Reflections Of A Dj

Episode 311: RICK WONDER “The Hardest Working DJ in NYC” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York’s finest @RickWonder (with special guest co-host @ChachiOfficial + @MartyRock). Rick speaks on getting his start in DJ’ing 22 years ago (1:45) and talks about being a one man band with his social and digital marketing skills (18:00). @DJCrooked expresses his belief that editors are saving DJs when it comes to new music (30:00) and the crew debate whether open format is dying in the clubs (43:00). The group share past horrible gig micro-managing stories (59:00) and finding spaces where they are valued for their talent (1:06:00). Finally, Rick shares his favorite rooms to DJ and nerve wrecking situations during his sets (1:27:01).

Episode 310: JCU3 "How The Kardashian Curse Affected Latin Music" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome LA’s finest @Jcu3. Jcu3 speaks on growing up Salvadorian in South Central Los Angeles (01:45), DJ’ing while being enlisted in the United States Army (@USArmy) and wishing he could play more Eastcoast Latin Music on the Westcoast (14:00). The fellas talk about how new music in Hip-Hop and Reggaeton aren’t in high demand (16:20), debate Spanglish microphone game at Latin Music themed parties (24:00) and discuss Jcu3 being typecast as solely a Latin DJ. Jcu3 credits the @BadBunnyPR #KardashianCurse for a decline in Latin parties (50:00) and insists that Latin people don’t buy bottles or like spending money at the club (52:00). Finally, the crew discuss some current trending reggaeton crossover songs (1:14:15).

Episode 309: DJ NEIL JACKSON: "Most Likable DJ On The Eastcoast" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York’s finest @NeilJackson. Neil speaks on being from LA and living in NY (1:57) and DJ’ing cypher battles in Pomona running into Will.i.am (@IAmWill), @ThePharcyde, and @DJVice in the early 2000s (6:45). @DJCrooked talks about record lugging problems (13:55) and the cab driver racism issues that plagued NYC in the late 90s (18:55). Neil remembers being the “On Call DJ” early in his career (32:01), speaks on New York being busier post-pandemic (46:00) and breaks down the difference between the Manhattan and Brooklyn nightlife scenes (56:01). The crew discuss how the younger generation of DJs are playing in a true open format style (1:04:00). Finally, Neil talks about his coffee company @BRLCoffeeco (1:26:01).

Episode 308: MOJAXX "The Bill Nye Of DJ Tech" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome UK’s finest and one of the most recognizable voices in DJ tech for @DJCity @BeatsourceOfficial, @Mojaxx. Mojaxx opens up about his incredible weight loss journey (2:10), explains why @PioneerDJGlobal launched #AlphaTheta with their wireless, bluetooth #OmnisDuo controller (7:10) and shares his honest opinion when reviewing tech (15:23). He expresses his disdain for early "Stems" programs (24:00), his take on the worst piece of DJ equipment (51:00) and challenges the worst era for DJ technology (1:00:00). Mojaxx talks about taking pride in being a great local resident DJ (1:17:00), explains why he started creating DJ tech review videos (1:21:55) and his process for creating videos out of the @DJCityUk offices (1:30:00). Finally, he speaks on the poor economic climate of the nightlife industry (1:37:00) and the current rate problem for UK DJs (1:53:01).

Episode 307: DJ CHACHI "Artist Management vs DJ Agencies" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew welcome New York’s finest DJ/Producer and co-owner of @4AMNYC, @ChachiOfficial with guest and CEO of 4AM @MadBack. Chachi speaks on his career in the early 2000s with residencies at mur.mur Mondays in Atlantic City and Stereo and Tenjune in New York City (02:55). He explains how he followed his Father's financial advice as a young DJ and invested in @ShrineFoxwoods (23:01). Chachi remembers learning from other older DJ’s mistakes (33:55) and discusses the unstable financial income of being a DJ (1:03:00). He talks about @TheChainsmokers being on the original #4AM roster and taking over the operations at the company with @MadBack (1:12:45). Chachi discusses wanting to do the right thing for DJs with #4AM (1:41:55) and breaks down the difference between his artist management company vs other DJ agencies (2:00:00). Finally, Chachi addresses never having “the cool factor” to get booked in certain cities

