The moment Hanzi became a DJ, was 14 years before he ever even knew it. It was on a school trip, and he'd brought along a couple CD's, a boom box, and a bag full of batteries, to listen to while playing in some field in Tarrytown, the Lycée Français de New York kids' destination. Throughout the day, Hanzi and his close friends would intermittently listen to a song here and there. Everybody shared their CD's, so the tastes were eclectic. On the way back, while the busload of teens was hyped up on the fading memories of their glorious excursion, Hanzi decided he'd add to the energy emanating from his peers and play a song... at full volume. What was this song? The song that would change the course of a young Hanzi's life without him even knowing it... It was Master P's "Make 'Em Say Ugh". The kids erupted. All of them: Belgian, Haitian, American, French, Lebanese, Ivorian... And in unison they yelled: "Uuuuuugh... na NA na NAAAA!" And Hanzi relished in the joy he had brought his friends. He was completely entranced by the energy his song selection had brought out of the group.

From then on, Hanzi would bring his CD's, then laptop, then MP3 player to whatever house party he'd attend, or during his Xavier High School band trips (where Hanzi learned to play the sax and developed a love for jazz, swing, and blues among other genres); always ready to step in, in case the event needed a soundtrack. The thought of becoming a DJ never crossed his mind, and throughout his various lives as a pre-med student, Psych Major, Theater actor, playwright, server, bartender, process server, filmmaker, etc... his love for music had ALWAYS remained. His interest in various cultures musically brought him to all corners of the world and deep within many, many genres. Portishead and Bonnie "Prince" Billy in his ears one day, Tabou Combo and Héctor Lavoe the next. Always learning, sharing, listening, and spreading his love and joy of music to all who would listen. Always willing to plug his iPod into whatever sound system was around in order to get people dancing. Which is, incidentally, how he became a DJ.

A decade and a half after the Tarrytown trip, many peaks and valleys lived, and after a long shift bartending, Hanzi and his co-workers stepped into their usual Sunday night watering hole, Peter Dillon's, to enjoy some drinks and conversation, as they would always do. The bartender, Pete, who was very familiar with the group at this point, would always connect his phone into the establishment's sound system and proceed by enlightening Hanzi with new music. This night, it was Hanzi's turn to teach his fellow music lover something. He asked if he could plug his music in, which he hadn't done anywhere in a while, and within a half hour the whole place was up and dancing, moving their feet to songs they might not have ever heard before. The following week, it was Pete who asked Hans to step behind the bar and recreate the magical night they had had. This went on for a few weeks, and when the time came for Hanzi's company Christmas party, he was all too ready to set the tone for the evening, which took place at another establishment, The Black Sheep. This, Murray Hill, Irish Pub would become the home of Hanzi's first Friday night residency.