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and, yeah... those are some
of things I handle in a normal week. *I checked out your website...you also have a pretty impressive online presence too...*
*Tune in to 101.1FM The Beat between 3 and 7pm and you’ll get a dose of the hardest working man in entertainment! Flip on channel 3 Fridays at 10am and catch a glimpse of one of the brightest stars in the valley! Pick a weekend, and make your way over to Talking Stick Resort’s rooftop nightclub where you’ll undoubtedly see a beaming smile, a gigantic Afro, and an unforgettable performance! I headed to The Mint in Old Town Scottsdale, where I caught up with the the one and only Ramses Ja to get his thoughts on making time for everything, making money for everyone, and making history...period!* *First things first...what are all of your commitments, and how do you stay on top of them?* Well, besides being a father to my son, Christian (laughter)...I am employed by Sierra H Broadcasting as a Music Director, Production Director, and On-Air Personality and a bunch of other stuff that would probably bore you (laughter)...but it’s cool! That’s my day job with the health insurance and stuff, so that gets a lot of my attention. The TV stuff with channel 3 is pretty cool because it’s only a few hours long and it’s one day out of a week. Since I’ve been doing that show for a couple years now, it’s kind of like second nature, so it’s pretty easy to execute. Let’s see, um, as a DJ, I’m contracted with Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale three nights a week, but sometimes I’ll do events at their Casino Arizona property...either way, it’s pretty cut and dry, so it’s no stress...
Oh yeah! Well, I look at it like this...Since I am fortunate enough to be able to interview all of the artists and celebrities that come through the city, I may as well capture the footage and put it up on the internet. That way, I can preserve these significant moments in my career, make YouTube money from the content, and generate unique brand impressions for myself. I try to...well, I figure there’s five significant ways to brand myself and those are radio, television, print, online, and in-person. By and large, people are likely to regularly consume content from one or two of these mediums, so I try to have content available for all of them. I write for a couple of magazines every month. I, of course do my radio show. I have my own cameras and lighting for my own online productions, so I’m happy with the progression that I’ve been seeing. On top of that, I now have a taste for an outdoor presence. DJ Knick Knack congratulated me last year on being the first DJ in Arizona to have my own billboard, so I’d like to see more of that for myself in the future...and for him too. I’m just waiting on the moon and the stars to line up so it all makes sense for me. *Speaking of DJs, are there any DJs you’re a fan of?*
Bigie, Senbad, Craig Conrad, Robby Rob is one of the greatest ever... Skandalis, Kenji, Design, Astonish, Complex, Jen, Rocko, Hospe, Jaba One, Element is amazing! He should never retire! I could go on all day! As far as music, Bobby Anthony is my guy...I hear good things from Death to the Throne. I have also been getting jiggy with Wig Mafia lately, and I have always rocked with Silver Medallion...rest in peace, Carn! Oh, and I have to send a Rest in Peace shout out to DJ Trauma from Power 98.3...he was a good dude. Also, I caught Illmatic at Majerles a few times...he’s dope too! *So, you make it to Majerles? How do you feel about the Scottsdale scene in 2013?* Well, first of all, my radio station is in Old Town Scottsdale, so I’m here more than just on weekends. I usually only go out when I’m invited places, or when I’m getting paid...I have a lot going on in my regular life, so I’m not just partying for the sake of partying. Even still, I get held up at the door from time to time, for a “dress code” violation, or a “we’re at capacity” speech, and since I know what the bouncers are really saying, it often leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the whole Scottsdale scene. It’s like “No, I’m here to work” or “No, I was invited by the owner” or something like that and then I
Oh, absolutely! Knick Knack and DJ Madd Rich are the two guys that gave me my foundation as a DJ, so I will eternally be fans of theirs. My R.E.D.Y. Set (Reach Every Dream You Set) brothers Deongello, Tio Gio, and Bootleg Kev are all childhood friends of mine, so they will always be first on my list. On top of that, I have been impressed by tons of DJs here...M2, Tyger, Slippe, MCB, Steel, Circle, Fashen even though he left...JR...even though he left. Um...let’s see...Q Ward, Mikee Mike, Phlava, Chris Villa, Class, JD, Aaron Taylor, Earth, Decipha,
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have to stand at the door texting someone for 20 minutes until I get a response. That’s why the only places I go to on a regular basis get shout outs on my radio show, and on channel 3...but I know I’m always good at the Mint... shout to Theresa, or at the W... shout to Joe Diggs... you know? Places like that. I don’t