Episode 306: MAD SKILLZ "The Go-To Voice For Hip-Hop" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew bring back Grammy nominated-songwriter, ghostwriter, rapper and DJ, Mad Skillz (@SkillzVA). Skillz speaks on @BustaRhymes’ encouragement during his @BETAwards ‘Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Wrap Up’ (8:45), explains ‘Sync Approval’ in the music business (13:55) and warns young writers and record producers of predatory publishing deals (22:01). Skillz speaks on partnering with @Nas & @MassAppeal for the “Hip Hop Till the Infinity” installation currently in LA till March 18th 2024 (29:20) and breaks down his current projects including his EP ‘The Bop Gods’ and his spoof group “Nodeci” (35:56). Finally, the fellas debate when R&B changed from ‘I Love You’ energy to it's current ‘F*** You!’ toxicity (48:00).

Episode 305: ESENTRIK On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome famed New York Remixer, Editor, Producer & DJ @Esentrik. Esentrik speaks on his early career, getting his 2011 ‘Over’ Drake edit (@ChampagnePapi) featured on @OVOSound’s blog (2:01) and being inspired by #TheNeptunes’ @ChadHugo, a fellow Filipino-American producer/musician, to start DJing (9:21). He talks about his love for early 2000's pop music (25:55), how he met @DJBenzi (33:02) and formed the EDM DJ duo @WeAreTWRK (40:36). Esentrik gets candid about producing his viral remix of @Beyonce’s “Cuff It X Wetter” (48:55), encountering another "DJ" attempting to claim his remix (1:00:00) and getting the call from #Beyonce’s camp to make the remix official (1:06:20). He remembers feeling famous while #TWRK was touring all over the world (1:20:00) and recalls his “dark days” feeling lost after TWRK ended (1:30:00). Esentrik explains how he regained his confidence after seeing DJs playing his edits on @Twitch during the pandemic

Episode 304: BRYAN-MICHAEL COX On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Grammy Award winning record producer, songwriter and DJ @BryanMichaelCox.Bryan speaks on the excitement of @Usher landing the @NFL #SBVIII #AppleMusicHalftime show and how he predicted #Usher being chosen (04:32). He reflects on his early career from making 20-25 songs with Jagged Edge (@Official_JE) in 3 weeks (12:55) to his iconic first year working with @Aaliyah, @ToniBraxton, @JermaineDupri and @MariahCarey (17:00). Bryan remembers working with a young @DestinysChild @Beyonce in high school (30:10) and states that he believes church is missing from R&B music nowadays (50:01). He talks about being on @Diddy’s #MakingTheBand helping form @DanityKane and @Day26 (1:04:12), the process of writing Usher’s #Confessions album (1:13:01) and how 2001 was a fun "party year" that inspired records like Jagged Edge’s ‘Where the Party At’ and Nivea’s (@ThisIsNivea) ‘Don’t Mess with My Man’ (1:33:04). Finally, Bryan opens up a

Episode 303: DJ ENUFF On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas are back with legendary New York DJ, Producer and @Hot97 radio personality @DJEnuff (with special guest co-hosts @DJGoldFingerNYC + @DJQuiz). Enuff acknowledges that New Yorkers put him at odds with @FunkFlex (2:01), speaks on @KoolDJRedAlert getting him his first radio mixer job at KISS FM (10:01) and revisits Doug E. Fresh (@TheRealDougEFresh) warning him about burning headliners (19:11). He explains hip hop radio politics and why @Power1051 was created as competition for @Hot97 (32:01). Enuff reminisces on Biggie (@TheNotoriousBIG) giving him an advanced copy of his debut album “Ready To Die” (39:01), almost turning down being Big’s tour DJ (44:00) and producing songs like the “Get Money Remix” and “Nobody Till Somebody Kills You” (51:55). He speaks on Jessica Rosenblum (@JRosenblum1) forming the “Flip Squad DJs” (1:09:42) and talks about creating his own DJ crew @TheHeavyHitters (1:14:01). Enuff admits to blaming hip hop for Big

