Queens isn’t just the birthplace of rappers like Nas and Mobb Deep; it’s also where Mixmaster DJ Yonny honed his craft by seamlessly blending records. Raised in Delaware, the nitty gritty of New York City is once again his home and the epicenter for serving his brand of beats to the masses. At 28, he’s already scored a coveted position as producer of a major league morning radio show, currently lays claim to three mixshows on 92.3 NOW, and travels the world rocking house music in locales like Canada and France.

With a résumé that boasts beatmaking props for artists like Nina Sky—he produced their track “The Other Side,” among others—and a highly regarded mixtape series titled This Is My House, it’s no surprise he’s scored a slot as a contestant on the second season of BET’s “Master of the Mix.” This genre-bending DJ, who looks to Donald Trump and DJ Jazzy Jeff for inspiration, never lets his needle off the record.

Read on as the winner of the 2011 Latin Mixx Award for Mixtape of the Year shares his vision for success, explains why one Miami-bred rap star has the dance world on lock, lets loose about a goal he’s set on achieving, and reveals the one party record that supersedes everything.

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A party ain’t a party without a DJ. We’ve partnered with McDonald’s to shine a spotlight on 10 turntable assassins across the country who introduce the music to the masses and keep heads moving, whether you’re in the car, club, or at a concert. With an undeniable ear for talent, these tastemakers have turned hometown stars into household names.

To kick off our series, we head to the West Coast. Before Kanye West and Lady Gaga became megastars, DJ Reflex was breaking their records on Los Angeles radio station Power 106. As one of the most influential players in the L.A. music scene, the 30-year-old celebrity DJ and businessman can be heard in the mix daily. When he’s not on the radio, he’s busy with his residencies in L.A. and Las Vegas, spinning at parties for Beyoncé and Tom Cruise, and producing his debut album for release next spring.

The North Hollywood resident, who calls Kanye and Common friends, spoke to Rap-Up.com about getting styled for the Grammys by the Louis Vuitton Don, his favorite current records, who we should be looking out for in 2012, and the one artist who always gets the party started. Step to DJ Reflex’s beat.

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