Spring Break
Disc jockey becomes NT student
Maria Saldivar
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: ARTS
Passing by The Garage on a Thursday night, it's possible that the hip-hop beats coming from within the Fry Street hangout are the product of DJ Shaun Chapa, Corpus Christi senior.
While Chapa is known for his performances at parties and other such venues, the 27-year-old mixes more than music.
Chapa graduated from high school in 1997 and joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent four years in Japan.
Chapa started to mix Mexican music in Japan as a form of entertainment. He said there were Marines and Army soldiers stationed in Japan that he would perform for, but the locals also loved his Salsa and Merengue tunes.
Upon returning from the Marine Corps, Chapa enrolled in community college.
Chapa said he wasn't planning to go any further than community college but applied to NT on a whim, not expecting he would be accepted.
"It kind of blew my mind that I was going to a university," Chapa said.
As a new student, Chapa said he was in the mindset that he only wanted to associate with Hispanic people. He said it made him feel more comfortable.
"When I first got here, I was more strong thinking raza and culture and we got to stick together," Chapa said. "Now I have a more humanistic approach. Like at the Garage I see black, white, Asian, everyone together having a good time and that's really what I work for; to see all the cultures come together."
While Chapa said he would like for all students on campus to support each other's cultures, he also said it would be nice if the Hispanic organizations could unite as one.
"I think there are 3,500 Hispanic students on campus. I don't think I've ever seen any more than 100 or 200 gathered at one time," Chapa said.
Chapa said he is planning to graduate in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, but will extend his stay for a second degree in philosophy and possibly graduate school as well.
"I just want to learn as much as I can about human culture," Chapa said. "I was a computer major at first in community college but I got tired of talking to computers all day. I wanted some interaction with humans."
While Chapa is known for his performances at parties and other such venues, the 27-year-old mixes more than music.
Chapa graduated from high school in 1997 and joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent four years in Japan.
Chapa started to mix Mexican music in Japan as a form of entertainment. He said there were Marines and Army soldiers stationed in Japan that he would perform for, but the locals also loved his Salsa and Merengue tunes.
Upon returning from the Marine Corps, Chapa enrolled in community college.
Chapa said he wasn't planning to go any further than community college but applied to NT on a whim, not expecting he would be accepted.
"It kind of blew my mind that I was going to a university," Chapa said.
As a new student, Chapa said he was in the mindset that he only wanted to associate with Hispanic people. He said it made him feel more comfortable.
"When I first got here, I was more strong thinking raza and culture and we got to stick together," Chapa said. "Now I have a more humanistic approach. Like at the Garage I see black, white, Asian, everyone together having a good time and that's really what I work for; to see all the cultures come together."
While Chapa said he would like for all students on campus to support each other's cultures, he also said it would be nice if the Hispanic organizations could unite as one.
"I think there are 3,500 Hispanic students on campus. I don't think I've ever seen any more than 100 or 200 gathered at one time," Chapa said.
Chapa said he is planning to graduate in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, but will extend his stay for a second degree in philosophy and possibly graduate school as well.
"I just want to learn as much as I can about human culture," Chapa said. "I was a computer major at first in community college but I got tired of talking to computers all day. I wanted some interaction with humans."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Miriam Morales
posted 10/10/07 @ 6:50 PM CST
WOW!!! Standing ovation for Chapa! Keep on doing your thing, con Ganas hasta lo imposible se hace realidad.
angel saucedo
posted 10/11/07 @ 2:06 AM CST
way to go dj chapa!! he's always been a supporter of all hispanic organizations at UNT helping not just us latinos but everyone who needs that extra beat to keep on moving!!! best of luck bro!
dusty oliveira
posted 10/13/07 @ 9:39 AM CST
hell yea bro!! keep it up!
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