Episode 302: Remembering DJ Neva (#Neva4Eva) On this week’s special episode of the @RoadPodcast, @DJCrooked and @JaimeDaGreat are joined by @DJNeva’s older sisters Sean (pronounced "seen"), Marion and his niece Nicole, along with his close friends @EddieMacLV and @DJSeanPerry in remembrance of their beloved co-host Evan "Neva" Boyd aka Black Panda who passed suddenly in Nov. 5th, 2024. Crooked discusses the timeline and events that led to Neva’s unfortunate passing (01:50). Sean and Marion reminisce on Neva’s childhood, taking him to the park jams during the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx (14:15), explain how he developed his music encyclopedia knowledge (26:11) and pursued his dream to be a Club DJ full-time (31:40). They share their proudest moments of their brother (54:50) and talk about how his name DJ Neva came about (1:11:02). Crooked speaks on the new phrase “Neva Would’ve Wanted Us To” (1:37:01) and Sean Perry reflects on how many doors he broke down for minority DJs in New York and Vegas (1:40:02). F

Episode 301: DJ MARS “ATL Royalty” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Atlanta's finest @DJMars404. Mars discusses being @Usher's show in Las Vegas (09:23) and how he handles the pressure of huge celebrities being in the crowd (15:01). He sheds light on the talent that attended #ClarkAtlantaUniversity (@CAU1988) in the 1990's (29:01) and breaks down the sound of an Atlanta DJ (38:01). Mars speaks on how bottle service changed the dance culture in ATL nightlife in the 2000's (43:01), explains the difference between “Snap Music” and “Crunk Music” (47:01) and shares how quickly his radio co-worker “Chris Lova Lova” aka @Ludacris rose to fame after 'What's Your Fantasy' dropped (1:01:02).  He explains why he's had so much success touring with huge R&B artists (1:08:05) and shares the story of how he missed out on being @Outkast's first tour DJ (1:17:55). Finally, Mars addresses hookah bars taking over Atlanta (1:27:01).

Episode 300: “My Friend DJ AM” Feat. DJ KEVIN SCOTT On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Orange County’s finest @DJKevinScott (curator of @DJAMLives). Kevin recounts his legendary pool parties in the 2000's (1:21), speaks on his musical beginnings with his first vinyl pressings (11:01), and remembers first meeting #DJAM (21:30). He talks about the creation of #Deckstar (43:55) and the barriers DJ AM broke with his TV/Movie collaborations (48:21). Kevin explains how he became responsible for @DJAMLives (57:01), speaks on how the documentary ‘As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM’ came together (1:02:00) and breaks down the newly unreleased documentary footage launching in 2 parts: “The Artist” focusing on AM's DJing and “The Addict” deep diving into Adam's addition (1:05:45). He details the aftermath of the AM and @TravisBarker South Carolina plane crash and discusses how the @MTV show “Gone Too Far” effected AM (1:22:44). Finally, Kevin reveals his up-and-coming app for DJs (1:39:20)

Episode 299: “DJ Twitter Ridiculousness” Feat. TRAYZE + SPYDATEK On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back acclaimed DJs/Producers/Editors @Trayze and @SpydaTekZilla. The crew discuss the oversaturation of Amapiano edits being released (06:10) and Spydatek shares his reluctance to launch a Patreon right now (10:02). Crooked and Trayze discuss the production process for their “Play Bad Bunny” party break (18:51) and the fellas review some recent “DJ Tweets” that went viral in the community (42:40).

Episode 298: “The First Vinyl DJ Agency” Feat. EDDIE MCDONALD On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back owner/founder of @MacAgencyLV and Vinyl Curator for @DJPee.Wee, Las Vegas's finest @EddieMacLV. Eddie explains his role on the road as a "Vinyl Stylist" for @DJPee.Wee (04:01) and shares some of the transporting issues for a Vinyl DJ in 2023 (23:43). He explains how @Anderson._Paak started spinning with him at the @SilkSonic afterparties at @OnTheRecordLV (37:23) and how he balances operations at @MACAgencyLV while on the road with Pee Wee (1:00:02). Finally, Eddie talks about launching the first vinyl DJ agency “Mac Vinyl Collective” under the Mac Agency umbrella (1:15:10).

