★ FEATURED EVENT Cinco De Mayo at Terrace Cantina Tuesday, May 5, 2026 · 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Reserve →
Est. 1997★50+ Nightclubs★3 Continents★Britney Spears★50 Cent★Run DMC★Wesley Snipes★Nick Cannon★Sean Kingston★ Est. 1997★50+ Nightclubs★3 Continents★Britney Spears★50 Cent★Run DMC★Wesley Snipes★Nick Cannon★Sean Kingston★ Est. 1997★50+ Nightclubs★3 Continents★Britney Spears★50 Cent★Run DMC★Wesley Snipes★Nick Cannon★Sean Kingston★ Est. 1997★50+ Nightclubs★3 Continents★Britney Spears★50 Cent★Run DMC★Wesley Snipes★Nick Cannon★Sean Kingston★
01 / 04
1997
Founded
02 / 04
50+
Nightclubs
03 / 04
1000+
DJ Gigs
04 / 04
3
Continents

Chicago's legendary
nightlife brand.

Mixmaster Throwdown started in 1997 as a college club tour across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Founded by Dan Morrell — then known as DJ Smurf — MMTD quickly became the most recognized nightlife brand in the Midwest.

By 2002, MMTD had grounded itself in Chicago, promoting at over 50 nightclubs and bringing countless celebrities to its events. The brand that started with a DJ and a dream became a Chicago institution — and it's still throwing the best parties in town.

★ Shared Stages With

The Lineup

Kanye West★Justin Timberlake★Rihanna★Britney Spears★50 Cent★ Kanye West★Justin Timberlake★Rihanna★Britney Spears★50 Cent★ Kanye West★Justin Timberlake★Rihanna★Britney Spears★50 Cent★ Kanye West★Justin Timberlake★Rihanna★Britney Spears★50 Cent★
Shakira★Run DMC★LL Cool J★Mary J. Blige★Christina Aguilera★ Shakira★Run DMC★LL Cool J★Mary J. Blige★Christina Aguilera★ Shakira★Run DMC★LL Cool J★Mary J. Blige★Christina Aguilera★ Shakira★Run DMC★LL Cool J★Mary J. Blige★Christina Aguilera★
Missy Elliott★T-Pain★Akon★Sean Paul★Ludacris★ Missy Elliott★T-Pain★Akon★Sean Paul★Ludacris★ Missy Elliott★T-Pain★Akon★Sean Paul★Ludacris★ Missy Elliott★T-Pain★Akon★Sean Paul★Ludacris★
★ The Founder

Dan
Morrell

formerly DJ Smurf
Dan Morrell, founder of Mixmaster Throwdown
FILE 01 > THE FOUNDER

Dan Morrell started his DJ career under the name DJ Smurf, becoming a pioneer of Euro and Progressive music in the Midwest. What started as a campus favorite turned into an internship at Chicago's #1 radio station, B96 (WBBM-FM).

From 2001 to 2011, Dan's mixes were heard across Chicago on the B96 Street Mix. He took first place at the Super DJ Spin-Off in Las Vegas in 2001 and produced over 30 underground mix CDs. In 2010 he was tapped to do groundbreaking rock mixes for JACK-FM Chicago.

01
B96 Street Mix DJ
Resident mixshow DJ on Chicago's #1 radio station, WBBM-FM, from 2001–2011.
02
Chicago Bears Exclusive DJ
Official DJ for Bears tailgate parties, draft-day events, Luvabulls and Hot Rox dance teams.
03
Super DJ Spin-Off Champion 2001
First place at the Super DJ Spin-Off competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
04
1000+ Gigs Worldwide
Over a thousand DJ performances across three continents — clubs, festivals, private events.
05
30+ Mix CDs Released
Underground mix compilations under the DJ Smurf alias — dance, Euro, progressive.
★ What We Do

Events &
Entertainment

From intimate venues to massive productions, MMTD brings the energy, the talent, and the crowd. Almost three decades of making unforgettable nights happen.

№ 01
Nightlife Events
Full-scale nightclub events and themed party nights. Venue partnerships, talent booking, crowd management, and the production that makes every night legendary.
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№ 02
Private Events
Corporate events, private parties, weddings, and milestone celebrations. Professional DJ entertainment backed by decades of reading any room.
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№ 03
Celebrity Hosting
Celebrity meet-and-greets, hosted appearances, and VIP nightlife experiences. The relationships and reputation to deliver A-list talent.
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№ 04
Festival & Concert DJing
Live DJ performances at festivals, concerts, and large-scale events. Dan Morrell has performed at over 1,000 gigs across three continents.
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№ 05
Radio & Mixshows
Professional radio mixshow DJing and mix production. A decade on B96, plus rock mixes for JACK-FM and countless online mixes and podcasts.
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№ 06
Brand Partnerships
Nightlife brand consulting, venue partnerships, and entertainment marketing. Leveraging the MMTD name and network to amplify your brand.
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Mixmaster Throwdown is a Chicago DJ, nightlife and event production brand founded in 1997 by Dan Morrell. MMTD books DJs, celebrity hosts, private parties, corporate events and festival performances across Chicago and beyond.
MMTD was founded by Dan Morrell, a Chicago DJ and producer. Dan was a resident mixshow DJ on B96 (WBBM-FM) from 2001 to 2011 and the official DJ for the Chicago Bears tailgate parties.
Mixmaster Throwdown is based in Chicago, Illinois. The brand has promoted at more than 50 nightclubs in the Chicago area and produced over 1,000 DJ performances across three continents.
MMTD provides DJs and event production for nightlife events, private parties, corporate events, weddings, festival performances, brand activations and celebrity-hosted appearances.
Book MMTD by submitting the inquiry form below or calling 1-800-MIXMASTER. MMTD typically replies within 24 hours.
Yes. MMTD events have shared stages with artists including Britney Spears, 50 Cent, Akon, Run DMC, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and many others over nearly three decades.
★ Get In Touch

Book MMTD.

Tell us about your event. We'll respond within 24 hours.

1-800-MIXMASTER →
"Rockstars Party
Like Us." ™