Harry L. Taylor III is on the school beat as an 8th Police District officer by day, but by night and weekend transforms into DJ Rockstar.
Taylor, 44, who grew up in the Hill Creek housing project and graduated from Northeast High School, began his disc jockey career at age 18 in bars in Philadelphia and Wildwood.
A former Police Explorer, he became a police officer at age 20 and has worked in the 16th and 8th districts, including a stint as the community relations officer in the 8th. He expects to spend another 10 years on the force, and thinks his DJ gigs can last for a lifetime.
“I want to continue my DJ career as far as it goes,” he said.
A Center City resident, Taylor describes himself as an “open format” DJ. He’ll play anything from oldies to current music, and adapts to the audience. On Sunday, for instance, standing on a Thackray crane truck, he played Gonna Fly Now and Eye of the Tiger at a benefit boxing card at the FOP, and each boxer asked for a certain introductory song before they entered the ring.
“I love surprising people with what song I’ll play next,” he said.
A father of two, Taylor is verified on Facebook as DJ Rockstar, with some 114,000 followers. He’s on Instagram, with almost 49,000 followers, at DJRockstar_Official. He’s signed autographs at some of his gigs.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said.
Taylor donates his services to charitable events such as Sunday’s fights, military benefits and the annual FOP survivors fund party, and donates a portion of the money he makes at his paying gigs to cancer and suicide awareness charities.
Over the years, he has traveled and played music with some well-known people in the music industry. He’s toured with Rockell, best known for her hit In a Dream. He’ll be with her May 22 in Detroit.
Others he appeared with include Blondie, the Jersey Shore cast, Joe Zangie, TKA, Rob Base, Tiesto, Kid ‘n Play, Big Sean at Welcome America, the recently deceased DMX and Justina Valentine, of MTV’s Wild ‘N Out.
Among the places he’s worked are Radio City Music Hall, the Wells Fargo Center, Resorts LandShark owned by Jimmy Buffett, Las Vegas and Norway. He’s hoping for more shows now that the coronavirus shutdowns seem to be ending.
“I’ve gotten lucky with the right connections,” he said.
Taylor also works in music production, teaming with J3rze on Amazed, a remake of the Lonestar hit.
“My goal is to grow as a DJ and in music production, too, and keep donating to foundations,” he said.
To contact Taylor, email djrockstarphilly@gmail.com. ••
