We once asked local turntablism guru Logan Howard to approximate how many gigs he's performed over the course of his 16-year stint as DJ Element. While he wasn't able to answer the question exactly -- which you can't fault him for, considering the staggering length of his career -- but estimated it was "somewhere in the thousands."
On February 28, you can add one more performance to that hazy total, and it's probably one of the biggest of the bunch, since it will be Howard's swan song as DJ Element.
See also: - DJ Element Announces His Retirement - DJ Element on Timing, DJ Quik, and Repping the Southwest - Best Hip-Hop DJ (2012): DJ Element
Howard, who has decided to turn in his turntables and call it a career when he announced his retirement last month, will provide one final performance behind the decks during a special edition of The Blunt Club on Thursday, February 28, at the Yucca Tap Room in Tempe.
"[Mark] your calendars," Howard wrote on his Facebook page, "I make my return to the world famous Blunt Club. This will be my final show in AZ, so don't miss out. Come make history with me and my family and friends."
As Howard told Up on the Sun back in August, he'd parted ways with The Blunt Club crew after spending several years as one of the residents of the venerated weekly hip-hop experience. While he declined to comment as to why he'd taken a hiatus from the event, scuttlebutt from the scene indicated there was a bit of drama going on behind the scenes.
All that's apparently water over the dam at this point as Element will reunite with his hip-hop homies for one last hurrah.
"It feels great to head back to my old stomping grounds" Howard recently stated on Facebook. "Having been a part of the [Blunt Club] for many years -- whether it was Priceless Inn, Hollywood Alley, Club Red to Yucca Tap Room -- I felt that it was only right to end my 16 years as a DJ at the spot that opened many doors for me and to work with my good friend Dumperfoo one last time, this man gave me my first gig when I was 17 years old. It's been a long time coming."
Blunt Club resident Pickster One will also perform during the event, which we guarantee will be an absolute turntablism clinic and gigantic scratch fest. If you've ever wanted to witness the proper way to roll the record decks this will be a perfect opportunity to do so.
We'd recommend buying tickets, but (as always with the Blunt Club) admission is free. Make sure you show up early, however, as the place is guaranteed to be packed.
