Issue #49- Respect The DJs ft Tony Neal

This Month in Ford Ent Mag:

Ford Johnson Publishing

Creative Director

SAMORE TOP 5

Rachelle Ford

Writers Ladychelle

05 SPINMASTER

VIANI: ARTIST OF THE MONTH 06 JR

Ford Johnson Publishing

Publisher

MUSIC 04 D J

Owned & Operated by

DJ Samore

Music Director Spinmaster Viani

BE SNAPPIN

07 DJ FLIP 08 DJ ROYALE 09 DJ CEASE 10 DJ YERP 11 DJ JOKER 12 DJ STEVE WOODZ 13 DJ SAMORE 14 TONY NEAL 16 BIGGA RANKIN 18 DJ DEMP 19 DJ KO 20 DJ KP 20 DJ BLACK ENT 22 DJ TIGER 22 DJ N4

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INDIE PICKS 1.Young Niyah Hit Em 2. Kissie Lee It Pours 3. Chivonne Saywhat Thinking of Me 4. Atl Bizness Hobb Anthem 5. Jhonni Blaze Bad Woman 6. Grey Smoke One 7. BigZayMiami | Zoey Dollaz | Ali Coyote All Night 8. New Yonkaz Gang Gang 9. Lil Donald Do Better 10. Project Girls Club Run Up IF YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THIS SEGMENT, SEND YOUR TRACK TO URBANENTRADIO@GMAIL. COM PUT FORD INDIE SPOTLIGHT IN SUBJECT TO BE CONSIDERED.

1 2 3

ELLA MAI Boo’d Up

We look at what’s hot on the radio according to Mediabase/BDS Soundscan, the streets, and Dj Samore, and what she feels is that next hot record. Most of the time when she says it’s a hit, it’s a hit!

Spotlight Tracks DRAKE Nice For What

MIGOS | DRAKE Walk it like I Talk It

cardi b I Like It

4

5

Childish Gambino This is America

Lil Dickey Chris Brown Freaky Friday

SCOTTY ATL Ratchet

For more on the Urban Experience and DJ Samore, Check out Sourbanentertainment.com, Da One Radio on Dadecountyradio.com (over 40k loyal listeners on the radio station, monitored Byradiowavemonitor.com)

Loko Lou The man behind the music, Spinmaster Viani, has selected Loko Lou as his Artist of the Month for his song “No Justice No Peace” based of off flow, skills, and the overall passion you can hear through every verse.

Visit www.Fordentmag.com to check out the track.

In addition to Artist of the Month, Loko Lou also wins a year subscription of Ford Ent Magazine, a music video and a photoshoot.

To submit your music for review, submit “clean” songs to Musicreviews@fordentmag.com

JR Be Snappin Your name alone, when you introduce yourself tells us that you be snappin, tell us about your skills.

I actually got the name from the first person I recorded with, my producer Diverse, up in Clarksville, TN. I didn’t know what to name myself. Junior’s been my name since I was a baby, that’s what every body’s called me; since I looked just like my pops. My producer was like “you’re always snappin, on every song.” My whole first mixtape, I rapped non-stop for however long the beat was, 5 minutes, no hooks no nothing, just snappin. So he was like: “you know what? I’m just gonna call you Jr be Snappin.” I was like “bet” and the name kinda stuck.

That’s something you don’t get to see a lot nowadays, someone who can ride the whole beat without a hook, what are some of the stuff you touch on when you’re snappin?

I’m an Aries, and we’re the number one Zodiac. We’re very cocky people, so I do a lot of bragging and boasting. But then also, if I target somebody, I shred them; shred em so bad, they can’t come back. Or I sometimes rap about this life and my childhood, because it was rough coming up in downtown Miami, where I was born and raised. And really I just address issues; kinda like Comedians, and how they use laughter to steer you a certain way or get you to think about things using laughter. I do the same thing with music. It’s an art form.

You’ve mention that you started rapping back in 2016, was that when you kicked things off as a music artist or when you started writing?

That was when I first started rapping. August 2016 is when I first started writing. I’ve been freestyling since I was 17 years old, I’m 25 today. I just started writing music and doing videos and actually considering making music professionally.

And since then, how many projects have you dropped?

I believe 5. I did Aries, I did Aries Slip side, I did Purple Beam, and then I did New King. And now my 5th album that will be out in June is called Saturated City.

What’s the most amazing thing that has happened to you so far in your music career?

Moving to Atlanta. I used to have to fly here or drive here, last minute from Miami because people will call me telling me I needed to be in town this weekend, or I need to be here for this or to meet somebody, and it wasn’t very efficient. It was a waste of money and time. So I was like, I might as well move here if I’m going to take this music serious; and ever since I got here, I met DJ Pressure, he’s actually Yung Scoota’s official DJ with Black Migo Gang, and I’m underneath DJ Pressure; so I’m around all these rappers, these celebrities, he’s taking me from club to club, I’m out here doing things on my own at Clark Atlanta. I’m actually in College and one of the most popular boys on campus. When I perform, the whole school cheers, I love it.

How was that decision to move for your career?

