Because Dreams can come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean words can't explain how I feel right now. The joy and hard work that went into this past weekend was crazy. I've been doing this for a little time now and I'm still in the process of making a name for myself, and think that I did just that this weekend.

The weekend started out with me hitting my man Jae Boogz Radio show Friday night. I came through from 9 to 10 and tore it down with him. Shout to Jae for having me. I really do appreciate it. From there, I did my set at Tahona Night Club. I had a few people come out to check me. Thank you to those that came and rocked with me Tahona Nightclub.

From there, I showed up to the Dolce Vita Lounge. My man M.M. Rick did his party there and what a party it was. The party was absolutely bumping when I got there at 3!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday to M.M. Rick. He has been doing a lot to help me out with this and I love him for that.

Then, the main event. Saturday night, steady rocking at Eternity Lounge in Queens. So just let me give you the inside scoop. I rocked with All Over Ent. That promotional company consists of Ralphy, Jay, & Saviel. They pretty much are the best in Queens right now. I mean, their parties every Saturday night in queens is always bumping so make sure that if you haven't done so already, make sure you check them out. Real talk, these niggas actually gave me a chance to shine on their for front man. They booked me and I will forever thank them for allowing me that opportunity to come and do my thing. 

The party was nuts. On the bill, it was D.J. Cisco(12" Cartel), D.J. Cre-8(Turntable Assassin), and me. I ain't going to front. I was a little nervous. But the nervous quickly turned into excitement. Everything that could have gone wrong that day actually did. It started by me not having nothing to wear. When I went to buy some stuff, it didn't want to except my card. Luckily, I got the card to work. Then, I went home figured that I would take a little power nap before i bounced.... And of coarse, I overslept. I woke up a little before 10 (Keep in mind that I was suppose to be there at 10:40). Jumped in the shower got, got dressed, and then the disaster. I got to pack my book bag and two things are missing: My External hard drive that I had left on Queens BLVD earlier that day and my headphones which I forgot in Tahona Nightclub the night before. I ended up leaving my house like at 10:30 to get the hard drive, and called Kojak to get my headphones at Tahona. 

I arrived at the club a few minutes before 11. Talk about making a good first impression. Lol. There was already a line outside before I got there. That was when I knew that it was going to be a special night. 

I got to the booth and set myself up. The music came on and I felt like a boxer when he's walking out to the ring with his trainer. I felt like a lot of the hard work had finally paid off. I was at this spot and I was going to tear the shit down.

D.J. Cisco walked into the booth. Now, for those of you that don't know Cisco, he's a crazy D.J. The dude is on point with his. I've heard him many times and he is dope. He came into the booth and introduced himself. He was mad cool. He gave me some words of advice, and ended by saying, "Just go in my nigga.." And that was just what I did.

I open up and it's a little trick. It's not just going and throwing on music. There is a process. When the doors open, people are really not ready to dance. They want to get themselves in the mood, get their drink on you know. So the music had to fit the vibe. For about half an hour, I just set the mood. Then, I pick up the pace a little. That was when I got on the mic, and did my merengue set. I threw on that omega drop that I have(Shout to my nigga Adi) and the crowd went crazy. And that was all she wrote. I had the crowd rocking with me. Then, Cre-8 walked in the building. I introduced myself and he was mad cool too. I jumped off the set with my head high feeling like a million. The promoters were happy, the crowd was happy, the people that came to see me were impressed, and I had made it. 

I want to thank everyone that came out to see me. It really meant a lot that I could share that night with everyone. This is just the beginning. I got a great year ahead. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now & Then

I mean, I understand. In life, things are not supposed to be simple. Things are not suppose to be just handed to you. I'm sure that a lot of the old school D.J.s feel this about this Serato era. I understand that 100%. I am all about earning the respect in anything so I does not bother me as much. 

That being said, I do believe in progression. I am an advocate for innovation, so I believe that things that can move forward, will move forward. I get what carrying the crates and cd books did for those D.J.s, and I do think that it was important. That being said, I don't think that me not taking part in the physical era of the art form prevents me from being any less of a good D.J. I wish I could have gotten the education that the pioneers had. But thats what makes them the pioneers.

