Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel (DJ Natural Nate®) Lemieux.
Hi Nathaniel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
People often see the accomplishments first. They see the world record, the years of DJing, the music releases, the interviews, the videos, the articles, and now the growth of The-Lost-Art.com. What they don’t always see are the decades of failures, sacrifices, legal battles, financial losses, rebuilding, and relentless determination that happened behind the scenes. Those are the chapters that truly define my story.
My journey began long before people knew the name DJ Natural Nate®. Like many kids growing up in the 1980s, I was fascinated by breakdancing, hip-hop culture, scratching, and watching DJs perform what almost looked impossible. Back then there were no tutorials, no YouTube, no social media influencers teaching people how to DJ in five minutes. If you wanted to learn, you learned by listening. You studied records. You watched every movement. You failed over and over until eventually your ears began understanding what your hands were trying to accomplish.
That challenge became an addiction.
I wasn’t interested in shortcuts. I wasn’t interested in looking like a DJ. I wanted to become one.
Before music became my life’s work, I proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps taught me discipline, leadership, accountability, commitment, and perseverance. Those values never left me. In many ways, I approached DJing exactly like military training. You don’t quit because something is difficult. You master it because it is difficult.
As technology slowly entered DJ culture during the late 1990s and early 2000s, something happened that changed my entire career. I began hearing accusations that computer DJs weren’t really mixing. Since I was one of the early adopters using digital vinyl systems while still manually controlling every beat on Technics turntables, many people assumed computers were doing the work for me. Those assumptions eventually cost me opportunities and even major contracts. It was one of the most frustrating periods of my career because I knew the truth, but there was no practical way to prove it.
Most people would have argued.
I decided to build proof.
That single decision eventually changed everything.
Around 1998, I founded Bruise Your Body Breaks, better known as BYBB. The name came from a comment someone made after hearing one of my sets. They literally showed me bruises from dancing all night and joked, “If the dancing doesn’t bruise your body, the music will.” That statement became our identity. BYBB eventually grew into much more than a DJ name. It became a movement centered around underground music, originality, and supporting artists before anyone knew who they were.
By 2003 we had expanded into internet radio through Breaks FM and other online platforms. Long before livestreaming became mainstream, we were broadcasting live mixes, promoting producers from around the world, conducting interviews, and creating communities that stretched far beyond our local scene. Those early broadcasts taught me one important lesson: people wanted authenticity.
As internet broadcasting evolved, I realized something was missing.
No one could actually prove they were performing live.
Anyone could upload a prerecorded mix and call it live.
Anyone could press play and pretend.
There was no accountability.
That bothered me because I believed DJing was a performance art. If musicians perform on stage and audiences can see every note being played, why couldn’t DJs do the same?
That question became the foundation for everything that followed.
In 2009, alongside my wife and creative partner Jenna Marie, better known as Jiggabot, Damian Doyle, and later Kris Peacock, we launched www.The-Lost-Art.com with one simple but revolutionary mission: preserve the integrity of DJing through transparency. The platform was built specifically for one purpose—to prove DJs were actually mixing live.
The-Lost-Art.com became the world’s first website created solely for mandatory live DJ video and internet radio verification, requiring performers to show their hands, their mixer, their turntables, and their performance live on camera while broadcasting. This wasn’t simply another internet radio station. It wasn’t another streaming website. It was a completely different philosophy built around one principle: Prove The Mix. Years before livestreaming became common, before Twitch, before YouTube Live, and years before Facebook Live, we had already built a custom commercial-free platform dedicated entirely to live DJ verification and performance.
Looking back now, I realize we weren’t just building a website.
We were documenting history.
The platform eventually grew into an international community featuring DJs from multiple countries and genres, artist interviews, educational content, technical discussions, producer spotlights, live broadcasts, historical archives, and an ever-growing collection dedicated to preserving the culture that built DJing in the first place. We weren’t chasing algorithms. We weren’t chasing advertising revenue. We were preserving something we believed deserved to survive.
While building all of this, I never stopped performing.
