James Zabiela

Although the club genre prides itself on keeping things au courant, many of the most prominent DJs on the international circuit have been around for ages. That makes James Zabiela, who's 27, among the younger jocks to earn full-fledged superstar status -- although he reached this level with a little...

By Michael Roberts

May 10, 2007

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Although the club genre prides itself on keeping things au courant, many of the most prominent DJs on the international circuit have been around for ages. That makes James Zabiela, who's 27, among the younger jocks to earn full-fledged superstar status -- although he reached this level with a little help from a famous (and older) friend. A Brit by birth, he came to prominence after his mixtapes turned the heads of folks at Muzik magazine, who named him the winner of the publication's 2000 "Bedroom Bedlam" contest. After Muzik feted Zabiela again in 2001, he signed with Excession, an agency associated with Alexander Coe, better known as Sasha, whose vote of confidence helped to catapult JZ into spinning's top ranks. On his new disc, the entrancingly varied One + One, Zabiela returns the favor, using his name recognition to boost the career of Nic Fanciulli, another next-generation jock on the upswing. Watch out, old guard: The new guard is on its way.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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