producer | Born This Way | Paul Blair

The abundance of similarly named acts has our heads spinning. We help you sort them out.

DJ White Shadow
Who: Paul Blair is a Chicago-based producer and DJ whose highly danceable mix tapes helped him reach headliner status in the dance-club world. But his big break came when Lady Gaga asked him to create tracks for her mega-successful Born This Way album. His work with the pop superstar helped him land a spot on last summer’s touring Identity Festival, and he released his own EP of original music titled I’m Killing Me.

The Essentials: Included in the nine songs he co-produced on Born This Way are the empowering title track and the radio hit “The Edge of Glory.” Find his club-ready originals and ­remixes at www.djwhiteshadow.com

DJ Shadow
Who: California hip-hop producer Josh Davis has been building his reputation as a sampling pioneer since 1989. His first full-length album, 1996’s Endtroducing, was made entirely of samples. Rather than taking the most recognizable parts of songs and repurposing them in a catchy chorus, Davis’ approach is more about building textures and moods.

The Essentials: Endtroducing track “Organ Donor” makes the most of its namesake instrument before it evolves into a laid-back head-bobber. But his more recent albums, like The Less You Know, The Better (2011), see DJ Shadow step outside the hip-hop box. Find out more at www.djshadow.com



Lyrically Speaking

“It’s hard to understand that when you’re running by yourself it’s hard to find someone to hold your hand.”

Grimes, “Oblivion”
Visions
(Arbutus Records, $15)