Back in Toronto, it looks like I missed the worst of the weather. My trip to Vancouver was relaxing where I was able to rekindle old friendships and see people one last time until next Christmas. Gung Hai Fat Choi to all those who celebrated it. – Shout out to Marcuss!

During the summer of 2005, I acquired a mixtape from a Toronto DJ in Vancouver. What I did not anticipate was that I would end up stalking this DJ to all his events when I returned to Toronto – from his past residency at Afterlife to his current weekly night at Chinadoll. DJ Mensa lives by his slogan, “Do it early, do it often” daily, discovering his love for music at the age of seven when his older brother exposed him to the world of hip-hop. Mensa confirmed his love when he gained his very first gig in high school at a friend’s house party. “It was so PG-13, it was great!”

Since his adolescence, Mensa as accomplished many achievements including many televised guest appearances on CBC, MTV Select, and MuchVibe. He now spins for Project Bounce’s Late Night Radio Show and is the resident DJ of Peachfuzz, every Thursday at Chinadoll and Where’s D’Angelo?, every third Saturday of the month at the Rivoli, co-presented by The Academy of Sound, an affiliate of Mensa.

When asked about his favourite gig, I was surprised Mensa did not mention any of his opening acts for prominent artists such as Kardinal Offishall, Lil’ Jon, BrassMunk, DJ Premier, Saukrates, or Masta Ace. Instead, he reminisced about his gig at a Western University frat party in 2005. “I went from 10pm to 6am. It was the wildest, girls lined up to dance at the speakers with sweat dripping from the ceiling. It was fabulous!”

To learn more about DJ Mensa click on his new website at http://www.djmensa.com or go to http://www.myspace.com/djmensa for some ear candy.

I know Mensa is going to kill me, but this is the reason why he’s one of my favourites, as he takes the role of DJ to a whole new level. Catch him at Peachfuzz with Rod Skimmins and guest DJ Needle Kineval from my hometown this Thursday at Chinadoll (587 College). Who knows, you may even be able to catch one of Mensa’s special after-party performances.