Reflections Of A Dj

Episode 96: DJ ZO On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with one of LA’s finest DJ ZO (@Zomanno) with special Co-Host @DJEdMcDonald from @MacAgencyLV. Zo speaks about linking up with @Dumbfounded and his early interests in the battle rap scene like #GrindTimeNow, @KOTDTV, and @URLTV (1:35). @DJCrooked recalls an incident with @IAmMCJin in front @FatBeats in NY (13:45). Zo speaks on tour life with @DumbFoundead and @Anderson._Paak (22:36) as well as meeting @ChefRoyChoi (31:40). He explains the birth of nightlife in K-Town during the early 2010’s with venues like @TheLineHotel and @LockAndKeyLA (34:35). Zo talks about dj’ing Solange’s (@SaintRecords) birthday and gives his take on @Beyonce’s “Before I Let Go” cover (45:20). The fellas rank the top “cook-out anthems”(47:40) and talk about @Awkwafina’s “Hollywood Glo-Up” and her youtube hit “My Vag” (1:17:04). The fellas speak on Korean music in the US market, non-Asian K-Pop fans (1:32:50), nightmare stories while traveling internation

On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with LA’s own @DJNitrane, official tour dj for @Bas and @TheFiends (with special guest host @DJMoma from @EverydayPPL). Nitrane & Moma speak about the recording sessions with @RealColeWorld for @Dreamville’s “Revenge Of The Dreamers 3” in Atlanta (2:00) and Nitrane breaks down his time working with @HitBoy and @AudioPush (13:30). He talks about spinning strategically for “instagram moments” (26:38), transplants invading LA and NY (31:48) and his involvement with the @LALeakers and @DrDre’s show on @Beats1Official (39:02). Nitrane shares how he became Bas’s official tour DJ (57:45) and how he started spinning celebrity parties for the likes of @IAmJamieFoxx @KourtneyKardash @KylieJenner and @BarackObama (1:27:02). The fellas close the episode speaking about Nitrane’s upcoming album that he’s currently working on (2:01:15).

Episode 94: SERATO On this week’s nerdiest episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with @Serato’s Artist Relations team @Kutcorners and @MrSonnyJames and offer a few solutions to some technical issues that DJ’s frequently encounter with their groundbreaking software (4:27). Kutcorners addresses a rumor that DJ Konflikt (@MyFavoriteDJ) shared on a previous episode regarding #SeratoDJ launching primarily for the “sync” feature (15:20). The fellas discuss Serato’s reasons for discontinuing software updates on #ScratchLive (17:50), the infamous “Wifi Latency Bug” in #SeratoDJPro (23:45) and future software developments like new music streaming options provided by @Beatsource, a new DJ music service merger founded by @Beatport and @DJcity (34:27). Kutcorners remembers @Ztrip initiating the “Practice Mode” feature at @DJJazzyJeff’s @PlaylistRetreat (42:22) and Sonny speaks about his Philly roots (pun intended), coming up with Philadelphia’s own @Diplo and @LowBudget (aka #Hollertronix) and spinning for “Tr

Episode 93: DJ BUTCH On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew link up with one of LA’s best club rockers @DJ_Butch. Butch breaks down the importance of @YoungCalifornia pushing the Cali sound during the EDM era (4:22) and and explains how instrumental it was for artists like @TyDollaSign @YG @OTGenasis @JoeMosesAOB to show face in the clubs and push their unreleased music (10:05). The fellas discuss gang life in Long Beach (15:10), Butch’s transition from Battle DJ to Club DJ (24:40) and the classification of “Ratchet” as an actual music genre (45:45). Butch speaks about the @MadeNightlife pool parties at @DayLightVegas that would shuttle people from LA to LV and back (1:05:45), the emergence of the 90’s and 2000’s R&B parties popping up everywhere in LA (1:12:55) and the extravagant bottle presentations at @PHDayClubLA on Sundays (1:15:43).