One accomplishment people often ask about is the world record.
On April 29, 2010, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, I manually mixed 86 tracks at 133 BPM in one hour using two Technics SL-1200 turntables, Serato Scratch Live Version 1, a Pioneer mixer, Ortofon needles, and absolutely no sync button or automation. Every transition was beatmatched by ear. It wasn’t about speed. It was about demonstrating complete manual control under pressure. That performance remains one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of because it represented years of discipline rather than technology doing the work.
Throughout my career I’ve also been fortunate to chart multiple releases on Beatport alongside Jiggabot, release music through numerous respected international labels, receive recognition from Breakspoll’s Top 50 Breaks DJs in the World, press custom white-label vinyl records, create long-form marathon DJ performances exceeding fifteen continuous hours, and perform countless live broadcasts supporting independent artists around the globe.
Innovation has always been important to me.
Rather than simply learning existing scratch techniques, I wanted to explore what vinyl itself could become as an instrument. That experimentation eventually led to developing original techniques including the Taco Scratch, Bend Scratch, Break Scratch, and Lazer Scratch. Some people thought I was crazy for bending records and manipulating vinyl in ways nobody had attempted before. I simply saw another musical instrument waiting to be discovered.
Of course, success is never a straight line.
There have been setbacks that most people never hear about.
There have been lawsuits, legal disputes, business disagreements, trademark protection issues, domain theft, intellectual property concerns, and countless situations where years of work suddenly seemed uncertain. At one point we lost control of The-Lost-Art.com itself before ultimately recovering the platform years later. Those experiences taught me that building something meaningful isn’t just about creativity—it also requires protecting what you’ve built.
More recently, another challenge has been rebuilding The-Lost-Art.com into what I believe will become its greatest version yet.
Technology has changed dramatically since 2009. The original platform accomplished things many people thought were impossible at the time, but today’s internet demands something even larger. We’re now building a completely modern platform from the ground up with expanded DJ profiles, historical archives, community features, live broadcasting, educational resources, blogs, producer support, verification systems, music sharing, interviews, media coverage, and countless new features that continue growing every week.
This isn’t simply a redesign.
It’s the continuation of a mission that began more than two decades ago.
I’ve invested thousands of hours personally helping develop every page, every section, every historical timeline, and every piece of documentation because I believe our culture deserves an accurate historical record. Too much of DJ history has disappeared. Too many pioneers have been forgotten. Too many accomplishments have been rewritten or lost to time. I don’t want that to happen again.
The website has become as much about preservation as it is about performance.
Perhaps the accomplishment I’m proudest of isn’t a world record, a chart position, or an award.
It’s the people.
Over the years we’ve helped countless DJs, producers, promoters, labels, and artists receive exposure they might never have received elsewhere. We’ve introduced listeners to unreleased music, supported independent talent, hosted interviews, documented careers, and created friendships that have lasted decades. That’s a legacy no chart position can ever replace.
When people ask what has kept me motivated after all these years, the answer is simple.
I’ve never been chasing fame.
I’ve been chasing authenticity.
I’ve always believed one person listening is better than nobody listening. If one DJ becomes inspired to work harder, one producer receives the recognition they deserve, or one young artist discovers why mastering their craft still matters, then everything we’ve built has been worthwhile.
The title “DJ” once represented extraordinary discipline, musical knowledge, technical ability, and dedication. My life’s work has been centered around preserving the meaning of that title—not excluding people, but encouraging everyone to respect the craft enough to continue learning it.
If there’s one thing I hope people remember about my story, it isn’t the records, the rankings, or even the innovations.
I hope they remember that one person refused to let authenticity disappear.
The-Lost-Art.com has never simply been a website.
It’s a living historical archive, a community, a philosophy, and a promise that true craftsmanship will always have a place in this world.
As long as there are people who still believe skill matters, honesty matters, and passion matters more than shortcuts, then the mission continues.
