Reflections Of A Dj

Episode 78: Dedication feat. LA Leakers On this week's episode, the crew discuss the opening of megaclub @KaosVegas in the newly renovated @Palms and the effect it will have on Nightlife in Las Vegas (00:01:45). The fellas speak about @NipseyHussle's upcoming funeral (00:29:10) and call @Justin_Credible @DJSourmilk (from the @LAleakers and @Power_106) to share some of their memories with Nipsey and explain their recent ban of @KodakBlack's music on the radio (00:47:48). They later discuss why @iamCardiB is expected to be a "Role Model" (02:05:08) and @DJCrooked rants about why everyone worships celebrities and people with money despite their questionable actions and lack of morals/ethics (02:09:14)

Episode 77: The Las Vegas Latin Movement feat. DJ Exile + Jason Aguilar On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with LV’s own DJ Exile and promoter Jason Aguilar who are responsible for bringing an emerging Latin Nightlife aka “La Cultura” to the Vegas Strip. Jason speaks on their humble and turbulent beginnings in the Vegas House Party scene (13:00) and Exile breaks down the history of Reggaeton (36:00). They discuss the absence of Reggaeton in the mainstream market during the big EDM boom and acknowledge @JBalvin and @LuisFonsi for bringing it back with hit records like “Ay Vamos” and “Despacito” (1:09:12). Jason and Exile speak about starting their widely successful Thursday night party “Noches Azul” at @BlueMartiniVegas and infiltrating the Las Vegas strip, bringing Latin artists like @BadBunnyPR @Anuel_2Blea to venues like @DraisLV, @OmniaNightclub, @TheLightVegas and the new @KaosVegas (1:30:50). Finally the crew pay their respects to @NipseyHussle and discuss his contributions to Los Angeles and hi

Episode 76: CRAZE On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with turntablist legend and trailblazer @Crazearoni ! He takes us back to his humble beginnings, listening to @DJQbert and dealing with anxiety attacks after winning his 3rd straight World Champion title for the @DMC_World (00:09:52). Craze addresses his altercation on Twitter with @Roctakon in defense of close friend @Atrak (00:24:37) and discusses the unspoken beef of “Turntablist vs. Club DJ” (00:28:42). He shares his admiration for @FourColorZack and why he approached him to start @WeAre2Cents (00:47:52). Craze speaks about his experience DJing for @KanyeWest’s “Glow In The Dark Tour” (01:18:40) and the fellas discuss Craze’s despise for President Trump and the negative influence he had on music and social media (1:29:05). Finally Craze expands on the “Good DJing Is Important” message and how “branding” should never take priority over being a good dj (1:51:10).

EPISODE 75: DJ TINA T On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with the multi-talented @djtinat who speaks about her extracurricular projects in real estate and foster parenting, offering temporary housing and care for kids in need (01:19). Tina talks about moving to LA, working for BPM Magazine and spinning with DJ AM and @SteveAoki at their legendary “Banana Split Sundays” at LAX (25:30). Tina and the crew run through a bunch of random topics like DJing during Spring Break in South Padre Island (47:00), disgruntled male DJs trying to hook-up with Tina (57:00), the change in the Las Vegas market for DJs (1:01:08) and Tina’s experience in the @RemoteYear program (1:33:30). The crew ask about being on the “Master Of The Mix” show on VH-1 (1:37:42) and why she started @CampSpinOff, a nonprofit Summer Camp for teenagers held every year for one week (1:53:00).

Episode 74: A-TRAK + ROCTAKON: The Disconnect On this week’s episode, the fellas recruit the help of Hip-Hop Guru @SheckyGreenLV (founder of the Source Magazine, Former Talent Director for XS Nightclub) to discuss the recent uproar on twitter between @Atrak @Roctakon addressing the struggles of working class DJs in open format. The crew makes a call to @Atrak (14:35) to further expand on his tweets and touched on the changes in nightlife/music after @DJAM passed (23:46), the vast difference in pay between certain headliners and openers (39:06) and the Agents/Managers ultimately having a hand as the “nexus of power” between the clubs and the DJ’s (53:27). They later make a call to @Roctakon (1:06:41) to explain his dilemma with Atrak’s tweets and why he questions the Canadian DJ’s intentions (1:14:50). Roctakon also speaks on @Crazearoni coming to Atrak’s defense which ultimately escalated the exchange on twitter (1:37:16). The crew wrap-up both calls (1:58:44) and discuss the recent Michael Jackson documentar

Episode 73: DJ BELLA FIASCO Cali’s own Bella Fiasco joins the fellas this week and takes us back to her childhood in Long Beach where her father, a well-known musician back in the Philippines, helped shape her musical knowledge for classics and planted the seed to become a DJ as she helped him spin local weddings. She speaks about the camaraderie amongst women DJs and the differences between playing nightclubs in LA vs Vegas. Bella also recaps a pivotal moment in her career when she opened for the legendary U2 at #Dreamfest in 2016.