Episode 92: SUJIT KUNDU (SKAM ARTIST) On this weeks episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew link up with Sujit Kundu, owner of @SkamArtist and former Senior VP for @UniversalMusicGroup and @EpicRecords. Sujit breaks down his work with @HitcoMusic (founded by @LA_Reid) and his instrumental role in Record Promotions for artists like @DJKhaled @FrenchMontana @Tyga (4:02). He explains the difference between a booking agent and a manager (17:44) and talks about his transition as a teenager promoting Rave parties to attending @UCSantaBarbara and booking Hip-Hop acts like #MobbDeep, @KeithMurrayRap @RedManGilla (31:00). Sujit remembers the release of his 1st record “Where I Wanna Be” by @ShadeSheist feat #NateDogg (35:50), creating the name for his DJ agency and the marketing plan behind the “I Am A Skam Artist” promotional campaign (42:15). He touches on tour managing for @AfroJack and @Pitbull (57:50), shares his thoughts on “Influencer DJs” (1:03:42), breaks down how DJing is a lifestyle and not a job (1:31:47) an

Episode 91: DJ AYRES + DJ ELEVEN aka THE RUB On this weeks episode, @RoadPodcast link up with Brooklyn's finest @DJEleven and @DJAyres aka @ItsTheRub (with special guest hosts @DJMoma from @EverydayPPL and @DJGoldFingerNYC). @DJCrooked reminisces on Ayres and Eleven's iconic party “The Rub” in NYC and their legendary 2004 mash-up mixtape “It’s The Motherfucking Remix Vol.1” (03:21). Ayres explains the origin for the word "Mash-Up" (10:00) and the fellas discuss how different regions of the country develop their own styles of DJing and rapping (15:12). Eleven expands on his stellar and extensive mixtape catalogue as Goldfinger shares his experience selling millions of bootleg vinyl/mixtapes at Beatstreet Records in Brooklyn (36:56). The crew address the changes to New York nightlife in the early 2000's before and after 9/11 (51:29) and how reggae fits into a current DJ set in Brooklyn nowadays (01:35:21). Finally the fellas speak on the importance of DJ’s working together to help support and break new records

Episode 90: Starboyz On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas discuss the outrage from the Naija Community and Afrobeats Music World when a video clip from a previous episode featuring @CiphaSounds went viral overseas regarding @WizKidAyo (0:53). Crooked calls @DJMoma (founder of @EverydayPPL) to get his take on who “the face of Afrobeats is in mainstream America” (4:40). The fellas speak on the @DayNVegas2019 festival (20:31), the 2019 @NBA Free Agency 2019 and why the @WNBA isn’t as popular as the NBA (28:07)? The crew break down all the new Hip-Hop being played in Vegas clubs right now (36:30) and recap their first event in Las Vegas with @DJCITY and #DonJulio at @BestFriendVegas and @OnTheRecordLV (55:09). They give a brief review on all the new albums that dropped this past weekend from @ChrisBrownOfficial, @Mustard, @DanielCaesar, @JBalvin and @BadBunnyPR (1:01:52) and question if any songs from @DJKhaled’s new album is getting played in the clubs right now. Finally, the fellas discuss th

Episode 89: DJ YODA On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas sit down with UK’s very own @DJYodaUK. Yoda speaks about spinning 90’s Hip-Hop parties while attending the @UniversityOfWarwick (6:27), his early days working at @FatLaceMagazine and his “How To Cut & Paste” Mixtape Series (19:00). He recalls making a lot of American Music Industry contacts from his club residency at “Spread Love” (24:44) and expresses how huge the 90’s reggae/dancehall music is in the UK to this day (30:00). Yoda explains why he refuses to play Drake (@champagnepapi) or Rihanna (@badgalriri) during his sets (41:15), how he acquired opportunities to DJ @StarWars movie premieres because of his DJ name and how he knew @Banksy before the fame and actually got paid with an original piece (44:40). He speaks about using the @Phase_DJ (58:50) and helping design for @pioneerdjglobal but preferring turntables over their CDJ’s (1:08:02). Yoda shares his love for collecting breakfast cereal boxes and trading with Hip-Hop legend

Episode 88: CIPHA SOUNDS + ROCTAKON + STEVE1DER On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas sit down with an eclectic and immensely talented group of DJ’s @CiphaSounds @Roctakon @DJSteve1der! Cipha explains a comedy bit he performs with @SNL’s @CheThinks involving White people singing the “N” word (4:11) and introduces a new method of speech called “Loose Talk” (6:44). They explore @DJJEspinosa’s tweet regarding the Eastcoast/Westcoast definition of the word “cock” (34:48) and speak about The Bay’s reaction to @LilJon’s new single with Mac Dre “Ain’t No Tellin” (45:27). Cipha blames Drake (@ChampagnePapi) @DirectorX and Vince Carter (@Vinsanity25) for “ruining” Toronto’s biggest secret (55:06) and sheds some light regarding the feud between Tyler The Creator (@FeliciaTheGoat) and @DJKhaled (1:07:20). @DJNeva brings up @Hot97’s lukewarm line-up at this year’s #HOT97SummerJam and asks Cipha if he remembers the @RealGhostFaceKillah saying “Fuck Hot97” in 1997 (1:31:50). The fellas question the origin

