DJ SOUL
featured DJ on www.myspace.com/hiphop
1. How long have you been djing and what inspired you to start?
15 Years... I go my first set up in June of 92... Since a young age I was always intrigued by turntables and the art of spinning. I remember listening to Herbie Hancock's "Rock It" in the early 80's and trying to figure out what the scratching noise was. Once i saw what it was, i wanted to do it.
2. What do you think makes a good DJ?
Being able to mix. That's the first thing everybody should learn. If u can't do that then u shouldn't be doing this. U should also have an idea of what sounds good mixed together. The mash-up fad has killed me cause there are so many people doin mixes that aren't in key with each other and it sounds horrible. Another thing is being able to read a room and playing the right music for that crowd. If you can't rock the room then u shouldn't be in there unless it's a publicity stunt.
3. With the qualities stated in Question 2, who do you think is a good DJ?
Good question. It depends on the crowd. AM is always fun to listen to. So is DJ Camilo. He really hypes up a crowd. So does Kid Capri... I enjoy DJ Scratch and Jazzy Jeff when they're doin the turntablist thing. A-trak is dope also. I enjoy his beat juggling sets. Z-Trip is fun as well and so is Questlove cause u don't know what they'll play next.
4. What's the most memorable experience in your DJ career?
There's so many... I've had alot of fun nights at Bungalow 8 when I was a resident there. One week I would be in there playing R&B classics and Pat Riley ended up hanging out in the booth asking me to play Marvin Gaye and MJ. The next week Quentin Tarantino and The RZA would be up in there and I'd only spin breaks and 80's hip-hop and and the place would be nuts. Another night turned out to be the after party for the CFDA Fashion Awards. Diddy was there and caught me playing a classic's set, His people approached me about doin a mixtape for him. About a month later i sent him the mix and a few days later, I was in the studio with him helping him work on a few different projects.
5. What advice do you give to new djs that are pursuing a successful careerlike yours that you wish you had received when starting out?
U have to be focused, positive and patient. Don't let negativity get the best of you. Everything happens for a reason.
6. What are you currently working on?
Well, i just finished up this J Dilla tribute mixtape. The titled is "Assorted Donuts" and I did it in association with Okayplayer. It's gonna be available as a free download on Tuesday, March 20th.
7.When can they see you live? What clubs coming up?
The calendar on my myspace page lists everywhere I'm spinnin so if someone is interested they can go there to find out. It's updated on a daily basis. This week I'll be in Miami spinning a few parties for Winter Music Conference. Wednesday I'll be at Sky Bar for the Frank 151 party and Thursday I'm doin "1992" (a party that I do in New York as a monthly party with my partners Vashtie and Oscar).
8. Tell us about your local music scene. Who are the top local artists?
Again, it depends on the market. One of the things about me is that I'm very versatile..I can go into Marquee in New York on a Saturday nite and play top 40 all night where Outfield and Bon Jovi are the biggest records of the nite and then the next day I can go to Atlanta and play crunk all night where Rich Boy and Young Jeezy are the biggest records of the nite.
9. What is a song that you hate to love ? (guilty pleasure)
That Pretty Ricky single. I hated that song the first 20 times I heard it and then I saw these guys perform it at Prive in Miami. All the ladies went nuts. After that, whenever I turned on the radio that song would be playing...
10. As a street marketing professional on the promotion side of the music industry, what suggestions do you have for independent or new artists in creating a buzz for themselves? And how can they get to you?
To me, it's all about quality music. I has to come from the heart. If your production is good and you sound good on the record, then u might be on to something. Get as much feedback as possible. Find out ways to improve yourself. People can contact me here.
11. What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Be able to deal with the politics...
12. Who were your influences growing up?
Red Alert and Marley Marl. Those 2 along with Kid Capri, Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Ron G really inspired me to do this. Whether it was rocking a crowd, scratching, doin an ill mix or producing a track, those guys are responsible. Also Ralph McDaniels from Video Music Box. That show was such a huge inspiration.
13. Who would you like to share the stage with? Who have you shared the stage with?
Hmmm... I wouldn't mind sharing the stage with Hova. I shared the stage with Dave Chapelle when I was the DJ for the first season of The Chapelle Show. I've also shared the stage with Ghostface, Beanie Sigel, The Beatnuts, Freeway, RZA & Dead Prez.
14. Websites?
www.djsoul.net
15. What else do you do besides DJ? And what are your typical working hours?
Production... My hours vary depending on my schedule...
16. What has your experience on MySpace been like so far? How did you first hear of it?
The experience has been dope. I can't remember how I first heard about myspace. I was a member when it first started in 2003 but I cancelled my account a year later. When I found out about the music account I got back on cause it's a great way to promote yourself and share your music.