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Check out this Exclusive Footage As DJ Envy and DJ Steel Interview Rocko on the SiriusXm Radio Show HipHopNation. Rocko Talk’s About His Label, HisArtist Future and his new project “Gift Of Gab”2
New Interview Update: @DjEnvy Talk’s With @Rocko4Real Live On @Siriusxm / @HipHopNation -http://wp.me/p2uZNO-1gV (3-21) S/o to @DjSteel1
SXSW 2013 was an amazing happening this year! The Hype Magazine was on hand to catch some of the hottest events and grabbed some interviews with folks making it HAPPEN in the industry. For real Hip Hop heads, the night with DJ Axis Powers on the wheels of steel at the Empire was one to remember. A noted battle DJ and a member of Shinobi Ninja one of the hottest hip-rock groups I have ever seen, I HAD to snatch an interview with this cat!
I have always been amazed at the skillz of the real DJ but I have to admit, DJ Axis Powers is not only an extremely talented DJ but he is a consummate showman AND a modern day representer of the day when the DJ WAS the EMCEE and that title was held only by the DJ and not the rapper.
Of all the SXSW events, I witnessed, DJ Axis Powers and Shinobi Ninja were the best of the best to me and I SAW some legends too like George Clinton, Talib, CL Smooth, etc…all at the Empire located at 6th and Red River in Austin. If you hit a venue during SXSW or visit Austin, that is the spot to be!!! I am sure you will find DJ Axis in the house and The Hype Magazine is declaring this venue as our Austin Headquarters…Check the interview!
Who is DJ Axis and where are you from?
I am the “turntablist assassin” for Shinobi Ninja a band representing Brooklyn, NY. I was born in Toronto, Canada and grew up in New Jersey.
What is the significance of your name and how did you get that name?
My full stage name is DJ Axis Powers. My father is German and my mother is Japanese. During World War II my relatives served in the German and Japanese armies. The armies represented something truley negative during that time. Most of my father’s mother’s brothers were killed in action and my mother’s father survived only because he was an engineer and wasn’t in combat. I am determined to change the connotation of the name Axis Powers. To be the “Axis of Good” by bringing joy to people through the power of music.
Describe your style?
I would describe my style as energy, courage, and power. Whether I’m rocking with Shinobi Ninja, scratching in a battle, or mixing in a club, I’m going 110%. I always try to bring as much energy to a performance as possible. You can’t touch peoples lives if you are not being sincere so I find it very important to have the courage to be the best version of yourself and not to put on fronts. To connect with an audience is a powerful thing. When a crowd responds to a performance I feel there is this amazing moment of unity between the atrist and audience that creates a very positive energy that brings joy to everyone. This kind of positivity makes the world a better place. To me this is why music is a very important.
What was the first record you start scratching and mixing on the turntables?
DJ Rectangle Battle Breaks (white vinyl) was the first record I used to learn basic scratches like “Baby” and “Transformer” scratches. Some of my first vinyls were: Brand Nubian “Slow Down,” LL Cool J “Around The Way Girl,” and EPMD “You Gots to Chill” 12 inch singles.
You have experience as a Battle DJ, can you tell us the difference in that and other types of performance DJing?
Battling can be very intense. You only have one shot and all eyes are on you. Your only focus is taking out your opponent(s) by winning over the crowd. There is no room for error. A record skip could be the difference between victory and defeat. Because it is so intense I feel battling is the best training for performing as a dj. That is why some of the top battle DJs in the world get amazing opportunities to perform such as: DJ Atrak with Kanye West, DJ Enferno with Madonna, DJ Lord with Public Enemy, and DJ Roc Raida (RIP) with Busta Rhymes, just to name a few.
via INTERVIEW WITH DJ AXIS POWERS @djaxispowers | The Hype Magazine 24/7 News.
Nicole Chen
Singapore – Celebrity model and DJ Nicole Chen and her associated record label responded to allegations that she took credit for another DJs unauthorized remix. Italian DJ Allessandro Vinai has accused Chen of taking credit for his bootleg remix of Niki Minaj’s “Pound the Alarm” according to Asiaone.com’s “Showbiz” page. (Ang, asiaone.com 2012)
In a November 9, 2012 article by Benson Ang of Singapore based “The New Paper,” Allessandro Vinai admitted to stealing and creating a “bootleg” mix of the song “Pound the Alarm” by Cash Money Records artist Nicki Minaj. Vinai later accused Chen, a well known international DJ and remixer, of stealing his admittedly stolen mix.
Vinai brazenly uploaded a YouTube video showing him creating his stolen mix and then posted it on his Facebook page.
In a message to The New Paper, Chen responded, “There is absolutely no truth to the alleged accusations of me plagiarizing anybody’s work.” She continued “I am currently seeking legal advice and will reserve further comment till then.”
Chen is a former beauty queen and was crowned Miss Earth Singapore in 2007. Since that time, she has earned a reputation as a first-class DJ and has performed at festivals across asia. In October of 2012 during an event in Bangkok, Thailand, Chen was photographed with American Socialite Paris Hilton. Paris Hilton joined Chen in the DJ booth during the event. There are talks of Chen and Hilton teaming up for Hilton’s DJ world premier. The attack by Vinai has unfairly created shadows of a negative light on the international DJs character.