Episode 72: DJ CHRIS VILLA On this week's episode, the fellas sit down with the wildly talented DJ Chris Villa from Phoenix, AZ. Chris speaks about his experience participating in the US Finals of the Redbull 3Style and the #PayTheDJ campaign started by DJ Konflikt (@MyFavoriteDJ). He speaks about being discovered at age 13 by Power 92.3 and earning his own slot on the radio. Known for his amazingly creative and flawless DJ routines on Instagram, Chris breakdowns how he conceptualizes his routines and also shares his frustration with other DJ's stealing and mimicking his ideas.

Episode 71: Ghostin On this week’s episode, the fellas discuss Meek Mill and J. Cole’s performance at NBA All-Star Weekend. They recap The 2019 Grammy Awards and question Childish Gambino earning “Record of the Year”. Crooked breaks down the term “Ghosting”. The fellas reflect on the life and Legacy of Chanel fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld. They speak on the Gucci Boycott and Dapper Dan’s strive to make sustainable change, the joint venture between Beatport & DJ City, aka BeatSource, and more.....

Episode 70: PHNM Repping Chi-Town, DJ PHNM joins the fellas this week and touches on some of changes occurring in his hometown especially with local heroes Chance The Rapper and Kanye West. With the club scene steadily evolving in The Windy City, PHNM explains how the closing of staple nightclubs like Studio Paris and the MID due to the arrival and instant success of Tao Chicago. He explains his move to Portland and how his approach to DJing a night sometimes involves “Flipping the Room”, a foreign term for most DJs. PHNM also shares his experience of DJing for Gucci Mane at Lollapalooza in 2015 and Scotland where there’s a surprisingly huge Rap/Dancehall.

Episode 69: WARREN PEACE & PIZZO The fellas sit down with Las Vegas pioneers, DJ’s Warren Peace & Pizzo, as they discuss some of their trailblazing contributions to the Hip-Hop and DJ Community in Sin City. Their widely respected “Word Up” college radio show on KUNV was the first of its kind in the 90’s and was comparable to NYC’s own Stretch & Bobbito Show. Warren talks about the Vegas Hip-Hop scene in the 90’s with the opening of Suge Knight’s Club 662 and DJing the night 2Pac was shot. Pizzo discusses how he linked up with Eminem and carried early pressings of his demo at their infamous record store and online shop/blog “Hip-Hop Site”. Warren talks about being the first DJ to play Hip-Hop on the Vegas strip at the legendary “RA Nightclub”, and how he would play an instrumental role in shaping the EDM format for the mega club XS in the Wynn. They both speak about their YouTube series “Let The Record Show” with featured guests like Just Blaze, Bob James, A-trak and more...

Episode 68: Classics vs Classics This week the fellas discuss the Redbull 3Style competition and congratulate this year’s 2019 world champion J. Espinosa.  They recap their most recent trip to the NAMM Show where they attended a DJ showcase featuring Z-Trip, Miles Medina and Justin Credible. They examine the numbers in Drake’s multi-million dollar Vegas residency at XS as well as Cardi B’s residency at the new KAOS Day/Nightclub opening in April 2019. Questions arise regarding Kanye’s new alliance with Dame Dash and his lawsuit with Roc-A-Fella Records. Finally, the fellas chime in on Chance The Rapper’s new Dorito Commercial with the Backstreet Boys.

Episode 67: SKRATCH BASTID Canada’s very own dj/producer/turntablist, Skratch Bastid joins the crew this week and takes us back to his hometown of Bedford, Nova Scotia, his intro into the hip-hop scene and how he earned the name “Skratch Bastid”. He talks about his early beginnings competing in local DJ battles which led to his infamous “Star Wars” DJ routine at Scribble Jam. Bastid explains the motivation behind his move to Montreal, and later Toronto where the legendary “Bastid BBQ” was birthed and continues to grow. With the Redbull 3Style World Finals commencing this week, Bastid shares his judging process for the competition and also touches on the new Technics 1200 MK-7 turntables which he helped launch at the CES trade show in Las Vegas...

Episode 66: DJ EXCEL & DJ IMPULSE Philadelphia native DJ Excel and Baltimore native DJ Impulse join the fellas this week to discuss the CES 2019 Trade Show in Las Vegas and the difference between spinning clubs vs corporate gigs. Excel shares a recent experience playing R.Kelly in the club and everyone chimes in on a discussion regarding compromising their personal politics for a pay check. Impulse speaks about Baltimore Club and DC Go-Go. With the word “Culture Vulture” being thrown around in the media recently, everyone tries to define what a “Culture Vulture” actually is.

Episode 65: JHO to the MF’ing LOW! On the first R.O.A.D. podcast of 2019, Crooked, Neva, Jaime and D-Miles all give their recap of DJing on New Years Eve. The fellas discuss the R. Kelly “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary and how this changes ever wanting to play his music in the club. They discuss the strength of the 2019 Coachella line-up. Crooked and D-Miles recap their real life experiences with supposed Malaysian weapons dealer Jho Low and how he blew millions in Vegas nightclubs.

