Today, DJs are often associated with turntablism or the emerging EDM scene. Often overlooked are the mobile DJs who travel around with their portable sound systems and perform for a variety of events including wedding receptions, company parties, and high school dances. A scholar, journalist and DJ, Oliver Wang uncovers the hidden history of the Filipino American mobile DJ scene in his new book Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews in the San Francisco Bay Area, out now on Duke University Press and Amazon.com. Wang’s book reveals a fascinating glimpse into a culture and music scene that completely fell under the radar, yet served as the cradle for modern DJing.

Copies of the book will also be available at the official Legions of Boom book party on Saturday, September 19 at 9pm at BRIX 581 in Oakland.

In partnership with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), I spoke with Wang about the phenomenon of the Bay Area Filipino American mobile DJ scene, the role of women in the scene, and the social factors that contributed to its unique rise and demise.

Read and Listen to the interview here: http://caamedia.org/blog/2015/09/14/legions-of-boom-the-forgotten-era-in-west-coast-hip-hop-and-dance-music/