That was a big decision because

I’m born and raised in Miami, all my family is in Miami. So coming up here to Atlanta with no relatives, I mean I’m grown, but it’s just different. And I’m used to being on my own, I was in the military for four years, so I’ve lived far away from home. But even there, I felt like I had the government. Here, there’s no cushion, if I fall nobody picks me up, I have to catch myself. It was trying to get my mind ready to take on an entire city by myself, so I had to get prepared for that mentally, but I’m here, and I’m winning.

Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you feel is important for people to know about you?

Not really, I’m an Aries. I really come from nothing. Aries is my zodiac, so I’m always repping that.

And as far as my childhood, I spent my whole life in downtown Miami; people say they really came from nothing, but I really did. My mama was a junkie, and we were homeless most of my childhood; I was one of those kids you see on tv, no shirt, no shoes, dirty little boy. The fact that I came this far is a miracle. Every time I take a look at myself, I don’t know how I got here.

Where does your name (Dj Flip) originate from?

My origins are, I’m Filipino, and I had step sisters who called me Flip; I heard that from a young age, and I was like “Flip. It’s something about Flip.” And when I turned 18 and became a DJ, I called myself DJ Flip. I’m originally from Rockville Maryland, DMV. That’s where my roots came from, but I was raised here in the 239, mostly all my life.

And I know you’re doing a lot of work, a lot of traveling; tell us what kind of DJ you are and what type of work you’re doing?

I’m more than just a DJ. I work with a lot of major labels; I do A&R, and I do artist management. I meet and greet with a lot of people, and connect the dots. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Living in a smaller city like Ft Myers, you get a lot of people who hold on to locations and venues and don’t give the DJ a chance to bring his rankings up. So I started thinking outside of the box and going to different locations, meeting DJs who are on the radio stations and build my network that way. What I’ve been doing for the past few years was staying lowkey, behind the scenes.

Working with other labels, seeing what they need help with, working with other artists, seeing what they want to do and give them the directions to get them where they need to be at.

dj flip

What do you look for in an artist?

It’s not about their rapping skills, it’s not about who they are, it’s about you knowing the business.

What can you do other than rap?

You’re the product, and you have to sell pretty much yourself. Can you sell records? Can you sell clothing? Can you interact with the crowd? Can you interact with kids?

Can you interact with the younger generation? Because we don’t have a lot of good city influencers.

What I look for is the right artist that are city influencers, the ones that one to move forward with their career, the ones who can adapt to anything and everything.

How long do you usually spend watching an artist? What is your interview process?

When I observe an artist, I watch everything they do on social media. I watch everything they do from performing, to how they talk on social media, to how they act around people, and what they do in their daily lives other than social media. Can they go out to another city and do what they have to do?

I meet them, and I give them a 30-day trial. I see what they want to do, where their heads’ at, their passion, where their vision’s at, and I go forward with them. Usually, if they’re not ready for the next level, I reserve them. I don’t put them on the back burner, but I wait until they change up, until they’re ready for that next level.

A lot of artists claim to be ready for the next level. Give me three characteristics you look for in artists that tell you they’re actually ready.

Where their mind, their spirit, where they’re at in life. I pretty much have to feel that they’re ready for it. They have to be humble, that’s the one main thing. If you’re not humble, and unable to meet somebody that I can bring you to, for example, a label, and they act all cocky and claim to be the best, I cut them. Humble is the one main key. Your image, your visuals. Are you a thuggish kind of rapper? Or are you an international type of artist who can be presented, not just in America, but across the world, Australia, Europe, etc... I need to see where your visuals are at and your marketing skills. Third, is your music. Your music has to be done properly. I can’t deal with the ones who take Youtube rips and says “hey, I made a song, and it’s hot.” I need someone who knows how to work the crowd, knows how to distribute it, have the rights to it, have your BMI, your ASCAP, whatever is it, ready for that step.

Because when I bring an artist to a radio station or a label, they’re going to ask them, where’re your numbers at? Your YouTube? Your SoundCloud? Your Spotify? They have to be ready on every type of platform.

IG: FlipdaPlug Flipdaplug@gmail.com

Go ahead and tell us your name and introduce yourself.

It’s your boy Royale as in the city; I’m a DJ Producer, Engineer, the list goes on as far as things that I do. I’m a jack of all trades. Not only do I do a little bit of consulting with artists, but I also provide a bit of management, support for a select few that I feel deserves that attention and they’re doing the work that needs to be done to take them to the next level. I’m all over the place with music; I love music, I listen to music, I promote music, it’s my life, it’s everything.

Tell me how you got started in that field?

When I was 12 years old, I specifically remember this memory; I was 12 years old driving down the highway with my mom, I grew up in Miami, so I was listening to Power 96, and I remember hearing Eminem “Lose Yourself” and when I heard the lyrics, it really spoke to me in regards to not letting opportunities slip by, and you only got one chance, don’t miss your chance to blow. Those words just spoke to me, and I just knew in that instance that I wanted to work with music for the rest of my life. I started DJing when I was 15, right here in the 239; and then as a high school senior, I became an intern for 1055 The Beat, which then turned into a producer position. I was producing the afternoon show, which was Scrappy’s show, I became his show producer back in 2007. And then from there, I moved to Orlando, did the whole Full Sail thing, got my knowledge,

dj royale

got my experience and I’ve traveled to Orlando, New York, back down to Florida, now I’m at Fly 98.5. I’m still producing an afternoon show. And not only that, but I’m also one-half of the flyboys on Friday nights. I’m actually on air on Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 3 am.