Episode 64: JUSTIN CREDIBLE On the final week of 2018 LA’s very own Justin Credible joins the crew on the R.O.A.D. podcast. Justin starts off talking about his upbringing and background, how he grew up in LA and would take summer trips to New York to see his extended family. Justin talks about getting involved with radio straight out of high school, taking jobs in smaller markets and learning the ropes of the industry in the process. Justin mentions how he initially wanted to be a producer, and how he has a big background in imaging and production. The fellas and Justin talk about DJing, and how clubs were reluctant to hire radio mixers. Justin gives his opinion on the difference in style between East Coast and West Coast DJs. Justin also goes in detail about a transition period that took place in LA radio. Justin elaborates on how big LMFAO was to the music scene in the mid 2000s. Justin credits the importance of @DJMustard , and the movement his sound created in radio and club scenes. The fellas discuss t

Episode 63: MAD SKILLZ The legendary rapper @SkillzVA , who formerly went by the name "Mad Skillz" joins the crew on the R.O.A.D. podcast this week. Skillz starts by talking about his recent move to LA, as well as his epic battle with Supernatural in 1993 that helped put him on the map. Skillz goes on to discuss the art of freestyle rap, and how it's losing it's cool factor. Skillz recalls the story of the 2010 BET cypher in which he was not chosen for, and in turn made his own. Skillz sheds lights on record labels, and the difference between Hip-Hop and R&B budgets. Skillz talks about his first album dropping, and how it was released on the same day as two iconic names in the rap industry. Skillz tells of how he met @Timbaland for the first time, as well as meeting @Pharrell before he was into production. Skillz brings up Rawkus records, and his time spent on the label. Skillz talk about "The Wrap Up", how it all started, and what keeps him motivated to do it every year. Skillz opens up for the first time

Episode 62: ...Please Play Like Him This week on the R.O.A.D. podacast, the fellas discuss how music is mastered in 2018, and is this current process good or bad? The fellas talk about having a really good sound system, and how this affects the music listening process. The fellas discuss social media, and what it's doing to us mentally. Crooked tells a great story of this past weekend when DJ Scooter decides to play a prank on him. The fellas discuss the "New Age" of 1-Hit Wonders, and how social media ultimately helps prolong their shelf life in the eyes of the public. The fellas talk about what new music is working in the clubs, and what songs are starting to fall off. The fellas run through the upcoming Grammy nominations, and who will be the potential winners and losers. The fellas debate on what is Drake's biggest commercial record of all time. Crooked and Jaime bring up the the Cardi B and Offset situation, and what's the best way to get your significant other back after cheating.

Episode 61: DJ POLITIK LA based DJ Politik sits down this week with the fellas of the R.O.A.D. podcast. Politik starts off talking about how he got his start in the DJ game, growing up in LA, and his first gigs at the legendary Playhouse Nightclub. He shares the story of landing his first Vegas residency at LAVO Nightclub, and later opening Marquee Nightclub’s Boombox Room in 2011, where he held down marathon sets on Friday nights. The fellas discuss how DJs only start to reach their full potential after turning 30. Politik speaks on the importance of deep music knowledge, taste, instincts, and having older mentors as key components of being a successful DJ. The fellas shed light on some of the obstacles they face from managers when playing bottle service venues. Politik discusses the importance of building your own identity as a DJ and the challenges faced when transitioning to a DJ/Producer. The fellas debate how crossover music affects the industry and whether it’s good or bad for club sets. Politik contin

Episode 60: Hair Whisperer The fellas start out discussing the newly released and highly anticipated Meek Mill album. Each of the fellas give their opinion of the best tracks on the album, as well as the best features. Crooked gives a critical analysis of the Jay-Z verse on "What's Free". D-Miles and Jaime Da Great share their thoughts on the new Anderson .Paak album. Crooked talks about the art of "Quick Mixing" and how it isn't done properly by most DJs. The fellas disuss who had the best features in 2018; Drake vs J. Cole and Nicky Minaj vs Cardi B. The fellas talk about the ongoing beef between Joiner Lucas and Tory Lanez. Crooked questions Tory Lanez' style. The fellas talk about the continued drama surrounding Tekashi 6ix9ine.

Episode 59: THE CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY 2.0 The Captians of Industry(DJs Stonerokk and Graham Funke) make their return to the R.O.A.D. podcast this week. With the recent fires plaguing Southern California, Stonerokk talks about his foundation and how he's doing his part to help save the city. Crooked and D-Miles give a short review of the movie "Mid 90s". Crooked questions the validity of the film, and asks Stone & Graham for their opinion as they came up in LA during the era depicted in the film. Graham Funke and Crooked discuss the importance of having a well rounded catalog of music when DJing open format clubs, and also when is it a good idea to play "old school" classics, and for how long. Graham explains why he feels it's important to play a heavy dose of new music when he DJs. Stonerokk brings up the debate of "Greatest Producer of All Time" which leads to a lengthy conversion by the entire crew, everyone agrees that this discussion is essentially a 3-man race.