Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Boyte.
Hi Craig, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started DJing in the late 1980s, originally playing hip hop, and began working professionally in the early 1990s. My first major chapter was at the Mall of America, where I DJed five or six nights a week. That experience taught me how to read a room, adapt quickly, and keep very different kinds of crowds engaged.
From there, I became deeply involved in the Minneapolis alternative and goth scene. I held long running residencies at Ground Zero, including Bondage a Go Go and Forbidden Bazaar, as well as Hard Mondays at The Saloon. Over the years, I also played major events such as the Minneapolis Goth Prom, CONvergence, and Eccentrik Festival.
I moved to Denver in 2017 and gradually became part of the local scene. After guest appearances and early residencies, I went on to play events including Milk Bar, Dark Tuesdays, KINK, 2nd Fridays at Tracks, Void & Veil, BASSment, and the Denver Goth Prom.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to open for artists including Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, VNV Nation, Covenant, Lords of Acid, Front Line Assembly, Combichrist, and many others.
More than thirty years later, what still motivates me is the same thing that drew me to DJing in the beginning: discovering music, creating an atmosphere, and building a connection with a crowd.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. The biggest challenge came when I moved from Minneapolis to Denver in 2017. I had spent years building relationships, residencies, and a reputation in Minneapolis, and suddenly I was in a new city where I did not know anyone in the scene.
In many ways, I had to start my DJ career over from scratch. I had to introduce myself, attend events, support other DJs and promoters, and slowly earn trust. My experience and history did not automatically translate into opportunities in a new city.
It was humbling, and there were times when progress felt slow. My first guest set did not come until about a year after I moved, and my first residency came the following year. I had to be patient and let things develop naturally rather than expecting immediate results.
Looking back, that experience made me a stronger DJ and a more grounded person. It reminded me that talent and experience matter, but so do relationships, consistency, and showing genuine support for the community. Rebuilding in Denver was difficult, but it has also been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work as a DJ is centered on creating an atmosphere and building a connection with the crowd. I am best known for goth, industrial, darkwave, EBM, synthpop, and related alternative genres, but my background has always been broad. I started with hip hop and spent years playing mixed format rooms, which taught me how to read a crowd and move comfortably between styles.
Since joining KINK and 2nd Fridays at Tracks, I have expanded further into Bass House, Tech House, Electro House, and other club focused genres. I have also explored Cyber, Midtempo, and Industrial Bass through Boot Skector, BASSment, and events such as CyberHexx.
What sets me apart is the combination of experience, versatility, and curiosity. After more than three decades of DJing, I have a deep catalog to draw from, but I am still constantly discovering new music and challenging myself creatively. I am most proud of the longevity of my career, the communities I have been part of, and the fact that I continue to evolve.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing joy in others and being around happy people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigboy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Nitrogen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraigBoyte
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_nitrogen