People, let me clear up any misconceptions about being a D.J. NO, you are not just playing music. It does not consist of just pressing play and letting everyone dance. NO, going out and buying Serato Scratchlive does not make you a D.J. It does put you in a better position to learn at a more rapid pace, but it does make you an official one. I have been out a lot, seen some guys with macs, and have heard many train reck in the process. I have also seen some guys using cds and also been a mess. I think it more about the person, the preparation, and also the crowd man. "You have to play to your crowd" is what Phraze tells me and it's true. 

"D.J. is just like a boxing match. There are 12 rounds in a boxing match. You have to do what ever you can to win all those rounds. And you know what, there will be times that you will be losing the first few, but you have to make sure that no matter what, at the end of that twelfth round, your standing victorious." My man Lex told me this one day. I was sitting in his living room and he told me this which was probably one of the most important things I have ever heard in my life. And it is true. It is a perfect simile. A lot goes into a Boxing match. The training before, all the way up until the first punch was thrown, to the score cards read. You have to make sure that you got your music right. Then, you have to be creative with it as well. D.J. Cre-8 who is one of my favorite D.J. because the dude is creative as hell. A lot goes into it. Trust me.

I definitely do not think that having a laptop make this any easier. Yes, it helps. But without putting the hours in to your craft, doing your music homework, and individuality, then your just like everyone that wants to take the easy way out. The Serato is god sent for everyone I think.  What it is doing is providing more competition. Which in a sense is good, just not during a recession. But it is raising the bar for everyone and in doing so, making the music playback that much better. None the less, it is the shit. Honestly, it makes everyone better, but it can also make everyone worst just as easily. 

Now, I am a product of the Serato era. But I know what time it is. I've been a fan of this for years so I get it. From listening to Funkmaster Flex back in the 90s, to watching D.J. Scribble tear up MTV's Spring Break, to watching D.J. AM do mash ups on the fly on youtube. I know what time it is, and one way or another, the respect will be earned. 

Peace

D.J. Of The Week

Jam Master Jay R.I.P

Illmatic

So here was my logic. I remember picking up the pssl magazine and picking everything out for myself. I remember like it was yesterday man. Two Technics 1200s, Vestax pmc 05 mixer, Bose speakers (mind you, this is more then thirteen years ago so the powered speakers were just a thought), crown amp... I use to right down the list and tell my mom that this was what I wanted and this was what is was going to cost. She use to tell me the same thing over and over again. " Cuando me llega el income tax." And I use to watch television, M.T.V. & BET hoping to see a D.J. spin. The Mc introduced me to the D.J., and the D.J. introduced me to everyone else.

I remember meeting everyone, the artist, the breaker, and the producer. They had and always will have a crazy crew. It was when I became a part of Hip Hop. I remember sitting down with all them and getting accepted by everyone. 

But the two that I could relate to the most was the breaker and D.J. I was fascinated by these two. I remember seeing  Beat Street in like 1990 (Mind you I was two years old and remember this). I remember everyone spinning on the floor and it just looked sick. It was like seeing a magic trick, and appreciating what was going on, instead of trying to figure out. I remember seeing Special K moving his hand back and forth one the metal square that I had in my house. Lol. Just didn't get the full gist of what he was doing. 

The D.J. has always been a part of my life so to speak. My pops was a D.J. back in the 70s. I got the pictures to prove it. Then my cousin Franklin, he was always into the whole D.J. movement back in the early 90s. But I could recall two moments that made me want to become a part of that movement. Juice & Funkmaster Flex's 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 3.

Juice was an ill movie. I saw it in either 1992 or early 1993. First of all, I remember hearing the scratches in the song Juice by Eric B. & Rakim. The scratches were serious on that track. When Omar Epps (Gee Q) is doing his thing...It was crazy for me. When he's his his room alone and also when he's battling. Classic Hip Hop scenes.

"Good Times..." I remember hearing him come on the mic in his intro in 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 3. I use to listen to that one track over and over again. 

Fast Forward to November 2007. I decide to get my first set and from there the sky is the limit. In the first year, have done more then I could have asked for, hence the title, Illmatic. The second is going to be even better. 

The goal is to hit every club in Queens this year, as well as becoming a house hold name in this industry. I'm taking this to a whole other level this year. The movement is officially in full effect!!!!

I will be documenting the whole year. Let you know the inside scope on all of what is going. I mean all of it, the good, the bad, the real deal. 

D.J. of The Week

Jam Master Jay R.I.P