Episode 87: DJ MELO D On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with LA’s legendary @DJMeloD of the @TheBeatJunkies. Melo-D speaks about @Jrocc210 initiating the inception of the Beat Junkies (7:03) and collectively launching multiple business entities like their successful DJ School “Institute Of Sound” @BeatJunkiesIOS and Online DJ School @BeatJunkies.TV (18:34). He reminisces on spinning at 92.3 “The Beat” (48:15), auditioning for @QuincyDJones to be the official DJ for the @VIBEMagazine TV show on UPN (54:17) and explaining how the Eastcoats vs. Westcoast beef between Biggie and 2Pac effected LA (1:01:13). Melo-D breaks down the hip-hop club scene in the 90’s with fellow Beat Junkie @DJIcyIce’s infamous party at Club Unity (1:17:07) and how their 20 year anniversary showcase in 2012 helped them re-appreciate the legacy they created and expand the Beat Junkie brand (1:32:00). Melo explains how he teaches the up and coming DJ's and what troubles he runs into (1:52:49).

In our more recent Episode #86 with special guest @BoogieBlind from @TheXecutioners, @DJCrooked played a few audio snippets from a demo tape he made in 1999-2001 with Blind and a collective group of unknown rappers from East/West Harlem called LTG (Lyrics To Go). With very little resources and equipment, Crooked made beats and manually looped them on a Gemini 24 Second Sampler and recorded the songs on a Tascam 8 Track Cassette Recorder. Boogie Blind, having never owned turntables of his own, would be at Crooked's apartment frequently practicing on his Technic 1200's and collaborating on almost every song being made. At the request of our curious listeners, who were impressed by Boogie Blind's innovative and progressive scratches and shocked by Crooked's rapping/producing, we decided to post some of the songs from their demo tape (also knowing how much this embarrasses Crooked was an added bonus lol). Please disregard the some of the sound quality as all of the music was recorded on cassette tapes over 20 yea

Episode 86: BOOGIE BLIND On this week’s episode of @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with Harlem’s Finest @BoogieBlind of @TheXecutioners and @TheHeavyHitters. The fellas talk about Blind djing for @DJCrooked back when he was rapping/producing and performing at colleges in the early 2000’s in NYC (6:11). Blind breaks down Eastcoast vs Westcoast scratching and shares his experience winning the @Vestax.Professional World Championship in 2001 (29:09) and going on @Eminem’s “Anger Management Tour” with the Xecutioners (45:00). Blind explains the history of the “Pause” and “AYO” game (50:01) and talks about dj’ing in different boroughs in New York (59:30). Crooked tells a story of him and Blind having beef over speakers (1:25:30) and Blind shares some memories and speaks on his close relationship with the late and legendary turntabllist #RocRaida (1:58:01).

Episode 85: The Great Yellow Hope On this weeks episode the fellas recap their Memorial Day Weekend in Vegas and share the inside scoop regarding the recent @MeekMill and @Cosmopolitan_LV incident (4:52). They speak on @NipseyHussle’s @TheMarathonClothing grossing $10 million (32:00), review @YG’s “Go Loko” single (40:21) and analyze the first week album sales of @FeliciaTheGoat and @DJKhaled (49:21). @DJCrooked speaks on the @NBA finals and attributes the @Raptors winning streak to @JLin7 (1:06:32). The crew discuss the new 2018 International Music Summit Report which states a 60% decline in Night/Day Club attendance, a 12% decrease in DJ rates but the rise in demand for Women DJ’s and increasing marketing value (1:17:23). Finally the fellas review the new @WuTangClan documentary, rate their top 3 Wu-Tang solo albums (1:45:32).

Episode 84: ELI ESCOBAR + DJ GOLDFINGER On this weeks episode, the crew are honored to have 2 New York trailblazers, the multi-talented and gifted DJ/Producer @EliEscobarNYC and the legendary @DJGoldFingerNYC (along with ROAD’s favorite @DJMoma from @EverydayPPL assisting as co-host). Eli Escobar reminisces about growing up in the same building as @DJCrooked and @KoolBobLove near the G.O.A.T. Park in Manhattan (01:50), hiring Bobbito to host his college parties, working at Bob’s Record Store (13:25) and later DJ’ing for the @StretchAndBobbito show on @Hot97 (42:20). Goldfinger speaks about working at the iconic Beatstreet Records and growing up in Brooklyn in the same building as @OfficialEcstacy of Whodini (15:20). The fellas talk about NYC Nightlife in the 90’s/2000’s and share how Goldfinger’s club sets and music selection shaped and molded a new generation of DJ’s in New York (50:10). @DJNeva asks Goldfinger about @FunkFlex calling Goldfinger his biggest competition in the clubs (1:14:15). The fellas spe