So You Want to Be a DJ? – Culture – GOOD.
This post is in partnership with Pepsi Refresh Project
Imagine: There’s a crowd of people in front of you, and they’re all grooving to your sounds. And it’s all because you’re mixing and beat matching in perfect harmony with the mood. Sound appealing? Maybe you’re meant to be a DJ.
Don’t be daunted by getting started; even the biggest names had to take first steps. Like global phenomenon Paul van Dyk, a Grammy-winning DJ who’s played before millions (check out his newest album, Evolution, coming out later this year). “In the beginning I mixed mixtapes just for myself and some friends,” he says. “One of my friends actually passed one of those tapes onto a promoter, and that’s how I got my first gig. So it was somewhat by accident.” Or Markus Schulz, one of the top ten DJs in the world (his latest album, Thoughts Become Things II dropped July 1), who as a teen break dancer, one day set up a party with his crew and ended up playing the whole time.
It’s an amazing gig, if you can get it. “When you walk in to perform, no matter how long you’ve been doing it, you always get a thrill,” says Schulz. “It’s about being able to hold a crowd fixed for an entire night, with the musical journey you’re taking them on. It’s a great feeling!”
Borrowing from the pros, here are some tips and tricks for making like a master DJ, whether you’re mixing for a packed club, or to pump up your friend’s birthday party.
Get Set Up
Try a software program like Virtual DJ that mixes your chosen mp3 songs; you’ll just need a laptop, mixer, and sound system to start. From there, upgrade to two turntables to go with your mixer and add in a system like Serato that lets you access all your digital files (no more lugging around creates of records or CDs), matches beats, loops songs, and has other nice tricks.
Find Your Sound
Let’s be specific here. As Schulz says, “Find your sound. Not the one everyone else around is playing, not the one all your mates are necessarily talking about, but the one that speaks to you. You can be an exceptional DJ, but if you’re doing what every other one on your block is doing, you’ll only rise up a certain part of the way. It’s about passion.” ‘Nuff said.
Cultivate Yourself
What kinds of traits are helpful for DJs? DJ Apryl Reign, who won a 2010 Pepsi Refresh to teach youth how to DJ and beat match at Elementz, lays it out: “Deep knowledge of great music, great crowd pleasing skills, a good sense of humor, and a desire to push yourself to the next level.”
Go Out and Play!
Get out the word on Facebook, among friends, at any party you attend that you’re willing to play—for free, to start. Ask around at restaurants, do house parties, sign up for open turntable nights at cafés where you sign up for half-hour slots. Above all, practice, practice, practice!
Have a Good Time
No one wants to see a downer DJ, no matter how good the music. Rob Roster (a.k.a DJ Motiv) Portland, Oregon is a full-time contractor by day, DJ whenever he can by night. “Convey energy and excitement; you want people to say, ‘This guy’s digging it,’” says Roster. “The money doesn’t cover the practice, prep, and equipment until you’re big time, so the payoff is someone telling you at the end that you rocked.”
Bottom Line?
As van Dyk says, “If you would like to become a DJ you should first of all ask yourself ‘Why?’ If the answer is anything else than ‘Because I love music,’ there is no need for you.”
Read more from the GOOD Guide to Arts and Culture here.
Among the current members of the Hip Hop DJ royal family is one of the South’s most prolific mixtape and touring masters of the mix and his name is…Da’ Hitman. With multiple RIAA certified gold records and having hosted mixtapes for some of the new music elite, this Hip Hop celebrity mixer stays true to the real calling of the title. Da’ Hitman breaks records, gives artists the needed exposure to new fans and uses his radio platform as well as his social media presence like a true magician.
Music Industry changes have created a niche for DJs who specialize in the new version of the album…Mixtapes. While there are several divisions of mixtapes, i.e. celebrity hosted compilations and single artist projects hosted by the mixing DJ, the overall effect is the same, Long Play (LP) albums are making a return albeit in a different format.
DJs who specialize in producing mixtapes and spinning live mixes to audiences are once again being considered music industry royalty. Real DJs paying homage to the creators of the mix, cut and scratch elements of Hip Hop are now the one’s breaking records…again.
I was blessed to have Da’ Hitman carve out some time and give me one of the best interviews I have conducted with a Hip Hop personality in quite some time.
Who are your musical influences and why? As a DJ I give credit to Kool DJ Red Alert, Marley Marl, Funkmaster Flex – the DJs that kept me glued to a radio growing up. I think I get my drive to be the first to break a record from their shows. They always broke new records and that was their draw (for me). I would also have to mention Kid Kapri, Jazzy Jeff, Jam Master Jay and Scott La Rock…
When did you know you wanted to be a DJ? Every since I was 14 years old. The reaction I got as a kid making mixtapes and spinning house parties then graduating to youth center dances and finally club gigs. It’s that reaction I get from hearing a dope record for the first time and the reaction I get from people when they hear my twists to a mix.