How does an artist catch your attention?

I think the most important thing that artists need to do is establish a genuine relationship. It’s getting to understand the person you want to work with, collaborate with, and network with. If an artist just hits me up in my DM and says “I got this fire track,” I’ve already heard that statement multiple times.

But if a person genuinely wants to reach out and say “hey man listen...” they introduce themselves, they explain their goals and their passion and motivation...I’m more inclined to respond to somebody who lays it out on the table rather than “yo check my song out.” I think establishing genuine relationships is what’s most important for artists.

What’s your advice to artists who sorely rely on the digital world or traveling outside of their city to get their music to blow?

I understand people like to use the access they have to the world, but it all starts at home base; if you solidify your home base with your home team, you’re all going to grow. It begins at home then expands to the world. You can’t start off in the world and finish at

home; you have to start at home then reach the world.

What are some of the projects you’re currently working on and how can an artist take part?

The project I’m working on right now is called Independent Day, comes out July 3rd where I will be highlighting all of the 239 artists who are popping; the people that got the buzz. And then on top of that, I’m going to throw some regional acts in the project and then we’re going to do a show later on that month, highlighting 239 artists plus some of the regional guys I have on there. So it’s really about shining some more light on this market, on this scene, reaching out to different people in different areas in the country and letting them know “The 239 is where it’s at! This is the talent we have out here, be on the lookout!”

IG: I_am_Royale

Introduce yourself.

I go by the name of DJ Cease, and I DJ quite a lot. I started off as an EDM DJ doing festivals; I did Zombicon the last two years, Glowhard, I’ve done quite a lot of clubs, private venues, resorts, a little bit of everything. Anywhere I get booked for my services, I’m on board with it. Right now, I’m working on quite a few stuff. I got a couple of events going on outside of the city. I’ve been focusing a lot, I’m trying to get our name out, outside of 239. I think it’s important for everybody to know how much talent we have out here and how many outstanding artists we have in the 239; so I’ve been focusing a lot on doing stuff out of town. I get booked quite a lot locally as well in the clubs.

A lot of the DJs from this area that I’ve spoken to have the same idea in mind, the goal being to get the local music out of this area. How do you choose what artists to work with?

That’s funny that you mention that, one of the most important things is professionalism. I want to see somebody who will invest in their craft. I want to see somebody who puts an effort because nowadays it’s not enough to have good bars, you have to have the presentation. You have to have an EPK;

dj cease

you have to know the business side of it. Gone are the days that it used to be about the record labels and that being your way in, now it’s no longer like that. Now, it’s more intimate. You can get records broken by just having the right con-

nections and speaking to the right people. So when I decide to work with an artist, I want to see the drive, I want to see passion, I want to see motivation, I want to see enthusiasm, I want to see them wanting to do something.

I don’t part-time what I do, and I don’t want to work with people who part-time what they do either, it’s a waste of both of our times.

A lot of artists minimize the role of the DJ, being that the world has

gone digital. Do you feel like they are underestimating the DJs? 100%. It’s a very big difference for you to play a cd full of your music and captivate an entire crown and having a DJ who can mix your music with the wave and theme of the night. Any DJ will understand exactly what I’m talking about. When you mix something into your set, the reach is more organic rather than trying to stuff your music down someone’s throat. As a DJ we get that opportunity to be an unbiased reviewer, we play a song because we like it and it’s not like we’re pushing the artists, it lets people know that it’s something that we think they should listen to. And I think they’re a little more susceptible to listening when it comes from a DJ, as opposed to coming from an artist.

What are some of your current projects?

I am a guest DJ periodically on 97.7 which is our Latin station here in Ft Myers; I do their Planeta Electro show which is a weekly EDM. I’m currently working at quite a few clubs, but the main thing I’m working on, we have a show called Utopia that we do where we try to bring the best EDM artists in Florida together under one roof. That’s kind of what I’ve been working on now, our big show, our Utopia show. I don’t currently have a lot of details on it.

We’re still working on it.

Tell me about your name.

Yerp the Chef? Basically when I first got the name it was originally DJ Yerp. I got it from when I used to go to school up there in Delaware. Alot of the kids out there kept saying it like a shout out, like ‘Yerp!” basically if you’ve ever watched The Wire on HBO, alot of the northerners would use that word “yerp” as a shout out to get someone’s attention. So if you hear the word “Yerp,” someone is trying to get your attention and focus in that direction. So when I first heard it I was like “Yo if I ever became an entertainer, I would use that name.” So I became a DJ and I named myself DJ Yerp then changed it Yerp the Chef. Chef, being like in Haitian slang. Chef is like boss; so when you hear Yerp the Chef, you’re hearing Yerp the Boss.

First tell me what kind of DJ you consider yourself to be and how did you get started on doing it?