usually have business anywhere else. My time is too valuable to just be standing outside of a club in the middle of the night by some bouncer who doesn’t recognize me (laughter). *Ramses and I left the Mint to head over to a mural of Marilyn Monroe (painted by Leo Nicovic) that renowned photographer Tajji Sharp chose for scene one of this month’s photo shoot. I rode in Ramses’ classic 1968 Corvette which he told me he only pulls out the garage when his son is feeling like going somewhere in “The Batmobile” or when someone wants to take pictures of it. Other than that, he’s driving an SUV with “enough from for the turntables and stuff.” This got us back to talking about DJing...* *When you’re DJing, what is your favorite kind of set to spin?* Well, before I started doing TV here in Phoenix, I had a residency in Las Vegas...I did Sundays at Planet Hollywood for a little over a year... and that really made me fall in love with open format sets. Having to get people from all over the world to dance to all kinds of music is very much a challenge, but when it’s done right, it’s the best feeling ever! I think it shows a DJ’s ability to read a crowd too...that’s a skill many DJs never fully develop. It’s easy to go play
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House music to a House crowd, or Hip Hop music to a Hip Hop crowd, but try to get people from all walks of life...some who can barely speak English to sing “Livin’ on a Prayer!” at the top of their lungs! To me, that’s the best kind of set to pull off. * * ** *We arrived at the shoot where Ramses was joined by fashion stylist Brian J Swan of Right Hand man Image Consulting who proceeded to dress and style him in all black to match his car and the mural...* *Valentine’s day is coming up...any special plans?* Well, money is the love of my life, so I’ll probably be somewhere cultivating my longstanding relationship with the almighty dollar (laughter). *Well, besides money, what is it that wakes you up in the morning?* Um...what a good question! Wow... well, I feel like I’ve been given resources and opportunities that most people don’t get, so I never felt like any of this was mine to own. I’m trying my best to use everything to create a template. I’m leaving huge footprints in which anyone with a little bit of drive can follow. I also have the desire to make the world a better place for marginalized people...women, minorities, gay, whatever. We can’t all be born straight, White, healthy, Christian men, so in my own little way, I try to make the world a better place for all of us (laughter)...and that’s not the politically correct answer! Do some homework and you’ll see I’m telling
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the truth! *As Ramses was being dressed for his final look, the conversation turned to his support system...* I have had lots of support over the past 10 years or so...I know I’m going to forget some people, but I can say everybody at my station...Fred, Mallace, B. Rose, Pokafase, Mattlocks! The list goes on...Corina, Chilly, Squeeker, La, Snake, my whole CBS fam, Magic, Fel, Mikey, Jon Jon, Thommen...of course, Bruce St. James... Deonne McBean...everybody...My producers at channel 3 Steph and Charlene...the most beautiful team in television, Lisa, Suzanne and Kyle...usually when I forget to shout people out, I have to buy them lunch or something (laughter). I’m probably going to be broke after this...there’s so many people who have helped me and supported me! *But the good thing is that now you’re helping and supporting other people...like paying it forward!* Exactly! Jesus, Dr. King, Ghandi, all these guys made history with the good things they did for other people. If I live a life that has even a fraction of the positive impact that these people did, I will consider the story of Ramses Ja a good one. *I couldn’t agree with him more...after all, you’ve read it up to this point!*
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“My life story is written in ink.� Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Willow Rayne has been a tattooed model in Phoenix for three years. In spite of obstacles, Willow has learned to hide her scars, let her losses be, and continue to build mountains.
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She got her first tattoo spontaneously at the age of fifteen in downtown Chicago, learning early on the value of a quality and meaningful tattoo. That tattoo has since been covered up by a larger design. Since then, she has inspired designs that symbolize her story of triumph over sadness and defeat.
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In addition to modeling, Willow is grateful to have a great career that she loves. She works as an emergency critical care registered nurse and instructor. Most of her nursing is spent on an ambulance, but she also works at a local emergency department and teaches at a local university. Her career goals are to pursue
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helicopter flight nursing this year as well as join the editorial team of a tattoo magazine. Willow is also the proud mother of two adorable children, Gavin (age 8) and Madison (age 3). She is most grateful for the amazing people and friends that have crossed her path and stayed by her side with unrelenting support.
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