DJ Ghost, born Josh Barrett, has mesmerized fans with the theatrical flair he brings to his impressive 14 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s become a beloved figure with the organization. Barrett, 44, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, has developed a reputation as the “16th man.” His unique contributions to the team make him a superstar. He doesn’t just play music—he energizes the players and electrifies the fans. Teams really start to work together because his presence sets a tone that’s contagious.
Barrett’s path to the music industry started as a teenager. He started performing at his family’s saloon, inspiring his love of music as an outlet. Early on, he developed a profound love for music after being surrounded by its influence. Since then he’s channeled that love into his work with the 76ers. As the collective team DJ, Williams likes to be first in the building for practice, usually just before 8 A.M. He brings a very important carefully curated playlist where people can hear cuts from folks like Drake. This is what really gets the players pumped up and mentally prepared for their training!
At the sound of coach Nick Nurse’s signal, DJ Ghost seamlessly transitions the music to Prince’s “Automatic,” creating an electric atmosphere that fuels the players’ energy. Nurse appreciates Ghost’s contributions, stating,
“A guy gets a good drive to the basket, it’s ‘choo choo’ for a train. He is locked in. I don’t know if any of this works, but it’s fun. And it provides energy. I think it’s good — just good vibes.”
This creative connection between Coach Nurse and DJ Ghost is a tangible example of how much music means to the team’s culture.
Ghost’s responsibilities don’t stop at practices, either. He creates music for team dinners and free throw warmups. His signature genre-blurring style incorporates everything from Afrobeats to hip-hop and rock. While this demonstrates his versatility, it speaks even more to his ability to connect with players on multiple levels. In practice, once a day for 8 minutes of the entire practice—typically on Thursday—we will play the cut. This slight but immeasurable gesture really brings a sense of fun to players’ everyday experience.
Over the course of his career, DJ Ghost has collaborated with iconic artists including Jay-Z and Burna Boy. These partnerships have increased his stock as an artist dramatically. His classical, hip-hop and rock music background uniquely equips him to produce engaging playlists that meet the eclectic needs of diverse players. Kelly Oubre Jr., a forward for the 76ers, expressed admiration for Ghost’s presence within the team:
“But we love it. Ghost is a part of our team. He’s part of everything we do.”
Rookie Adem Bona remarked on how Ghost’s presence feels integral to their training sessions:
“We always feel Ghost. He’s a presence.”
DJ Ghost’s passion for his craft shines through. When someone asked him about his commitment to the role, he gave this honest answer.
“When I was asked if I could do this, I was like ‘F
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