I was a chello player in middle school. And then I got to high school, and had to choose between playing the chello and playing football. So I picked football. But I always loved music, and I started working at the radio station with Blazing 102.3 in Tallahassee when I started attending TC Community College. Long story short, that’s when I started learning the rope of media, and how to become a better DJ or radio broadcaster.

Then I went to Miami and went to school to Scratch DJ Academy; did that for about 12-13 months, then stated working for Slip and Slide on the street team for a year. The type of DJ that I am, would be open format, I can play EDM, trap music,club music, Top 40. Everything but rock music and country.

But I don’t really put myself as “I am a hip hop DJ or I am EDM DJ”, I’m a DJ and I just love music. So anything that has to do with music, that’s what I do, you know?

I know you travel alot, how do you pick your projects or fit DJing into your travels?

went ahead and hit everybody up and asked everybody to “send your music to such and such at gmail dot com” and didn’t get no response. So I switched it up and started searching my own music artists. And if it hit my ears, and it I am a traveling DJ. I like to travel alot and made me bob my head then I meet new people and see new artists and run it. Because Respect the Hustle is mainly different cultures and how people react about making money, not going of topic, just differently from on area to another. So I al- straight making money. So from track one to ways like to interact with other people and track two is about making money. And it’s get their inputs on what music is turning also about motivation; you might hear a them on and stuff and you can’t do that as track about losing it and making it back, but a local DJ. When I was younger, and I first it is always about money. You know what I started DJing, I told myself I would never be mean? I want people to be able to listen a local Dj because Local Djs to me are just to the mixtape, and when they listen, they boring. I always wanted to go beyond just want to make over a thousand dollars that local. I want to be able to go to New York, day. That’s the motivation. and they know who the hell Yerp the Chef is.

The same if I go to Kentucky, they know who So tell me three things that you listen for, Yerp the Chef is. So that’s what my mindset when you are listening to a track to include was always on; to be less of a local DJ, and into your project? more than a traveling DJ. If I can do it in I mainly listen to the beat, the melody, and Naples I can do it in New York. What ever I the hook. Those are the three basic things am doing at home I want to be doing in 3 that I listen to because, I’m a DJ. I can say other cities. I want to keep that energy and this. I’m not mainly a club DJ, but my songs momentum going and be consistant. are mainly club hits. So the first three things that have to catch my attention in the first 5 seconds will be the beat, the hook and the I love that. So what projects are you push- melody. tention. ing?

I actually am doing a show at Clemente Park in Fort Myers on June 23rd with the Dream IG: Roadrunnaz_radio Far Foundation; but my own personal project I am working is that I am going back to my mixtapes, Respect the Hustle. I got a couple projects lined up up for that. I am really trying to connect Georgia and Florida together. I’m trying to bridge that gap and bring in the local artists from Georgia and local artists from Florida and locking them together. So hopefully I can get a nice little bunch from that and keep it going. But right now the only project I am working on is Respect the Hustle Part 6.

Is there any space for more artists to take part or is that project in completion as far as the lineup?

Well when I first started, I was that DJ that

You’ve been DJing for a very long time, yet you’re still fairly young. Take us through your history.

I’ve been DJing since I was, I’m 29, so I was probably about 18 when I got serious. My whole family DJ’s. My uncle used to DJ, so I’ve been in it since a kid.

And what was the crowd reaction?

I was hot shit that day.

When the real DJ got there, they kept asking me if I was going back in. And I told them it was just a favor, that’s were with other DJs or a mix all. But after that night, I got sedone for entertainment type rious with it. thing. “Sorry for the Wait” was my first single mixtape. What Where did you take your career made me get into it? I just wantfrom there? ed for people to actually hear me After that, I came up with the outside of a club setting. In the name, I called myself Joker beclub, you basically have to play cause that name had been with what the crowd wants, you can’t me since Elementary school. I really do what you want to do in think it was my 5th grade teachthe club. I want people to underer who gave me that name for stand that I’m not a playlist DJ. being the class clown. I just kept It’s also another way to get the practicing my craft and letting people to hear the new shit that people know that I was trying I want to drop in the club. What to get in the DJ thing and if they better way for them to get used needed me to let me know. to it then off my mixtape.

How did you get your foot in the door?

I got started on a night when my homeboy was having a Birthday party, and his DJ was late. So I told him that I was practicing, and that I would start the party until the DJ got there. I used my computer speakers, it was one of those computer surround sounds, loud enough to do party with. That was my first party, How do you go about selecting I DJ’d for about 2 1/2 hours that your songs?

If it’s hot, if it rings my ear, 9 night. times out of 10 it will ring someone else’s ear. I just go off the vibe pretty much, what type of vibe that I get. If it’s gonna move somebody else, then I’m with it. I’m not really bias on anything. As long as it sounds like something I’m with it.

How much time would you say you spend on discovering new music?

I’m on mixtape sites all day everyday.

Do you feel like DJs are understimated as far as the role they play in music?

Not as much as they used to be.

