Los Angeles' hottest export opened for hip-hop legend Q-Tip at Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and you can stream his entire set below.

Before You Press Play

Hometown: Los Angeles

The Facts: DâM-FunK, a.k.a. Damon Reddick, is the modern-day “Ambassador of Boogie Funk,” a genre born in the early 1980s out of funk’s bumpy breaks and the new, aerodynamic music they called disco. DâM (pronounced “Dame”) got his start playing keyboard on gangsta rap albums in the early ‘00s, but didn’t create a real name for himself until his “Funkmosphere” parties became the talk of L.A. a few years ago.

Special Report: DâM was all ready to play a 90-minute set before Q-Tip took over the decks (er, laptops) at quarter-til-2010. But just as DâM was about to get things started, someone backstage triggered a fire alarm, giving the crowd another go at the bar.  When DâM started 30 minutes later, he got in less than one song before yet another alarm went off backstage, this time earning a visit from the FDNY. It wasn't until after 11pm that DâM finally got his funk flowing, and you can sense the frustration in his voice during his brief and to-the-point intro.

The Sound: Boogie Funk, which is sort of like early Prince without the guitars or platform heels. And like Prince, some of it is R-rated. You’ve been warned. (Note: Listen closely around the 13:30 mark. DâM's commentary almost surpasses his music.)

Latest Release: 2009’s Toeachizown (Stones Throw), which also happens to be my favorite record of the past year. It was re-released Monday as a 5xLP boxset.

He Said, She Said: “To hear him talk about funk is to hear an alchemist orate on the elixir of life—he speaks of its untold power, its limitless influence, of its ability to help, and furthermore, to heal. It’s the type of zeal that could lend itself to quick dismissal as hopeless fanaticism or just plain delusion, but DâM is a true believer in the way most believers of ethereal forces are.” – Felipe Delerme, The Fader

“Like Menace II Society on wax, Toeachizown is an instant Los Angeles classic. It’s warm, cold, therapeutically friendly and scathingly sinister. And, no matter how much it fronts to the contrary, it’s deeply human.” – Emerson Dameron, Dusted

Setlist:

1. DâM-FunK - "Killdatmuthafu*ka"
2. DâM-FunK - "Hood Pass Intact"
3. DâM-FunK - "Mirrors"
4. Starshine  - "All I Need Is You"
5. Wizardz - "Boogie Slyde"
6. DâM-FunK - "Burn Rubber"

Check out the video to DâM-FunK’s new single “Mirrors” below.