Episode 297: "The LA x NY Connection" Feat. DJ BELLA FIASCO On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back LA’s finest @BellaFiasco. The crew discuss regional DJ’ing and Bella questions if there is any room for West Coast DJs in New York (3:12). Bella speaks on the inspiration behind her 444 party (23:02), addresses a controversial tweet @DJCrooked brings up (37:44), and shares a nightmare headliner story from earlier in her career (1:00:23). Finally, the squad wonder if main character syndrome is to blame for their negative experiences with new openers (1:13:25) and speak honestly about therapy (1:40:03).

Episode 296: The New Face Of Las Vegas On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas break down Las Vegas’ hotels getting hacked (0:55) and speak about @LifeIsBeautiful (7:01). @DJNeva realizes he needs to work on his @Serato face (5:20) and @DJCrooked gives flowers to @DJGoldfingerNYC’s set at @VIBEMagazine's "30th Anniversary" party in NYC (18:10). The crew speak about @FlavorFlavOfficial bum-rushing the DJ booth (33:46) and deep dive into @Usher performing at the @NFL's 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show (51:05). Finally the crew debate who produced better #JayZ records between @Timbaland and @Pharrell (55:01) and Neva and Crooked exchange drunken war stories (1:03:50).

Episode 295: DJ KAOS On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome San Diego's finest @DJKaosSD. Kaos speaks on entering a booker role at venues like @SideBarSD @ElChingonSD (7:01), having parents unsupportive of his DJ career (26:01) and taking positive steps to seek help with therapy (41:01). He opens up about feeling forever indebted to the community after the immense support he got during the passing of his daughter (52:10). Finally, Kaos talks about having to turn down your friends as a booker (1:06:22) and @DJCrooked praises the lighting crew as the unsung heroes of the nightclub (1:29:00).

Episode 294: “50 Years Of Hip Hop” Feat. DJ MELLSTARR On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back Harlem's finest @DJMellStarr. Mellstarr explains why he hates the term “Old School” when referring to Hip-Hop music (5:34), gives his recap of the "50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop" concert at Yankee Stadium (13:10) and speaks about his “Mellstarr And Friends” event with @Official_SugarHillGang at @DJXShowOfficial (24:01). The crew examines how new music takes longer to translate in the clubs nowadays (38:00), discuss the best time length for a DJ set (44:35) and give tips for mic work in the club (103:01). Finally, the fellas' debate which "Clean" versions of songs sounded better than the original "Dirty" version and discuss the best Remix ever made (1:17:17).

Episode 293: "The Princess Of Las Vegas" Feat. JAZLYN RICH On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome their youngest guest ever, up-and-coming local Las Vegas DJ @JazlynRich aka the 'Princess of Las Vegas'. Jazlyn speaks on how she linked up with @SimpCityLV (4:01) and discusses her own pop throwback music party @SincerelyNostalgia (5:11). The crew debate on the last year Hip Hop music dominated the clubs (8:10), question why young DJs don't band together more (12:38) and explain you can learn more from a "bad DJ" (18:00). They discuss the "2023 Song Of The Summer" (36:45) and discuss the importance of DJ showmanship (46:20). Jazlyn talks about the struggles of being a young DJ playing high profile events and large venues (55:40) and explains how she obtained the name the “Princess of Las Vegas” (1:11:44). Finally, the crew analyze if @SexyyRed has the song of the summer (1:22:39).

Episode 292: “The DJ Fantasy Of Joining An Agency” Feat. DJ MARCO PENTA On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York’s finest @DJMarcoPenta. Marco speaks on his role with @Yay3DayWeekend (7:01) and clarifies the rumors about DJ rates increasing in New York (13:13). The fellas debate why older DJs have had longevity in nightlife (17:20) and reflect on the newness of DJs creating their own edits during the mash-up era (37:02). Finally, they discuss "Lazy DJs" asking for song suggestions on Twitter (46:32) deep dive into the "DJ fantasy" of joining a DJ agency (1:01:10).