People are starting to catch on that DJs are the key to getting them noticed. I really feel like DJs are bigger than these AnRs and all this type of stuff. I feel like we When did you startgive artists more notices than making mixtapes? anything. But it is starting to be Mixtapes are still kinrecognized. da new to me. I’ve only dropped one independent mixtape, IG: DJJoker954 all the other mixtapes

DJ Steve Woodz

How does it feel when people put DJ in front of your name now?

I love it. I think that’s what it’s supposed to have been for a long time now. I think I’m late. I think it’s my calling for real.

Super producer, super artist, super engineer, how did you do the transition to DJing.

I look at myself as the middle man.

I really am a one man army. A musician and pretty much just using my platform. I recorded alot of artists.

Alot of people don’t know, I probably have a catalog of over 300, 350 easy that I’ve recorded in SWFL. And I feel like alot of DJs out here, they’re not in the trenches, they’re not seeing the grind. And I’m seeing it 24/7. This is my business to record and engineer these new younger artists and these dudes are really serious about their craft and I just feel like as big bro, a real OG out here, I feel like I can step up and really push these artists to where they need to be and these platforms and get em signed up on ASCAP and BMI and stuff like that. Being a DJ is my way of giving back.

So you’re seeing a need, you’re seeing that these artists are being overlooked by the DJs, but how do you get their music out?

I think what they’re missing is just putting it on the right platforms. It’s some big platforms that you may have to pay to get on, you have to invest in yourself. And I feel like alot of artists

aren’t doing that. So what I’m doing with my DJing, I’m a mixtape DJ, not a Scratch DJ. I’m a local artist DJ. Hosting mixtapes, and pretty much putting these artists on platforms like mymixtapes, spinrilla, livemixtapes and so on. Things that the artist is not doing on the regular.

They’re just pushing it on soundcloud, facebook, the regular. So I’m just trying to show artists there’s a bigger world out there.

platform, and let’s get it out here. I just dropped 6 mixtapes in a month.

I got 300 artists, I might drop 300 mixtapes and I might drop it this year while you playing. My goal is 30, right now I’m on 6. And we got 6 months left in the year,I feel like I can really do it. I can be the Khaled of SWFL for real.

Are you placing your other hats on hold?

Heck no. I’m a machine and I think As producer you’ve dominated 2018 alot of people are going to see that field, as an artist you’ve dom- that. I ain’t stopping Steve Woodz, inated that field. What kind of Steve Woodz still out here snapfeedback have you receive since ping. It’s going down. announcing that you’re now entering the DJ world?

How does an artist reach out to It’s a couple guys I don’t think you? Or are you only catering to are feeling it, being that I’m not a your area right now? scratch DJ. I’m not taking the turn- They can reach out to me, I have table route. Pretty much the only a website Stevewoodz.com. I got people who’s been showing me an email Bmorewoodz@gmail. love is the artist. They see the vision com. I’m on IG, everything is SteveI’m going for. They see that I wanna woodz. I’m open to work with evhelp. I’m already engineering these erybody. I make beats, I engineer, if artists, and producing their records, you need a DJ to host your project, let’s take it to the next level. Let me I’m your guy. host your mixtape and put it on a

DJ samore It’s your girl Ladychelle with my day one, personal official DJ, DJ Samore!

(Laughs) You’re always working, what you got going on right now?

I’m getting ready for BET, we’re gonna expand the FORD Brand as well as DJ Samore, as you know.

the spotlight, you have to have a dope record and be doing something with it. Doing more and more shows.

in about 3 months. They’re gonna get all the new jams before anybody else. How do you find those jams before anybody else? That’s the DJ/Radio side of me because we always get new music and seeing what’s hot. And the labels, they send music directly to you. And if they’re hot, I’ll go head and introduce it to the people early so when they hear it on the radio, they’ll remember they heard it first with DJ Samore. I know you recently put a record together and got on your DJ Khaled ish, can you tell us about that? Yea, its called “we working”.

I did it some time ago but its finally making noise. Now I’m thinking about remixing it with some more dope artists. It was amazing putting the record together. I’m trying to be on a my female DJ Khaled. If he can do it, I can do it too.

And that’s the thing I can personally say about you is that you are always on the move, you’re always doing something. Give us a little background of yourself as a DJ. We’ve interviewed before, and When and what got you started. discovered that you pretty much do everything. You host mixtapes, I can finally say we’ve been in the you do parties, you do clubs, but game 10 years. It all started at FAU, which one do you love the most? junior year, with my radio show We’re gonna make you pick a side. and then we started DJing on campus. Years later, we on started with Oh wow, to pick a side, it depends 102.3 and was able to learn the proon the day. To be honest with you, fessional side of things from DJing mixtape is what we call Brown pa- to running as a personality and now per bag money, I can do mixtapes we’re looking at bigger and better in one day. I can literally do it at the things. And I know you’ve been in last minute. The mixtape is really the mixtape game heavy, if you’re the easiest thing. But I would say my speaking to someone who’ve nevfavorite would be probably DJing an er checked out one of your mixevent and being on the radio has to tapes, what can they anticipate? IG: ThisisDJSamore be tied. Matter of fact, it has to be They’re gon get whats gonna be hot the clubs, you get to break records in the clubs. Because on radio, it’s kinda of programmed. So I’m going to say DJing in the streets and breaking records.

