Music is more than just an art form, a hobby or a profession – it’s a way of life. For DJ Phingaprint (Timothy Washington) this is especially true. Ever since his parents bought him his first set of turntables in 1985, Print adopted music as his life’s mission. He continues to explore and expand the boundaries of turntablism and music.
“I feel like I embody the music more than anything, says Phingaprint. “I feel like I take it more seriously than any other DJ working out there now. For me, turntablism is not just a way of life, it is my life. I can’t imagine living without wax.”
Living life to the fullest as a DJ is definitely what Print has been doing. In a 20 year span, he has attained an exceptional list of credits as a DJ, producer, and music educator. Print began his career in 1992, as a college DJ working at WMPR in Jackson. In 1994, he became a member of the Stewpot Stowaways, a collective of JSU based emcees that included David Banner & Kamikaze. He was also the DJ for the Jackson based trio, Poetic Climax, the first Mississippi based rap group to perform on BET’s now defunct Teen Summit. Two years later, Phingaprint united with fellow Stowaways, David Banner and Kamikaze to form Crooked Lettaz. The trio inked a deal with Penalty/Tommy Boy Records and released their critically acclaimed debut LP, Grey Skies in 1998. The group toured for two years.
DJ Phingaprint along with college buddies Jay*Clipp and DJ Cuzzin B, formed the DJ collective known as Point Blank Entertainment aka the Point Blank DJ’s. The crew was known for hosting the majority of college parties in Jackson. In 2001, Print began his residency at Freelon’s. He has made quite an international footprint in Ghana, Germany, Italy, the UK, Iraq, and Czech Republic. In 2006, Phingaprint reunited with his old friend David Banner to serve as tour DJ, a position he held until 2009.
Currently, Print serves as Music Director of 99.1 BDAY Radio in Jackson. He is also busy pumping out countless mixes including the critically acclaimed Dust Jams, a breakbeat mix hosted by hip hop historian, Charlie Braxton.