Sharaz is a DJ and electronica producer in the Bradenton, FL area who is known for many national remixes, especially in the form of Florida breaks and breakbeat. He is originally from East Chicago, but in 1986 moved to Florida to attend College. His current company is NineFourOne Media and he holds a private pilot license. His influences are largely soul/funk but also include: Eddie Kendricks, Isaac Hayes, Candi Staton, Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Zapp, The Stylistics, O'Jays, Bill Withers, Lyrics Born, Sparlha Swa, Slave, Midnight Star, Stevie Wonder (pre-1980), Al Green, etc. Some of his notable remixes: La Roux,[2] Aquasky vs. Masterblaster, Everything But The Girl, Robin Fox[3] (Billboard), Afrika Bambaataa,[4][5] Fannypack,[6] Fierce Ruling Diva "You Gotta Believe" (Billboard number 1 single[7]) He has performed alongside acts such as Richard "Humpty" Vission, DJ Mea, Darude, DJ Rap, The Warp Brothers, The Bassbin Twins, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Baby Anne, Storm (UK), Dave London, D:Fuse, The Crystal Method, Reid Speed, and DJ Icey. In 2007, Sharaz's track "Holdin' On" was nominated for an IDMA (International Dance Music Award) award for Best Breaks/Electro track[8] along with Jamiroquai, Bodyrox, Outwork f/Mr. Gee and Fedde Le Grand. Fedde Le Grand went on to win this category with his single "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit". Although primarily a breakbeat producer, Sharaz will often incorporate different genres into his production such as house music and, more recently, rocktronica and dubstep. Sharaz has been nominated several times as "America's Favorite DJ" in the breakbeat category by BPM (magazine) An accomplished drummer and percussionist, Sharaz often posts videos of him playing solo and covering rock songs on the drums. On occasion Sharaz will also incorporate hand drumming into his live DJ sets. Remixes have been provided by Sharaz for Tommy Boy Records, POD Music, Kaleidoscope, DBI records, and StreetBeat Records. He has 35 records and five compact discs released under his own independent label. In August 2009, Sharaz began releasing a bi-weekly online mixcast in MP3 downloadable format entitled "Return to Planet Boom".[9] In early 2010, after a several year hiatus (from approx 2006 - 2010), Sharaz began producing and releasing new tracks again via Soundcloud, Beatport and iTunes. In 2011, Sharaz resumed regular touring, and currently uses Ableton Live and an Akai APC40 MIDI controller, rather than CD players or turntables, as a basis for his live DJ sets.