What projects do you have going on right now?

Right now, I got the What you Know about It (WYKAI) mixtape series going on, I’m a Table Manners DJ, I got that mixtape dropping, I have the DJ Samore Top 5, not just what we feature in the magazine, but I actually got a show where we spotlight independent artists. To be on

Tony Neal

T

ony Neal set out just under a decade ago to change the culture of DJ coalitions across the country and succeeded beyond even his own imagination. His vision was made a reality when he founded the CORE DJs Worldwide. With Tony’s executive leadership, the CORE DJs Worldwide successfully put the responsibility of breaking that fresh new artist, song or genre in music back on the hands of the DJ. Tony Neal began to DJ as a hobby at the age of 15, and has been behind the tables ever since. With a passion for bringing relevance to B & C markets, Core DJs Worldwide has become one of the strongest, most consistant and most recognizable brands in the entertainment industry. The Core DJs Worldwide is more than just a typical DJ crew, it is a solid network, brand and family.

The Core, as it has become known, not only set the trends in music, fashion and lifestyle industries, but sparked the movement of the next generation of DJ crews across the globe. Now in its 11th year, The Core DJs Worldwide is the premier coalition for DJs. Its membership motivation is to empower and educate the core of the music industry--the DJ. The brand has a multitude of the country’s most influential DJs as well as International DJ Talent as official Core DJ members. The primary purpose of what The Core Worldwide is expanded to include the highly anticipated national events throughout the year, Core Hotlists, Core Conference Calls, Core Viral Promotions, Core Models, Core XXXDJs, Core Latinos, and Core Africa. Beginning the Core DJs Worldwide has placed Tony in a position to be one of the most influential people in Hip-Hop as well as, given him an opportunity

to accomplish many goals. Now, the tinue on his quest of innovation co-owner of WNOV radio, co-own- and influence on the world’s view er of RapHD.com, Mixshow DJ for of the DJ. Shade45; KFRH Las Vegas, KREV San Francisco,CA; KRCK Palm Springs, CA; WRVZ Charleston, WV; KSXY Awards & Accolades Santa Rosa, CA; and WFLC Miami, FL. Back to back Source Power 30 - Syndication (over 40​radio Awards (2013 & 2014), seventeen stations/Mixshows) Rap City appearances, four BET 106 - 4x Nominated B.E.T. Awards & Park appearances, panelist on DJ Of The Year BET’s Top 10 - 5x Source Magazine’s Main List Power 30 Award Recipient Rappers of the 21st Century, and - Key To The City of Dallas, TX having accomplished so much - Certificate from The State Of more, he has no plans of an early South Carolina retirement.

- 2002 Midwest DJ of the Year Tony Neal is a regular on Sway in (Mixshow Power Summit) The Morning. He holds the Keys to - Day in his hometown of the Cities of Myrtle Beach, SC, DalMilwaukee, WI las, TX, and Milwaukee, WI. “Being - 10x Diamond Award recipient able to represent the city of Mil- 11x Southern Entertainment waukee and help to provide a platAwards recipient form for emerging talent across the -Black Newspaper Association globe is important,” says Neal, “but Award 2014 my goal is to make sure that DJs are - Longest running Mixshow on treated just as important as they Sirius/XM (Core DJ Radio) used to be, since 2005 everything starts and ends with the - Legends Award from The Nerve DJ”. -Tony Neal DJ’s Tony is well on his way toward - Main DJ on the Tom Joyner Cruise building this legacy. His hometown (2014, 2015) of Milwaukee has already dedicat- - Featured in the film Barbershop 3 ed a day to him, which just happens (April 2016) to be September 14, his birthday.

- Salute The DJ Legends Award In true Virgo fashion he executes a 2016 Virgo Tour that begins and - First Family Of Hip Hop (on Bravo) ends in Milwaukee. Milwaukee featured on show 2017 is his hometown, but he also has -Strathmore’s Who’s Who recipient a key to the city of Dallas, TX and 2009 Myrtle Beach, SC. - Over 40 Core DJ’s Awards NationIt remains to be seen the total imal & International pact Tony Neal will leave on the mu- - The Longest Running Conference sic industry, with his contribution in Urban Music of The Core DJs, but all signs point (The Core DJ’s Retreat) toward greatness! The consistently growing international strength and branding power of The Core DJs Worldwide present an endless opportunity for Tony Neal to con- Courtesy of DjTonyNeal.com

We couldn’t do a Respect The Djs issue and not include the legendary Bigga Rankin! What’s going on with you?

Aww man, just working, just working non-stop. I’ve been holding it down for a while, just out here trying to get it.

You’re legendary in the game. Tell us something about your journey that would surprise us to know.

Well, the whole thing about the mixtape thing, it’s about substance. You can talk all you want, but if you don’t have any substance it’s a whole bunch of hot air. I learned early in the game, if you speak substance, you speak value. If you talk substance pertaining to their life, something they’re going through, something they’re gonna go through, they’ll listen. But if you stay yelling and yelling just because you have a microphone, then people won’t pay attention. It’s alot of people yelling, and alot of people don’t listen. It’s a lot of people that yell, and people do listen becauce there’s some type of morals and values there.