What prompted you to venture into Mixtapes? I was doing weekly radio shows and gigs and it just seemed like an easy transition to simply record what I was already doing and venture into another medium. I started in late 2009, then built it up in 2010, but I think 2011 was really a breakout year for me. I have to give a lot of credit to DJ Ykcor for grooming me in the mixtape hustle. He basically mentored me through quite a bit of it.
What is your favorite part of performing/touring? The crowds. I love showing up at a venue and seeing a line at the door and knowing my name is on the flyers and the marque. The REAL joy is getting it in on them turntables and hearing/seeing the reaction. If I had to pinpoint a specific favorite of touring – crowd reaction, hands down.
What can your fans expect on the album you are currently pushing? The total package. I won’t endorse an album/artist unless I feel they are bringing something unique to the game and can deliver not only dope wordplay and lyrical acrobatics, but the production has to be the same. If anyone see’s me cosign an artist/album they can be assured the music is honestly dope, but just as important – unique.
Where is the one place in the world you would love to perform at and why? I keep saying this over and over but it still hasn’t happened – BRAZIL! I have to gig in Brazil before I die. Everything I see and hear about Brazil just screams good times and great memories. If I’m going to have women flashing their tits at me in the booth – I would LOVE for those to be Brazilian women lol
Tell us about the best part of what you do? I dig in crates weekly to find breaks, clips, samples, etc. then twist those gems into the mix under today’s music. I actually mix and I’m fanatical about that. It’s disgusting to me when I hit play on a so-called “mixtape” and there is no MIX. I embrace music from both Indies and majors and roll them side-by-side. Actual real DJ skills I think is really my identity. When I do drop a mixtape I get it in with promoting the mixtape and I think that separates me from a lot of other DJs too. A lot of DJs drop a mixtape and just spam it out over twitter and Facebook. I post all of my mixtapes to more than 10 different mixtape sites, then push it out to blogs, ning sites, music related websites, e-zines/magazines, newspapers, and apparently forgotten by man – THE STREETS. You have to get those mixtapes actually out in the streets to really reach an actual audience as opposed to a huge following of other DJs and artists on the social networking sites.
What do you think of today’s musical trends? I think there is a shift brewing from all the trap music. People are beginning to open up to a more musical sound and finally unique styles are standing out. I think female artists are seriously on a push to really make a mark in 2012. Kalenna, Guyana, Jazzy, Nikki Grier, Yenkho Aiko, Cocoa Sarai, Precious Paris, Kim Joyce… I also think that the more lyrical artists are FINALLY accepting production that is current and allowing their lyrical gifts to reach a broader audience.
Any upcoming appearances? March 5th premier of my Unique Styles Show on IceBreakerRadio.com with my co-host Kittie (from VH1′s “Lets Talk About Pep”), March 7th SWAC Basketball Tournament (Eclipse is performing at halftime of the 8pm game), SXSW, Core DJ Retreat (now called MixShowLive 2012) in May.
Any advice for upcoming artists? Be prepared to put in the necessary work AFTER you finish recording. Make sure your music is labeled properly. Get yourself set up so that you can record drops and do mixtape hosting right from your home (this really only takes a cheap desktop Mic and plain old windows media sound recorder). Once you have your single picked out – get a full DJ service pack prepared and have it available at a moment’s notice. Never deny a DJ’s request to push a record from your album because you had picked out a different record to push as a single. Let those DJs do what they do best – break your records. Network, network, and network EFFECTIVELY. Twitter works great if used effectively. SPAMMING DJS YOUTUBE LINKS IS NOT EFFECTIVE! Last but probably most important, when a DJ puts your music in the mix on radio, a mixtape, or in the clubs – PROMOTE IT HEAVY. If your name and your music is driving feedback and requests or even simple comments and tweets, a DJ is a LOT more likely to keep you in the mix. You are good for business for the DJ which is good for the business of breaking YOUR MUSIC.
Where can your fans find more info? I’m constantly adding content to my website www.dahitman.com with new mixtapes, new music, album reviews, etc. I’m usually pretty active on twitter too (@DAHITMAN).
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One of the aims of ExploringBelgrade blog is to support and present young enthusiastic new talents. For now They are not that much popular, but have potential for becoming a real artist in further future. In time and place or should I better say state where We live there is too much young people wasting time, not doing anything useful. Here it's common to hate and denigrate other people's work, so I decided to take the other side and support some quality things and artists.
Simon Cowell
TV personality and music producer Simon Cowell is launching a new talent competition to find the world’s best DJs.
Already known to television audiences in Britain and the United States as the acerbic judge on hit talent shows like American Idol, The X Factorand Britain’s Got Talent, the 52-year-old is looking to expand his empire.
“DJ’s are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show,” he said in a statement.
The new format will be co-produced by SYCO, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music, and Overbrook Entertainment, a U.S. entertainment company founded by Hollywood star Will Smith.
Sony Pictures Television will also be a partner in the venture, which has been in development for more than a year. Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith has been involved for Overbrook.
The three parties said they would announce their broadcast partners in Britain and the United States soon.
Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9040598/Simon-Cowell-to-launch-DJ-talent-show.html (January 29, 2012)
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