And after all these years, I believe we’re only getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. If anything, the obstacles are what shaped both me and The-Lost-Art.com into what we are today. Looking back over nearly three decades, I honestly can’t think of a period where the road was ever truly easy. Every milestone seemed to come with an equally difficult challenge, but I learned very early that obstacles aren’t roadblocks—they’re opportunities to innovate and become stronger.
When I first started DJing, there were no tutorials, no social media, and no easy path into the industry. Everything was learned through countless hours of practice, listening, experimenting, and failing. Beatmatching vinyl wasn’t something you could learn overnight. It required patience, discipline, and developing your ears. There were nights where nothing seemed to work, but those struggles built the foundation for everything that came later.
One of the biggest challenges arrived as DJ technology began changing. I was one of the early adopters of digital vinyl systems while still performing completely manual mixes on Technics turntables. Unfortunately, many people immediately assumed that computers were doing all the work. That misconception became incredibly frustrating because I knew exactly how much skill and practice still went into every performance. There were opportunities that disappeared simply because people misunderstood the technology. Instead of arguing with people online or trying to convince them with words, I decided to solve the problem by creating proof.
That decision eventually became The-Lost-Art.com.
Building what became the world’s first website created solely to verify DJs were actually mixing live on video and internet radio was an enormous undertaking. There was no blueprint to follow because nobody had ever built anything like it before. We had to create custom streaming solutions, custom video systems, manage servers, deal with bandwidth limitations, solve technical problems as they happened, and convince DJs from around the world to embrace a completely new concept. We were doing this years before livestreaming platforms became commonplace. Looking back now, many of those technical hurdles seem unbelievable, but at the time we simply refused to accept that something couldn’t be done.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also experienced business setbacks that tested my resolve. Building independent platforms without large investors means every improvement comes from your own time, energy, and resources. There were periods where technology changed faster than websites could adapt. There were moments where years of work had to be rebuilt from the ground up. We even faced the loss of our domain for several years before ultimately regaining control and beginning the long process of rebuilding. Those experiences were frustrating, but they reinforced an important lesson: if your mission is strong enough, setbacks become temporary.
Financially, building a community instead of chasing profits has never been the easy path. The-Lost-Art.com has always prioritized supporting DJs, producers, and preserving the culture over maximizing revenue. That means countless hours of work that people never see—developing the website, maintaining servers, writing articles, creating DJ profiles, documenting history, producing interviews, solving technical issues, and constantly improving the platform. Most people only see the finished product. They don’t see the thousands of hours behind it.
Another challenge has been preserving history itself. The DJ industry changes rapidly, and with every new generation, important pieces of its history risk being forgotten. I’ve spent years documenting pioneers, recording interviews, preserving stories, and creating a historical archive because I believe our culture deserves to remember where it came from. That work is often overlooked, but I believe it’s one of the most important things we’ve ever done.
Personally, one of the greatest struggles has been staying true to my principles in an industry that often rewards hype over substance. It can be tempting to follow trends or take shortcuts, but I’ve always believed that authenticity lasts longer than popularity. My philosophy has never changed: respect the craft, continue learning, support other artists, and let your work speak for itself. Not everyone agrees with that approach, and that’s okay. Healthy debate has always been part of any creative field. What matters is remaining consistent with your values.
Today, one of our biggest challenges is also one of our greatest opportunities. We’re rebuilding The-Lost-Art.com into the largest and most comprehensive version it has ever been. It’s no longer just a livestreaming platform—it is becoming a historical archive, an educational resource, a community, a media outlet, and a place where DJs from every generation can share knowledge and preserve the art form. Building something of that scale takes tremendous time, planning, and dedication, but after everything we’ve overcome over the years, challenges no longer discourage me. They motivate me.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that success isn’t measured by how few obstacles you face. It’s measured by how many times you’re willing to rebuild, adapt, and keep moving forward when everyone else thinks you’re finished. Every challenge I’ve faced has ultimately strengthened both me and the mission behind The-Lost-Art.com, and I believe our best chapters are still ahead.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
If I had to describe my career in one sentence, I would say I’ve dedicated my life to preserving the authenticity, history, and artistry of DJ culture while continuously pushing its boundaries through innovation.