What you’re saying is that there’s an art form to doing this and not just what some people are doing; which is just yelling over the track and hyping it up...correct?

Yes, it’s definitely an art form.

Because it’s like, if a person is doing a cd, I do intros for singles and intros for mix cds. I’m always doing different stuff. I think what it is, you listen to the person and you listen to the concept of their song. And you just have to find the words to match it.

How long have you been in the game?

About 28 years At what point, did it hit you that you were officially in the game?

I was sitting at home one night,

and I was watching BET, and I was watching videos. And I saw about 11 people that I was responsible for breaking their records and help them with their career. I saw these 11 people on tv and was like “Man, this is

Bigga

DJs would work. Straight work.

By having no social media, we worked 3 times as hard as the people working now.

Speaking of the digital age, alot of artists just take their songs and they feel like they can just throw it in the digital world and it would just catch fire. They think they can bypass the role of the DJ. Do you feel like they’re mistaken in that thought?

great. I done bring more people to the finish line then Phil Jackson. I’m really doing something!” To me I was just a DJ, just doing my job, I never really knew that later on you could get paid for content too, I didn’t know later on you could get publishing of certain things you said, I didn’t know any of that stuff. That what makes it so good, because it wasn’t planned. My journey was to break records. I didn’t plan to later on get anything from it.

Because back in the day, there wasn’t any social media, the

I’m not gonna hate, some of the digital platforms are pretty good. Meaning that, at one time you had a record, and you would give it to the DJs and that’s it. Now you have blogs, and all these different platforms. It helps. But at the same time, you still need the DJ because if 5percent of Djs aren’t playing your record, how you’re gonna get booked? Most people who goes to shows are hearing the songs in the clubs not in the radio. Some people will come to your show because the vibe, and how people act crazy when your song comes on in the club. So club goers, go to concerts. That’s just my opinion.

Some of them do. You got more DJs who get more respect because they’re popular.

For now, it’s the age of being popular. You don’t really have to be that good. Just popular. I know alot of DJs who promote better than they DJ. They’re so good on social media, the house is packed. But they can’t hold the people in there because they’re not good DJs. But they’re real good promoters.

You’ve worked with so many different artists. What are three things that tells you this artist is ready to take it to another level?

I like an artist who can pick good beats. Then I like an artist for the way they come on the track. Alot of artists, they’re just born with it, they got that IT factor. When they come on, you just know they’re gonna kill it. And the last thing is, I like an artist who’s focused. Not so much a perfectionist, but a person who hears every little thing that went wrong and comes back and fix it.

www.TeamBiggaRankin.com IG: BiggaRankin00

Do you feel like the Djs get the respect they deserve in this game?

Rankin

What got you into DJing and how did you get your start in radio?

Pretty much having to provide music for the parties I was going to and the different events. And I started radio by being the premiere DJ on a mixshow on a radio station WBFF 89.7FM, college Radio and also doing guest appearances on the FAMU station and I moved up after that.

dj demp

to do. That was more like a stepping stone.

Being able to travel DJing for an artist is different then DJing in a club. It’s a whole concept. Once I did my first one, I knew, that’s what it was.

What advice would you give someone You rented out clubs instead of who was trying to getting hired, what made you take take similar steps as matters into your own hands? you with their DJing When I first started throwing col- skills? lege parties I started noticing my Master your craft. name would be larger on the flyer Know what you’re then the rest of the info. So I start- doing. Go hard and ed thinking they might just need be the best at whatme for my name. So once I figured ever you are doing. that out, I figure the hell with getting paid, I can throw my own par- Tell us about Dempties and get the whole door.

Week. How did you When did you decided to tour as a DJ instead of staying with the radio station?

It wasn’t about staying with the station or not, I started touring around\ 95/96. My first national tour was with GhostTown DJs...

So So Def..I’m a member of Ghost Town DJs. That was in 96.

You have worked with Trick Daddy, Uncle Luke, Juvenile, Lil Flip, David Banner as well as others, what came to mind when you experienced your first tour?

I was thinking, this is what I wanna do, this is the life. Being able to be outside your city and still being able to do what it is that you love

come up with the idea and what sort of events occur during that week?

The thought process started in 96 when I was on tour. It was a celebration. Me celebrating my birthday and coming off of touring. A lot of things made me celebrate.

Another DJ from the city started calling it Demp Week. It wasn’t something that was planned. It just sorta came together because of who I was and the city I was in.

I have all different types of events.

I do stuff for the community, for all age groups. Things to get people involved. I do different events, things people would like I.e. fashion shows, comedy shows, celebrity basketball games etc….Whatev-

er I can fit during my 7 days. We have artist showcases, artist panels, all sorts of different things.

When you are not Djing and traveling all over, what do you like to do as a hobby or to pass the time?

I play a little golf on my chill time.

I like quiet time opposite of my DJ time.

Tell us your thoughts on the importance of the DJ in the music industry.

We’re the ones who gives music to people whether its thru radio or the club. Music moves you and we’re responsible for that feeling people get.

