Originally from Mississippi, DJ Ayres got his start in upstate New York spinning hip-hop on college radio and at parties. He is known for playing a wild range of music, from rap to house, bass, reggae, rock-n-roll and classics. On top of promoting and DJing at The Rub, Ayres rocks parties all over the US and releases a new best-selling mix CD every month.

In 2002, Ayres had his birthday party at his friends’ new Rock & Roll venue, Southpaw. They called the party The Rub, and played mostly disco and weird eighties records with some rock and hip-hop thrown in for good measure. 500 people packed in the dance, and The Rub was made a monthly, with residents Ayres, Eleven & Mikey Palms. Over the months and years at The Rub, Ayres and the crew have given shine to dozens of incredible guest djs.

The Rub was widely recognized as the best monthly club night in New York City, and by 2004 the word was out. An article in The New York Times about DJ Ayres, Danger Mouse and Hollertronix said DJ Ayres “has quietly become one of New York’s best mixtape D.J.’s.” In annual Best of New York editions, The Rub was named “Best party in Brooklyn to dance sweatily to smart music” by The Village Voice and “Best party in NYC” by The New York Press. By 2005 Ayres and The Rub were featured in Vice, XLR8R, Urb, The Fader, Hip-Hop Connection (UK) and more. Spin Magazine called The Rub “New York’s hottest dj collective.”