10/31/2025
It's The-Lost-Art.com's 15th year anniversary! Its been an incredibly long road with so many achievements, ground breaking ideas, good times and also bad times. It seems as time passes, the history of this Pioneering Idea and website is lost in the translation as does most things, as the world turns. We have so many DJ's, Producers, Web techs and more to thank and never want anyone to ever be forgotten for making real history. We have been trying to collect a better historical back round to the Website and more. If anyone has anything they would like to add for future references, please let us know. This was an incredible time for internet radio pushing the boundaries into making what you were listening to, into an actual visual of what good and even great DJing was about with the power of Technology and Live Internet Video capabilities. Thank you for your support. Its been a great ride with mostly great times.... We are extremely proud of the accomplishments we did in a short amount of time. It still seems like yesterday. Here is a simple breakdown to some of the history of www.the-lost-art.com...
The-Lost-Art.com — Preserving The Pitch (Established 2009)
“Supporting Real DJs Since 2009”
Compiled: October 30, 2025
The First Pioneering DJ Live-Video Website in the World
In an era when digital shortcuts began to overshadow musical authenticity, one idea sparked a revolution: What if DJs were required to prove their mix live, on video?
That question — first asked by DJ Natural Nate® — gave birth to a cultural milestone: The-Lost-Art.com. Founded in 2009 alongside Jenna “Jiggabot” and Damian Doyle, with Kris Peacock joining as co-founder in 2015, it became the first website in the world dedicated entirely to verified, live-video DJ performance.
Before YouTube Live, before Twitch, before live streaming became mainstream, The-Lost-Art.com made live video proof mandatory. Every mix had to be performed and shown in real time — with visible decks, manual pitch control, and the DJ’s own hands guiding the art. It was built not for fame or profit, but for truth — to protect the skill and integrity that defined the real DJ craft.
Its guiding philosophy, “Preserving The Pitch,” wasn’t a slogan — it was a code of honor. It stood for integrity over illusion, passion over pretense, and humility over hype.
Origins: From Proof to Purpose (2003 – 2008)
The roots of The-Lost-Art.com trace back to the early 2000s — long before streaming or social media took hold.
In 2003, DJ Natural Nate® and his early collaborators — Luke Babcock, Ian “Ghost” Correll, Daniel Verela, and Brandon McKimm — launched Bruise Your Body Breaks (BYBB) on Breaks FM, one of the earliest online radio stations dedicated to breakbeat and underground electronic music.
At the time, online DJ sets were audio-only, and many “live” performances were actually pre-recorded. When Nate’s mixes gained attention for their precision and speed, skeptics accused him of using software automation. Refusing to accept false accusations, Nate began recording his performances with handheld camcorders to prove every mix was real, live, and manual.
That act of proof — of showing the mix — became a defining moment in DJ broadcasting history. It evolved into a movement: a promise to bring accountability and honesty back to performance.
By 2007, Nate was streaming hybrid video shows on Nubreaks.com, merging sound and vision in real time. Yet he soon saw that many DJs were still faking it — uploading pre-mixed “live” sets. Nate realized the industry had lost its standard. That realization ignited his mission to build a platform that rewarded skill, not illusion — a place where DJs would earn their credibility through visible proof of real performance.
That vision became The-Lost-Art.com.
2009: The Revolution Begins
When The-Lost-Art.com officially launched in 2009, it redefined online performance. The platform’s backbone was authenticity — every show was live, every transition visible. There were no commercials, no sponsors, no pre-recorded content.
Only DJs who could prove they mixed by ear and by hand were allowed to represent the brand.
It wasn’t enough to have technical skill — The-Lost-Art.com required character.
Every applicant had to demonstrate not only true manual mixing, but also humility, respect, and a positive presence both inside and outside the DJ community.
Ego-driven behavior was not tolerated.
The founders believed that a real DJ was not just a performer, but a person of integrity — someone who uplifted others, stayed humble, and respected the culture.
Becoming a TLA DJ was a badge of honor that had to be earned — not bought, not faked, and never self-proclaimed.
The Engine Behind the Art
The-Lost-Art.com’s technological foundation and creative vision were built by a passionate, independent team:
Joel White and Dave Viral developed the original streaming system — a technical breakthrough at the time that enabled high-quality live video without mainstream streaming infrastructure.
Damian Doyle and Demetrius Austin (†2012) managed scheduling, DJ coordination, and artist support.
Nicole and Sean Dodman (Dodman House) contributed through management, event collaboration, and performance support.
Kris Peacock joined as co-founder in 2015, helping expand TLA’s reach and evolve its community-driven focus.
Together, they created a digital sanctuary for DJs who valued authenticity over image — a place where performance met purpose.