I’ve been involved in the DJ industry for nearly three decades, but my work has always extended far beyond simply performing. I’ve been a DJ, producer, turntablist, educator, entrepreneur, website developer, event promoter, broadcaster, historian, and community builder. Every project I’ve taken on has had one common goal: to leave the DJ culture stronger than I found it.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to accomplish things that I’m incredibly proud of. In 2010, I manually mixed 86 songs in one hour on two Technics SL-1200 turntables using Serato Scratch Live Version 1 without sync or automated beatmatching—a performance that has been recognized as a world record achievement. I’ve had multiple releases chart on Beatport, been recognized among Breakspoll’s Top 50 Breaks DJs in the World, released original productions through respected labels, created exclusive white-label vinyl records, and performed marathon live DJ sets that pushed both endurance and technical precision to their limits.
Beyond performing, I’ve always been fascinated by innovation. I developed original scratching techniques such as the Taco Scratch, Bend Scratch, Break Scratch, and Lazer Scratch because I’ve always believed the turntable is more than a playback device—it’s a true musical instrument capable of endless creativity. Those techniques came from years of experimentation, curiosity, and a desire to contribute something original to the craft rather than simply repeating what others had already done.
Perhaps my proudest professional accomplishment, however, has been creating The-Lost-Art.com.
In 2009, alongside an incredible team that included my wife and creative partner Jenna “Jiggabot,” Damian Doyle, and later Kris Peacock, we launched what we believe was the world’s first website created solely to verify that DJs were actually mixing live through dedicated live video and internet radio. At a time when prerecorded sets could easily be presented as live performances, we built a completely custom, commercial-free platform where DJs were required to show their hands, turntables, mixer, and performance live on camera. It wasn’t simply another streaming website—it was built around one philosophy: Prove the Mix.
That mission continues today.
The-Lost-Art.com has evolved into much more than a livestreaming platform. It has become an expanding historical archive dedicated to preserving DJ culture through interviews, biographies, educational articles, blogs, media coverage, live broadcasts, producer showcases, artist profiles, community networking, and historical documentation. We’re currently rebuilding the platform into its largest and most ambitious version yet, creating a resource that will serve both today’s DJs and future generations looking to understand where this culture came from.
Outside of music, I’ve also owned and operated successful businesses, which has given me a unique perspective on entrepreneurship. Building companies teaches you that talent alone isn’t enough—you need leadership, consistency, customer service, financial responsibility, problem-solving skills, and the willingness to adapt as industries evolve. Those lessons have influenced every aspect of my career, whether I’m producing music, managing projects, or developing large-scale online platforms.
One thing I’ve never wanted to do is chase trends. My career has always been about building something with lasting value. Whether that’s helping independent artists gain exposure, documenting important moments in DJ history, developing new ideas, or encouraging the next generation to respect the craft, I’ve always believed success is measured by what you leave behind, not just by personal recognition.
Today, I’m more motivated than ever. The industry continues to evolve, technology continues to change, and The-Lost-Art.com continues to grow into something far bigger than I originally imagined. Every new article, interview, DJ profile, historical archive, and community feature is another step toward preserving a culture that has shaped my entire life.
At the end of the day, I don’t want my legacy to be defined by one world record, one performance, or one accomplishment. I hope people remember me as someone who dedicated his career to protecting the integrity of DJing, supporting artists around the world, documenting the history that deserves to be remembered, and proving that passion, authenticity, and hard work will always outlast shortcuts.
When people ask what I do, the simplest answer is that I’m a DJ. But the truth is, my career has become much bigger than that over the past three decades. I’ve dedicated my life to preserving, advancing, and documenting the art of DJing from nearly every angle possible. I’m a turntablist, producer, entrepreneur, website developer, broadcaster, educator, historian, and someone who has always believed that the title “DJ” represents far more than simply playing music.
