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Blackout (musician)

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DJ BlackOut
Background information
Born
Winston Thomas

(1979-10-10) October 10, 1979 (age 46)
Garden City, New York, U.S.
OriginFreeport, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter, DJ
Years active2004–present
LabelsBlackOut Movement (CEO), RecordGram (co-founder)
Websitedjblackout.com

Winston Thomas (born in Freeport, New York), known professionally as DJ BlackOut or simply BlackOut, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ. He is the founder and CEO of BlackOut Movement and co-founder of the music technology startup RecordGram.[1] He is best known for producing the single "This Is Why I'm Hot" by Mims, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007.[2]

Life and career

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Thomas was born in Freeport, New York, to Jamaican parents from Kingston and Mandeville.[3] He began DJing at high school parties and clubs before joining Wyclef Jean’s Refugee Camp, where he toured and performed.[4]

In 2007, Thomas produced "This Is Why I'm Hot" by Mims, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and established him as a mainstream producer.[5] He went on to work with artists including Jim Jones, Fabolous, Jason Derulo, Flo Rida, and Nicki Minaj.[6]

Thomas signed with Nicki Minaj’s publishing company, Pink Friday Records, in 2012.[7] His production on Minaj’s track "Roman Holiday" from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) gained wide attention after it was chosen for her performance at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. Grammy producers insisted on the track, and the performance’s theatrical religious imagery generated both criticism and praise.[8]

In 2017, Thomas co-founded RecordGram, a mobile music collaboration app. The company won TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco from a wild-card position and was later accepted into the Project Music accelerator in Nashville.[9]

Thomas and RecordGram appeared on Apple’s reality competition series Planet of the Apps, pitching their app to will.i.am and Lightspeed Venture Partners.[10]

In August 2024, Thomas co-founded **Ave Eats**, a community-based on-demand food delivery app serving Ave Maria and surrounding areas. The platform was launched with Lucas Jaramillo and focuses on supporting local restaurants and creating jobs while also donating a portion of each order to US Hunger. During its soft launch, the app recorded over 350 downloads in its first two days. Restaurants on the platform included Oasis The Kitchen Lounge, Blue Agave, Tropical Smoothie Café, and Vicky Bakery.[11]

As a DJ, Thomas has performed internationally at festivals in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and at prominent clubs in Miami’s South Beach.[12]

Production style

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Thomas produces afrohouse, hip hop, R&B, dancehall, and dance music, often citing his Jamaican heritage as an influence. He uses Akai MPC systems, Abelton, Pro Tools, and Native Instruments’ Maschine.[13]

Production discography

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2004

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2005

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  • "Spanish Fly" – Jim Jones feat. Chico DeBarge (On My Way to Church)
  • "Life As A Ridah" – Jim Jones (On My Way to Church)
  • "Bend n Stretch" – Jim Jones (On My Way to Church)[15]

2006

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  • "Leave You Alone" – Cam’ron (Killa Season)
  • "This Is Why I’m Hot" – Mims (single)[16]

2007

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  • Multiple tracks on Mims’ Music Is My Savior, including "Like This," "Cop It," and "It’s Alright"
  • "This Is Why I’m Hot (Reggae Remix)" feat. Junior Reid & Cham
  • "This Is Why I’m Hot (Rock Version)" feat. Purple Popcorn (Microsoft Zune commercial)[17]

2008–2016

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  • "There He Go" – Fabolous (Loso’s Way)
  • "Cocaine" – UGK (Underground Kingz)
  • "Ghetto Soldier" – Ky-Mani Marley (Radio)
  • "Be With You" – Aaron Carter feat. Flo Rida
  • "Encore" – Jason Derulo (Jason Derulo)
  • "White Girl" – Trina feat. Flo Rida & Git Fresh (Amazin)
  • "Boom Shaka Laka" – Brianna feat. Flo Rida (Girl Talk)
  • "Blow Ya Mind" – Nicki Minaj (Pink Friday)
  • "Roman Holiday" – Nicki Minaj (Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded)[18]
  • "FML" – Don Omar feat. Mims
  • "Angel" – Prostyle feat. Nicki Minaj, Jeremih (2014)
  • "Build" – Sean Paul (2015)
  • "All In" – Sean Paul feat. Mims, Amara La Negra (2015)
  • "Put It On" – Shaggy (2016)
  • "Take You Home" – DJ Shadow feat. Sean Paul, Badshah (2016)[19]
  • "Baby Marvake Maanegi" – Raftaar x Nora Fatehi (2018)

2019

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  • "Slowly Slowly" – Guru Randhawa feat. Pitbull (single)[20]

2025

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  • "Rebelión" – Blackout RMX (single)[21]

Awards and nominations

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  • 2008 – ASCAP Awards: Ringtone of the Year ("This Is Why I’m Hot") – Won[22]
  • 2008 – ASCAP Awards: Pop Music Award ("This Is Why I’m Hot") – Won[23]
  • 2012 – Grammy Awards: Best Rap Album (Pink Friday) – Nominated[24]
  • 2012 – Latin Grammy Awards: Best Urban Album (Don Omar Presents MTO2) – Won[25]

References

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  1. ^ Constine, Josh (2017-09-20). "RecordGram wins TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2017". TechCrunch. Verizon Media. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  2. ^ Trust, Gary (2007-03-10). "The Billboard Hot 100: This Is Why I'm Hot". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  3. ^ "Blackout shines with Nicki Minaj". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  4. ^ "Wyclef Jean & Refugee Camp Profile". Vibe. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  5. ^ Trust, Gary (2007-03-10). "The Billboard Hot 100: This Is Why I'm Hot". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  6. ^ "MTV News – DJ BlackOut credits". MTV. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  7. ^ "Nicki Minaj Publishing Venture". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  8. ^ Berry, Peter A. (2012-02-14). "Nicki Minaj Explains Grammy Performance Of "Roman Holiday," Responds To Criticism". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  9. ^ Bruner, Raisa (2017-09-22). "The Startup That Could Change How Musicians Collaborate". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  10. ^ "Planet of the Apps Recap – RecordGram". POW.RS. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  11. ^ "Ave residents launch "Ave Eats" app bringing more jobs and meal options to town". AveMaria.com. Ave Maria. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  12. ^ "Festival Appearances – DJ BlackOut". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  13. ^ "Interview with DJ BlackOut". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  14. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  15. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  16. ^ Trust, Gary (2007-03-10). "The Billboard Hot 100: This Is Why I'm Hot". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  17. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  18. ^ Berry, Peter A. (2012-02-14). "Nicki Minaj Explains Grammy Performance Of "Roman Holiday," Responds To Criticism". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  19. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  20. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  21. ^ "Winston "BlackOut" Thomas". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  22. ^ "ASCAP Pop Music Awards – 2008". ASCAP. 2008. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  23. ^ "ASCAP Pop Music Awards – 2008". ASCAP. 2008. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  24. ^ "54th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees". The Recording Academy. 2012. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  25. ^ "13th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Winners". Latin Grammy Awards. 2012. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
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