Apes Radio).

These unique qualities are definitely what have made me a lifetime fan of DJ Big Des' show. But not only that, I love the energy he brings to the table via webcam. He's enjoying the party he's throwing just as much as his listeners, which is the mark of a great DJ.

Since the beginning, I've regularly visited his show streams to enjoy his mixes highlighting the best of Hip Hop and R&B with occasional blends of House, Reggae, Pop and even Rock. If you're wondering when to catch him, he streams live every Wednesday night from 8-10 EST via his website, CrateApesRadio.com.

There's no doubt that I'll be at the next show. Hope to see you there!