DJ D-UP

"If you're mourning the closing of the Kickballers store...you can settle in with DJ D-UP (Diallo Sharif), a DJ and sneaker head who was part of the shop's team and could also be found spinning hip-hop. Known for serious underground hip-hop selections, he can also toss up popular club sets that bounce between dance, rock, '80s, electro and dancehall reggae."

-Washington Post

With stellar technical ability and a vast knowledge of music, DJ D-UP truly is party rocking at its finest. By combining hip hop "turntablism" and house style mixing, D-Up brings forth a unique approach and creates an undeniable energy, keeping partygoers begging for more. Although focusing on hip hop, D-Up incorporates all types of dance music into his action-packed sets, house, rock, funk, 70s & 80s classics, reggae, Miami bass, Baltimore club, old school, remixes, mash-ups and more.

For more than 15 years the Jamaican bred, and now Miami based, DJ has been annihilating dance floors as well as founding and maintaining various residencies, most notably in his birthplace of Washington, DC and his new hometown of Miami, Florida.

D-Up began as a backpacker, addicted to underground hip hop beats and scratch music. He spent all of his money on records and all of his time mixing and scratching. As a student at the University of Virginia, D-Up began his party rocking experience by regularly performing at the University's bars and parties. As a member of the University's Men's Soccer team, D-Up even performed at his own team's National Championship party.

Shortly after school, D-Up moved to Miami Beach and immediately took the nightlife by storm. D-Up maintained a monthly party and residency at South Beach's Club N (formerly KGB) and was also resident DJ for the notorious "Home Cookin" hip hop party, where he opened up for Miami's DJ Radamas. During this time in Miami, D-Up was also a model for Men's Board and was even featured in Tear Sheet Magazine.

Upon moving back to Washington DC in late 2001, D-Up was immediately offered residencies at DC's finest clubs and lounges. D-Up quickly became one of DC's most sought after DJ's, with promoters and clubs out-bidding each other to secure his services.

Playing over 200 shows a year, D-Up has performed at almost every hotspot in DC and his residencies gained notoriety as being the wildest parties in DC. Aside from his club gigs, D-Up has also performed alongside many talented DJ's, artists and producers from all forms of music.

While in DC, D-Up opened Kickballers, DC's premier lifestyle clothing store and skateshop, bragging premier accounts with exclusive brands such as Adidas, Reebok, The North Face, Gravis, Burton, Etnies and Shut, as well as gaining DJ and shop features by NBC4.com, The Washington Post, Fuel.tv, Lucky Magazine, DC Modern Luxury and many more. As owner of Kickballers, D-Up hosted events featuring Fat Joe, Boot Camp Clik, Wale, Tabi Bonney and more. D-Up has also performed at events sponsored by Red Bull, Scion, Gucci, WESC, and Skull Candy.

In addition to performing in clubs, D-Up also was one of a handful of DJ's used by NYC's Scratch DJ Academy for their Washington, DC corporate events and showcases. D-Up was also the DJ for private parties and events for the Washington Redskinettes and his Saturday night residency at Play Lounge was a favorite of many Washington icons and celebrities that toured through DC, including The Washington Redskins, The Washington Nationals, The Washington Wizards, The Washington Capitals, Richard Harrison (hip hop/rnb producer –ie - Beyonce's Crazy In Love), Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx and many more.

In 2008, D-Up moved back to Miami Beach and now maintains a Saturday night residency at South Beach's legendary Delano Hotel. Upon moving back to Miami, D-Up has also performed at The Red Room and Sky Bar at the Shore Club Hotel, Bella Rose, Rehab Lounge, Adidas Originals (South Beach), as well as regular performances at South Beach hotspot, Mokai.