DJ Mike Kruz lives to move people. Whether that be taken literally, with party goers grooving to his mixes on the dance floor, or the feeling inside that they walk away with at the end of the night, Kruz finds nothing more satisfying than orchestrating a musical journey for the masses. Creativity runs wild when Mike plays, blending hip-hop, house, rock, reggae, old school classics or an artful mash of all that and more.
Growing up in Binghamton, NY, DJ Mike Kruz became fascinated with the sounds his father's stereo made when a needle was lowered atop a piece of vinyl placed upon its turntable. Records from Michael Jackson, Tears For Fears, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Mangione and Rick James all sounded different, but each struck a chord with the youngster. It wasn't until college at Syracuse University that Kruz learned how to combine music together with two similar decks and a mixer. Mike entered radio at S.U.'s WJPZ (Z89) volunteering his voice, as a freshman, to the Friday night graveyard shift. However, it was the mix-show that aired before his four hours that would change his life.
DJ Mike Kruz found himself enamored with the art of mixing records, coming earlier and earlier to ask questions of and observe DJ Pass Tha Mic and the crew of the "Friday Night Party". His dedication, enthusiasm, and countless hours of practice outside of the studio got him noticed, as he was later asked to co-host and mix for the show. During his last two years at Syracuse University, Kruz, alongside DJ Splyce (Hollywood's "DJ to the Stars") and DJ Double-A, made the "FNP" a weekly staple on Syracuse radios.
The "Triple Threat", as they became known, rocked countless parties not only on campus, but also at Syracuse's hottest nightspots like The Country Club and Club Liquids. It was at The Country Club that the trio hosted and mixed for both the student and the student-athlete alike. They were asked to do several parties featuring S.U.'s biggest sports stars, including the draft gala for future NFL superstar Donovan McNabb.
Following college, Kruz returned to Binghamton and radio there (WMRV, WWYL), at the same time playing at clubs inside and outside of town, including NYC (Club Heaven). Then it was off to Burlington, VT to work with KISS-FM (WVTK), lending his talents on the turntables to the bars and clubs there as well. A short 6 months later, Mike got the call to work at the legendary WKRZ in Scranton, PA. It was during that time that Kruz not only hosted evenings, but also lent his mixing abilities to specialty programming.
DJ Mike Kruz has accomplished a great deal since landing in Charleston, SC in December of 2005. In addition to being heard on and mixing for WIHB (B92) over three years, Kruz has held down residencies at a variety of Chucktown hotspots like Purple Tree Lounge, Wasabi, Tsunami and Market Street Saloon along with a monthly guest spot at Saya Lounge in Savannah, GA. In addition, he has frequently spun at Light, Torch Velvet Lounge, Trio Club, Social, Johnson's Pub and more. Kruz was also featured on the cover and inside the pages of Charleston's Graffiti Magazine in an article that profiled local djs. He played a big part in the launch of Aloft Hotel (a division of W Hotels) in Charleston, spinning at their inaugural party with DJ Annalyze and New Year's Eve 2009 with DJ Shortee. Quite simply, DJ Mike Kruz has become synonymous with what's hot in Charleston nightlife.
Pushing forward, Kruz is excited to share his passion with, "Those who have ears that will listen and feet that will dance." Not content with being a household name in Charleston or even the southeast, DJ Mike Kruz has bigger plans. In the words of Eric B. & Rakim, "My job is never done, but done well."