Core Values — The Spirit of “Preserving The Pitch”
The-Lost-Art.com was built on values that transcended music:
Authenticity: Every mix had to be genuine — no pre-records, no automation, no sync buttons. The truth was always visible.
Integrity: Members held themselves to the highest moral and creative standards. Credibility was earned through honesty and skill.
Humility: The platform demanded DJs to check their egos at the door. Arrogance had no place in the art of connection.
Character: A TLA DJ had to be a good person — supportive, kind, and respectful. It wasn’t just about how you mixed, but how you carried yourself.
Innovation: The first to require video proof of performance, TLA inspired an entire era of digital DJ transparency.
Inclusivity: DJs of all genres and backgrounds — including women and underrepresented artists — found an equal platform.
Community: Friendship, collaboration, and respect fueled the ecosystem. Every artist was part of something greater than themselves.
Preservation: Each set was archived, becoming part of one of the world’s first digital museums of authentic DJ performance.
Education: The platform taught aspiring DJs how to truly mix — by ear, by timing, and by feel.
Accountability: The motto “Prove the Mix” wasn’t optional; it was the foundation of The-Lost-Art.com’s identity.
Cultural Impact and Global Reach
Almost overnight, The-Lost-Art.com became a global phenomenon. Millions tuned in to witness live, skill-based performances — watching DJs manually blend and manipulate records in real time. The massive influx of traffic occasionally crashed servers — a symbol of the movement’s authenticity and popularity.
DJs from every continent joined the cause. The platform unified genres, genders, and generations — all under the banner of “Preserving The Pitch.” It gave voice to those who valued passion and skill over fame, inspiring countless imitators but remaining unmatched in integrity.
The Industry’s Fall from Meaning: When “DJ” Lost Its “Disc”
Over time, the word “DJ” — Disc Jockey — lost its true meaning. What once stood for the art of manipulating physical sound on spinning records has become distorted by technology that does the work for the performer.
In today’s scene, devices with automatic beat-matching, sync buttons, and pre-loaded playlists have stripped the human element from DJing. The term “DJ” is now often used for anyone pressing play, while the art of timing, control, and feel — the soul of the craft — fades into obscurity.
This over-reliance on technology has abused the art form, replacing creativity with convenience. Many have forgotten that DJing was never about pushing buttons — it was about the ear, the hand, and the heart working together in real time.
The-Lost-Art.com stood as the rebellion against that decay. It fought to restore meaning to the word Disc Jockey — reminding the world that the “disc” matters, that the “jockey” is a rider steering the rhythm, not a passenger being carried by software.
By enforcing manual pitch control, live camera proof, and visible decks, TLA ensured that the true definition of DJing — a human connection between vinyl, beat, and emotion — would not die under the weight of automation.
The-Lost-Art.com’s True Stance: Not Against Technology, But Against Its Abuse
The-Lost-Art.com has never been against technology. In fact, it has embraced innovation while defending authenticity. The platform allowed anyone with any device — from traditional turntables to digital controllers — to perform, as long as they could prove the mix was genuine, live, and created by hand and ear.
This inclusivity even extended to controller DJs, many of whom demonstrated remarkable skill and creativity under TLA’s strict authenticity standards.
The-Lost-Art.com’s stance has always been clear: it is not against technology itself, but against the abuse of technology — against tools that fake skill, automate artistry, or remove the human connection from the music.
Technology, when used responsibly, can enhance creativity; but when abused, it erases the very spirit that defines DJing. The-Lost-Art.com exists to protect that spirit.
The 2010 World Record: Proof of Legacy
On April 29, 2010, DJ Natural Nate® made history live on The-Lost-Art.com, setting the world record as the fastest mixing DJ on two turntables — 86 tracks mixed at 133 BPM within one hour, using only manual skill.
He used Technics SL-1200 turntables, a Pioneer mixer, Serato Scratch Live Version 1 (no sync button), Ortofon cartridges, and Shure headphones — all streamed live, backed by Rane Corporation.
As Nate said:
“It wasn’t about how fast I could go — it was about control. Every beat, every blend, every transition was live, by hand, and by ear.”
That record embodied the entire TLA philosophy — precision, proof, and passion.
Legacy: Beyond Technology
The-Lost-Art.com changed the meaning of “live.” It proved that truth still mattered, even in a digital age of shortcuts. Every performance archived on the site became a timeless artifact — evidence of human skill in an increasingly automated world.
Every modern live DJ stream — from Twitch to Boiler Room — owes a part of its DNA to TLA’s pioneering foundation. Yet none can claim to have done it first, or with more integrity.
The-Lost-Art.com remains the world’s first and original DJ live-video website — a monument to truth in art.
The Philosophy Lives On
Even now, “Preserving The Pitch” continues to inspire DJs and music lovers worldwide. It means respecting the roots, honoring the craft, and remembering that technology should serve creativity — not replace it.
