DJ Freestyle Steve

As Timbaland’s official Dj, Freestyle Steve has traveled and worked with artists like Missy Elliot and Justin Timberlake.

But Johnson always finds himself back in North Miami.

“I’ve been a lot of places and there’s nothing like Miami,” said Johnson. “The weather…you can’t beat it–there is no other place for me.”

“Some of my family actually lived in North Miami, so when it was time for me to get a place, I chose North Miami. Everything I want or need is near me: restaurants, the studio and the water.”

Steve Johnson, better known as Dj Freestyle Steve, was born and raised in Allapattah, a subdivision near Miami’s urban art district. He attended Santa Clara Elementary School, Allapattah Elementary School, Allapattah Middle School and Miami Jackson High—where he met Dj Uncle Al.

“When I met him, he invited me to his radio station and it was history from there,” said Johnson.

“Wherever you saw Al, you saw me.”

Dj Uncle Al, born as Albert Moss, was also a Miami-native who hosted a radio show on 98.7 FM. Moss and Johnson were part of a group called the Sugarhill Dj’s, which was named after the Sugar Hill projects in Liberty City, where Moss grew up.

Johnson would travel with the group to places, including Gainesville and Tallahassee. Moss was also the one that gave Johnson the name “Freestyle” because of his variety in music and ability to do many things, like work with computers and rap.

After Moss’ death on September 10, 2001, things changed a bit for Johnson, but he continued to Dj. He eventually met singer, songwriter, and producer Timbaland through a mutual friend.