I’ve spent nearly thirty years mastering manual turntable performance because I believe the greatest performances happen when technical skill, musical knowledge, creativity, and risk all come together. I’ve always specialized in live mixing by ear, long-form storytelling through music, turntablism, electro and breakbeat culture, and pushing the creative limits of what can be accomplished with two turntables. Throughout my career, I’ve also developed original scratch techniques—including the Taco Scratch, Bend Scratch, Break Scratch, and Lazer Scratch—through years of experimentation and a desire to contribute something unique to the craft.
Beyond performing, I’ve released original productions on respected electronic music labels, earned multiple Beatport chart positions, created exclusive white-label vinyl releases, completed marathon live performances lasting well over fifteen hours, and in 2010 manually mixed 86 songs in one hour on Technics SL-1200 turntables using Serato Scratch Live Version 1 without sync or automated beatmatching. That achievement remains one of the proudest moments of my career because it represented years of discipline, preparation, and complete manual control rather than relying on automation.
As meaningful as those accomplishments are, I believe my most important work has been building The-Lost-Art.com.
In 2009, together with my wife and creative partner Jenna “Jiggabot,” Damian Doyle, and later Kris Peacock, we created what we believe was the world’s first website built specifically around one purpose: requiring DJs to prove they were actually mixing live through dedicated live video and internet radio. At a time when prerecorded sets could easily be presented as live performances, we developed a custom, commercial-free platform where DJs showed their hands, turntables, mixer, and mixing live on camera. That philosophy became our motto: “Prove the Mix.”
The-Lost-Art.com has grown into far more than a streaming platform. It has become a living archive dedicated to preserving DJ history, recognizing pioneers, supporting independent artists, publishing interviews and educational content, documenting accomplishments, and building a worldwide community that values authenticity and craftsmanship. We’re currently rebuilding the platform into its most ambitious version yet, with expanded historical archives, artist profiles, blogs, educational resources, community features, and live broadcasting designed to preserve the culture for future generations.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a world record, a chart position, or even the recognition I’ve received throughout my career. It’s knowing that I’ve spent decades trying to give something back to the culture that gave me so much. I’ve helped introduce listeners to independent artists, documented stories that might otherwise have been forgotten, created opportunities for DJs around the world to showcase their talent, and encouraged people to value authenticity over shortcuts.
I also take great pride in remaining true to my principles, even when it wasn’t the easiest path. The DJ industry has changed dramatically over the years, and technology continues to evolve. I’ve never been against innovation—in fact, I’ve embraced it throughout my career. What I’ve always believed, however, is that technology should enhance an artist’s creativity, not replace the skill, decision-making, and artistry that define the performance. That philosophy has guided every project I’ve built and every discussion I’ve had about the future of DJ culture.
If there’s one thing that truly sets me apart, it’s that I’ve never limited myself to one role. I’ve never wanted to simply perform. I’ve wanted to build platforms, preserve history, develop new techniques, support other artists, educate future generations, and leave the DJ community stronger than I found it. Whether I’m behind two turntables, producing music, writing historical articles, developing The-Lost-Art.com, or mentoring younger DJs, the mission has always been the same: protect the integrity of the craft while helping it continue to grow.
At the end of the day, I don’t measure success by awards or recognition. I measure it by impact. If my work inspires someone to practice harder, respect the history of DJing, support independent artists, or appreciate the artistry behind a truly live performance, then I know I’ve accomplished something meaningful. That’s the legacy I’m working toward, and it’s what continues to motivate me every single day.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me isn’t fame, awards, or even the accomplishments that people often associate with my career. Those things are certainly rewarding, but they were never the reason I started this journey. What has always mattered most to me is helping other people achieve their goals while preserving something bigger than any one individual. I genuinely believe that one of the greatest measures of success isn’t how high you climb yourself, but how many people you help climb with you.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of DJs, producers, promoters, musicians, and passionate fans from around the world. Every one of them started somewhere. Some lacked confidence. Some lacked opportunities. Some simply needed someone to believe in them or give them a platform where their talent could finally be seen. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to help someone take that next step—whether by giving them a live show, writing an article about them, promoting their music, introducing them to other artists, or simply encouraging them to keep going—that has always meant more to me than personal recognition.
