DJ Clue

DJ Clue, born Ernesto Shaw, is a legendary hip-hop DJ and producer who became a mixtape kingpin in the 1990s. Hailing from Queens, New York, he built his reputation by dropping exclusive tracks and fiery freestyles from icons like Jay-Z, Nas, and 50 Cent on his game-changing *DJ Clue Mixtape* series. His signature airhorn drops and gritty East Coast sound earned him a Roc-A-Fella Records deal, making him one of the first DJs to land a major label contract. His 1998 debut album *The Professional* solidified his status as a hip-hop heavyweight, featuring collabs with DMX, Jadakiss, and more.

Decades into the game, Clue’s still a mixtape pioneer, curating projects like *Humble Soles* (2023) that blend nostalgic boom-bap with fresh talent. Tracks like "Wild West" and "Chess Not Checkers" show his knack for pairing soulful beats with sharp lyricism, while his recent releases prove he’s kept his ear to the streets. Whether on-air (he’s rocked stations like Hot 97 and Power 105) or in the studio, DJ Clue remains a bridge between hip-hop’s golden era and its ever-evolving future.