“Sway In The Morning” on Shade 45 While recording interviews for the podcast in NYC, the crew made an appearance on #SwayInTheMorning on @Shade45 (Sirius XM Radio) with @RealSway and @DJWonder. The fellas kicked it on air with Sway and @DJDMiles spun a guest set for their Mix Show portion. Many thanks to DJ Wonder and Sway for the invite!

Episode 83: DJ BIG BEN On this week’s episode, the crew flew out to NYC to sit down with Brooklyn’s finest @DJBigBen. The fellas discuss Ben’s quick mixing style, resetting the energy in a room (3:15), going on tour with @AngieMartinez tour DJ and owning a bodega (18:05). He speaks about getting management from @JRosenblum1 (41:20), DJing at @Hot97 for over 10 years and working with the legendary @DJMisterCee (48:50). Ben explains how he broke the @RonBrowz record “Pop Champagne” (01:08:20), @NipseyHussle’s impact on the Eastcoast and @6ix9ine bringing a new energy to New York (01:15:25). Finally Ben recalls an uncomfortable situation where he was asked to play @RKelly at a wedding (01:22:50) and elaborates on his early beginnings as a DJ (01:46:00).

Episode 82: DJ J. ESPINOSA On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with the new 2019 @Redbull3StyleMusic World Champion and Bay Area’s finest @DJJEspinosa and reminisce about his first meeting with @DJCrooked which resulted in a heated argument about Eastcoast vs Westcoast DJing (10:10). Being the official DJ for the @Raiders, Espinosa speaks about the new move from Oakland to Vegas (04:42). He speaks about growing up in the Bay listening to @FrandalayBay (20:24), his journey competing in the Redbull 3Style and battling longtime friend @DJChrisVilla during the US Finals in Philly (29:30). Crooked asks Espinosa about his experiences DJ’ing along side DJ legends @DJJazzyJef and @DJQbert (1:00:43), the possibilities of creating a new movement in SF with fellow Bay Area native and 2017 @GoldieAwards DJ Battle Champion @MilesMedina (1:56:30) and his DJ set at the @BoilerRoomTV (2:06:00).

Episode 81: Roses On this week’s episode, the crew pay their respects to one of Hip-Hop’s greatest storytellers, Director @JohnSingleton (00:23). The fellas discuss bandwagon @GameOfThrones fans (08:54), the recent incident between rapper @Russ and @KaosVegas this past weekend (18:50), Jay-Z’s “B Sides 2” show at @WebsterHall with surprise guest @Mr_Camron and the current sneaker market with @Puma outperforming @Nike and @Adidas (00:38:21). The crew also speak on rumors about @MarshmelloMusic clones (53:04), mixed reviews of the new @Phase_DJ (01:01:38) and the @Coachella herpes outbreak (01:13:12).

Episode 80: JEROME BAKER III On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with DC’s finest @JeromeBaker3rd and speak about his monthly day party @RockCreekSocial and also explains the high rate of gentrification happening in DC (00:16:04). He speaks on his early upbringing in Arizona and how it influenced his musical taste (00:27:24). Jerome shares his 10+ years experience working with the DC staple @Commonwealth_ftgg (00:49:32), his new podcast @WhatsAPodcastIG with (01:38:44) and his involvement with the local festival @BroccoliCity (02:00:05). The fellas also speak about the new @Phase_DJ (1:27:59).

Episode 79: Hits & Hips feat. FourColorZack + DJ Scooter On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with @FourColorZack (@RedbullMusicThreeStyle Judge and 1/2 of @WeAre2Cents) and SD’s finest @ScooterDJ (@GrooveCruise DJ and resident at @JewelNightclub). Zack and Scooter discuss the “Auto Sync” feature in @Serato (08:44) and the struggles of juggling family, gigs and traveling (30:06). With the recent rise of the new song “Old town Road”, the fellas speak about @LilNasX’s track possibly being the “Song Of The Summer” (01:04:17). Zack speaks about the new wave of instagram DJs (01:30:04) and how he approaches a festival set with his 2¢ partner in crime @crazearoni (02:00:45). Scooter and Zack express their views on ghost producing and what’s the formula for success within the “Open Format” market (02:07:16).