About the artist:

Nicholas Taylor (aka Nick Taylor aka DJ High Priest) was born December 8, 1953 in Belleville, Illinois USA. Taylor moved to New York in 1977. 1n January 1979 he photographs an early series of headshots with his friend Jean-Michel Basquiat. In1979 Nick joined Basquiat’s band “Gray” (guitar). Gray was a very unique sound oriented band associated with the “No Wave” scene in New York City at that time. Gray opened for bands like The Lounge Lizards and DNA in New York City clubs such as CBGB’s, Tier 3. Hurrahs and the Mudd Club., Squat Theater. Nick had the good fortune of being a close confidant to Mr. Basquiat, and from 1981-’84, Nick watched Jean-Michel paint and draw hundreds of works in Basquait’s Crosby Street loft. In 1982 Basquiat named him “DJ High Priest” for a collaboration they did at the Squat Theater in New York City. Also in ’82, with ‘tape loop-dj’ing’, he opened in Michael Holman’s weekly Hip Hop event with Africa Bambatta, Cool Herc and Jazzy J at Club Negril in the East Village. High Priest was the dj for the New York City Breakers opening for acts Soul Sonic Force and Grand Master Flash. At The Kitchen in Soho 1983, Fab Five Freddy selected him for his dj-ing skills in the band ‘Estate Fresh’ which included Max Roach on drums. Nick co-produced “Sounds of…” Gray’s first lp released in 2010 with Michael Holman on their label “Plush Safe Records”