Uplifting. And upholding. That’s how DJ Lil’ Dave sees his mission, first at JG SkyHigh, and overall in his approach to music. At JG SkyHigh, it’s about style and sophistication, taking the room on an “exotic adventure,” lifting the crowd by starting mellow and incrementally building the energy with increasingly intricate grooves. As an artist, however, it’s about paying reverence to the proud Philly traditions of deep soul, from the likes of the O’Jays and Teddy Pendergrass, but giving it new life with influences from legendary DJs like Larry Levan or David Mancuso, a practice DJ Lil’ Dave pioneered as a student at Drexel and carried forward playing clubs and parties as a member of the ILLVIBE COLLECTIVE.