Twitter: @DjDemp Ghostown DJs Core DJs

dj kp Introduce yourself, and tell us what kind of DJ you are. (Mixtape, club, radio etc) What’s up world. My name is DJ KP and I am a conductor of music. I like to think I am all the above. Forever learning and forever growing.

the love I had for Music and said I should go for it and I did.

What fuels your determination to become a success in this field?

At first it was for the love, collective; No. How long have you been a Dj? then it was fueled by the ones I’ve been a DJ now for about 3 who didn’t see my vision, but now years. it’s fuel by my own desire to be a What projects are you currently working on?

CEO of something.

I have a couple local and out of How did you get started in this field?

Do you feel like the DJs get the re- town projects both big and small Well I’ve always been intrigued by spect due to them based on the on working on. Nothing I’m ready to talk about at this moment. the skill sets of DJ’s. You know, like role they play music? knowing what to play, when to play I’m going to say yes & no. All deit and how to play it. It’s art. So long pends on the individual but as a IG: Mr.star69 Snapchat: Black-foot story short a friend of mines seen

DJ BLack ent

Caribbean. I’m an international DJ. I’ve traveled to Toronto Canada, and the Islands. I do mixes that you can find on SoundCloud. I’ve been DJing for 7 years now.

How did you get started in this field?

I got started DJing House party’s in SWFL, then at the at of 17 got my first club.

Introduce yourself, and tell us what kind of DJ you are. (Mixtape, club, radio etc) I’m Dj Black E.N.T and I’m from the Beautiful island of Dominica in the

Do you feel like the DJs get the respect due to them based on the role they play music?

DJs definitely get the respect on the role base on the music they play.

Without us there’s no party.

What projects are you currently working on?

My next upcoming project is 500 Way Vol 2 it’s a mix with Dancehall Hip Hop, and R&B. It’s coming in What fuels your determination to July so be on the lookout. become a success in this field?

The things that fuels me, is getting IG: DJBlackEnt thousands of people on their feet event after event.

www.DjWinn.com

Introduce yourself, and tell us what kind of DJ you are. (Mixtape, club, radio etc) Dj Tiger club / battle Dj for over 10 years.

How did you get started in this field?

I got started at a early age from my mother; believe or not she was a Spanish DJ. I grew up in Miami with a Spanish culture and a Hip Hop background, so Multicultural sounds are very intriguing to me.

What fuels your determination to become a success in this field?

Practice practice and more practice. I’m my worst critic. I’m determined to be different and to stand out.

dj tiger Do you feel like the DJs get the respect due to them based on the role they play music?

Depending on who you are as a person I think you get respected it also depends on where you’re located. But to me it’s more about what you know, not who you know that I respect.

Because you can enter a battle and it’s not about popularity, it’s about skills, scratching, and juggling.

IG: DjTiger305

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working with a local Studio, SMH- Studios social media house. I got a couple of singles we’re trying to push out right now. I’m also DJing in Na-

DJ N4

from Club, house parties, private and corporate parties and more. I play all type of genre of music from Hip-Hop, R&B, Dancehall. Kompa-Zouk, Kizomba- you name it. I’m one of the most respected and the most admired Haitian DJ in Fort Myers.

Introduce yourself I go by the name is Dj N4, originally from Haiti. I’m 35 years old, I’ve been doing this since 97 I’m an all around Dj I’ve done it all

ples at Pelican Larry’s. Just looking to expand elsewhere besides Fort Myers.

What fuels you as a DJ? Well, I love music and I always wanted to learn how to mix. The best feeling about being a DJ is that you get to put a smile on people faces. They get so hype when you’re mixing the right songs. I play for the crowd, I play what the people like.

Do you feel like the DJs get the re-

spect they deserve?

Sometimes we don’t get the respect that we deserve as DJs because sometimes people think it’s easy been a DJ. Like I tell people all the times, being a DJ is not easy because for you to be a good DJ, you have to know and understand music. Anybody can play a track. Like I tell people all the time, there’s people that play music and there’s Dj that mix tracks and make the music feel alive and interact with the peoples.

What projects are you currently working on?

Right now I’m currently working on my photography page coming up real soon, I’m also a photographer check out my page N4tography on Facebook, Google, and Instagram. My DJ page is the DJN4 and SoundCloud is Djnfour-mkuk.

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A Decade in the game It has been an incredible 10 years, in that I Love My Plug and the Plug DJs, have developed and evolved into the premiere, market-leading resource that they are today.

“To be a Plug DJ, to be a Plug period with I Love my Plug, is to know that you’re plugged in to the machine that pushes the culture.

Period, point blank.

The first ten years or so in the game, we were learning and building our brand. These next ten years or so, we’re gonna TAKE OVER…” -DJ Kutt Throat (Co-founder, President & COO)

“I Love My Plug has been woven in the fabric of the Atlanta music culture for over 10 years. From the Rich Kids, to Future we have been hands on with new, groundbreaking music, artist, and videos for the true fans of music. We are ALWAYS first with new music, so log onto iLoveMyPlug. com, and get PLUGGED IN!” -Big Plug (Co-founder & CEO) “It feels great, and very humbling; working hard to see our vision become a reality…I LOVE MY PLUG!!!”

-Money Plug (Co-founder & CFO)

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