I know what it’s like to struggle. I know what it’s like to put thousands of hours into mastering something only to have people misunderstand your work. I know what it’s like to rebuild after setbacks, lose opportunities, and wonder whether all the hard work is worth it. Because I’ve lived through those experiences, I try to be the kind of person I wish more people had been for me early in my career. If I can save someone years of frustration or help them believe in themselves, then I’ve done something worthwhile.
Another thing that matters deeply to me is preserving the craft of DJing itself.
DJing has always been much more than pressing play on a collection of songs. At its highest level, it’s one of the most demanding forms of live musical performance. A great DJ reads a room, understands musical structure, controls energy, tells a story, solves problems in real time, and constantly makes creative decisions that cannot be scripted. For those of us who learned on turntables, there was an added element of precision and risk. Every transition depended on your ears, your timing, your hands, and your ability to stay calm under pressure. Dust could make a needle skip. A record could jump. A mix could drift apart after holding two songs together for several minutes. Every performance carried uncertainty, and that uncertainty made every successful mix feel alive. There was no safety net. The audience wasn’t watching a machine perform; they were watching a human being create something unique in that very moment.
Technology has brought incredible advancements to our industry, and I believe innovation is a good thing when it empowers creativity. Throughout my own career, I’ve embraced new tools and explored new ideas. What concerns me is when technology begins replacing the very skills that once defined the craft instead of supporting them. The magic of DJing has never come from software—it has always come from the person making thousands of musical decisions in real time. That’s what deserves to be celebrated and preserved.
That belief is ultimately why The-Lost-Art.com exists.
When we launched The-Lost-Art.com in 2009, our goal was never simply to build another DJ website. We wanted to build something that protected the integrity of the art form. We believed there should be a place where DJs could demonstrate that they were truly performing live, where audiences could witness the skill behind the music, and where authenticity mattered more than appearances. To our knowledge, it became the world’s first website built solely around requiring live video proof of DJs mixing live while broadcasting through internet radio. That idea wasn’t created to exclude anyone—it was created to celebrate honesty, transparency, and craftsmanship.
As the platform has evolved, so has its purpose. Today, The-Lost-Art.com is becoming something much larger than a livestreaming website. It is growing into a historical archive, an educational resource, a media publication, a community, and a place where artists from around the world can share their stories, document their accomplishments, and preserve the history of a culture that has given so much to so many people. Too much of DJ history has been forgotten or rewritten over time. Too many pioneers have never received the recognition they deserve. If we don’t preserve those stories now, future generations may never know them.
That mission means everything to me because history matters. The people who built this culture matter. The lessons they learned matter. Understanding where an art form came from helps future generations appreciate where it’s going.
Above all else, what matters most is leaving the world better than I found it.
I hope that years from now people won’t simply remember me as someone who mixed records or held a world record. I hope they’ll remember that I tried to protect something worth protecting. That I helped artists who needed a chance. That I documented history before it disappeared. That I encouraged people to pursue excellence rather than shortcuts. That I stood up for authenticity even when it wasn’t the popular position.
Careers eventually come to an end. Awards collect dust. Records are broken. Technology continues to change. But the impact you have on other people can last for generations. If someone becomes a better artist because of something I taught them, if an independent producer finds an audience because of a platform I helped build, if a young DJ discovers the rich history of this craft and decides to honor it while creating something new, then I know my life’s work has had meaning.
In the end, that’s what matters most to me. Not building a legacy for myself, but helping preserve a legacy for an entire culture while inspiring others to write the next chapter. If The-Lost-Art.com continues to educate, inspire, connect, and preserve long after I’m gone, then I will consider that my greatest accomplishment.
Pricing:
- None Profit
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the-lost-art.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLostArtTV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DJNaturalNate
- Soundcloud: https://www.youtube.com/@DJNaturalNate
- Other: https://djnaturalnate.com