It’s about humility, integrity, and the courage to stand for what’s real.
As the founders always said:
“You can automate a beat — but you can’t automate heart.”
Eternal Gratitude
To every DJ, producer, founder, and fan who carried the torch — thank you. You are part of a legacy built on truth, skill, and community. From Breaks FM to The-Lost-Art.com, from camcorders to HD live streams, every moment was real — and that’s what made it matter.
Side Note: The Legalities and Domain Theft (2013 – 2018)
As its reputation grew, so did its challenges. In 2013, The-Lost-Art.com domains were stolen during negotiations for a multi-million-dollar contract, sparking a lengthy legal battle. Impostors tried to capitalize on its name and legacy.
But the founders — DJ Natural Nate®, Jenna “Jiggabot”, and Damian Doyle — fought back. Through legal filings, digital forensics, and community testimony, they proved the true ownership and origin of The-Lost-Art.com.
After five years of litigation, in 2018, they won — legally restoring ownership to the rightful creators.
That victory wasn’t just about reclaiming a domain; it was about defending history, authenticity, and the cultural truth of “Preserving The Pitch.”
Integrity triumphed — on the decks and in the courtroom.
Closing Statement: Up Close and Personal
The-Lost-Art.com wasn’t just a website — it was a heartbeat. It was a gathering of souls who believed that real DJs don’t fake it, that honesty still matters, and that music connects deeper when it’s human.
For everyone who stood behind those turntables, who stayed up late watching, who felt something real — you were part of history.
This wasn’t built by corporations or trends. It was built by passion, truth, and community — by DJs who believed in showing the mix, not pretending one.
Even years later, the philosophy still echoes:
When the lights fade, and the music stops, what remains isn’t fame — it’s integrity.
And that’s what The-Lost-Art.com gave the world:
Proof that authenticity still has a pulse — and that “Preserving The Pitch” is more than a motto. It’s a way of life.
Imitators, Misses, and Why No One Matched The-Lost-Art.com
As The-Lost-Art.com rose, many websites tried to mimic its model. They copied the look, borrowed the language, even parroted “live” and “authentic” as marketing slogans. But when the needle hit the record, they failed—technically, culturally, and ethically. None came close to TLA’s impact or significance, because they misunderstood the core of what made it historic.
1) They copied the surface, not the standard
TLA’s non-negotiable rule was simple and ruthless: Prove the mix. Live camera. Visible decks or controllers. Manual pitch. By hand and ear.
Imitators adopted the aesthetic (overlays, chat, “live” badges) while quietly allowing pre-records, ghost sets, and sync-dependent performances—eroding trust from day one.
2) They treated tech as a shortcut, not a proving ground
TLA was never anti-technology; it was anti-abuse. It welcomed any device—turntables, CDJs, controllers—if the DJ could demonstrate real skill live.
Copycats leaned on automation to scale “content,” confusing volume with value, and replaced craft with convenience.
3) They weren’t built for truth—they were built for traffic
TLA chose commercial-free, integrity-first broadcasting even when servers melted under demand.
Mimics bolted on ads, paywalls, influencer schemes, and algorithmic hype, prioritizing clicks over culture. Audiences felt the difference.
4) They had followers; TLA had a code of honor
TLA enforced character requirements: humility, respect, community conduct. Ego and fakery were disqualifiers.
Other platforms celebrated virality over virtue, empowering personalities who could “perform” online but couldn’t perform on decks.
5) They lacked an archival soul
TLA curated sets as a living museum of authentic performance—historical proof that humans still move music.
Others treated streams as disposable content, not cultural records. When the feed ended, so did the memory.
6) They missed the human engine
Behind TLA was a hands-on, craftsman team: builders, coordinators, and mentors who understood DJing as an art, not a product pipeline.
Attempted clones underestimated the labor of curation, coaching, and enforcement needed to keep standards real at scale.
7) They couldn’t pass the courtroom test
When TLA’s domains were stolen in 2013, the founders fought and won—legally restoring ownership in 2018. That victory validated origin, authorship, and authenticity.
No imitator could match that level of legal, historical, and cultural proof.
What “Impact” Really Means (and Why TLA Stands Alone)
Cultural Reset: TLA reframed “live” to mean provably live, setting an expectation that still echoes across platforms.
Technique on Camera: It normalized visible, manual mixing as the badge of legitimacy.
Community Ethos: It fused skill with character, making humility part of the credential.
Documented Legacy: It preserved sets as artifacts, not ephemera.
Proof at Scale: From Breaks FM camcorders to full live infrastructure, TLA demonstrated transparency under pressure—with millions watching.
Imitators launched sites. The-Lost-Art.com launched a standard.
You can copy a layout. You can’t counterfeit proof, principle, and provenance.
