By Chad Polito
The Montreal Alliance, Montreal’s new team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, is taking Montreal by storm. Playing their home games in the beautiful Verdun Auditorium, we have the opportunity to experience professional basketball in our own backyard.
According to the team’s website, the “Montreal Alliance presents a new basketball experience by playing the faster-paced FIBA style, playing in the only pro league in the world that uses Elam Ending for every game, and aligning sport, music, and fan-friendly entertainment”.
Several thousand fans have packed the Auditorium each week to cheer for the Alliance. While watching the pre-game warmup session, fans can enjoy food and upbeat music in anticipation of the game. DJ Blaster, a Montreal legend, can be seen courtside mixing tunes to energize the team and audience.
Blaster has been performing across Quebec, Canada and the United Sates in clubs, corporate and private events and weddings. He combines the hottest club hits, exclusive remixes and both old & new school favorites. “I started DJing in the 90’s for a group called Autoboots: we were signed to Sony. I really liked it and then started doing my own thing”, shares Blaster.
Blaster remembers hosting a BBQ in his backyard where he performed for 500 people. “One thing led to the next and before I knew it, I was opening for artists like Rihanna and Ice Cube. I have performed for over three hundred rappers and artists.”
When the Montreal Alliance were looking for their DJ, they contacted the DJ from the Toronto Raptors who recommended DJ Blaster. After a few more calls to other well-known DJ’s, the name DJ Blaster kept coming up. “I was called in for a meeting and the rest was history!”, says Blaster.
DJ Blaster is known by Sherwin at BGC Dawson and has been coaching and mentoring teens for 20 years right here in Verdun. “Most of the youth at Dawson have no idea I am a professional DJ”, shares Sherwin. “When teens show up at the Montreal Alliance they are shocked to see me on the court”!
This venue give Blaster the opportunity to share more about his professional life outside of Dawson. “This is really big for me!” concludes Blaster. “I have had a lot of parents reach out to me to ask if I could mentor their kids which is a passion of mine”.
At a game, fans can expect to hear everything from 90’s hip-hop to the present. “I love all genres of music and have something for everyone from young to old”. DJ Blaster will be at all twelve home games this season, but in case you miss them, you could also see Blaster in Italy or Cyprus where he is already booked for next year!
