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Exclusive Interview With Washington DC’s #1 Urban Station WPGC 95.5 @DJHeatDC Check It Out!
December 31st, 2011
No Labelz Magazine sits down with DJ Heat of Washington DC’s #1 Urban Station WPGC 95.5 Mixer and On-Air Personality, Core Djs Worldwide, Official DJ for Jive Records Artist D.C. Don Juan, Manager for hip-hop artist Pro’Verb and DJ for Showtime Saturdays at The Stadium Club! Check it out!
Q. When Did you decide that you wanted to be a DJ?
A. I first knew I wanted to be a DJ when I was 12 years old. What influenced
me was the “Rump Shaker” remix by Wrecks-N-Effect. It had a lot of
scratching at the end, and I would find myself pretending to DJ every
time I heard that song on the radio. Also that same year, the movie
Juice came out, and everyone knows about the classic DJ battles in that
movie. It got me so amped.
me was the “Rump Shaker” remix by Wrecks-N-Effect. It had a lot of
scratching at the end, and I would find myself pretending to DJ every
time I heard that song on the radio. Also that same year, the movie
Juice came out, and everyone knows about the classic DJ battles in that
movie. It got me so amped.
Q. Explain the DMV music scene and how it is different than any other scene.
A. I feel that the DMV music scene is better than it’s ever been, even
though there is still room for growth. I say it’s better than it’s ever
been because the area is more accepting of rappers and artists are
really developing a fan base in their area. With DC being a go-go town,
back when I was a kid you would get looked at funny if someone told you
that they were a rapper. It wasn’t cool to be a rapper. The only rappers
that were cool were the talkers in the go-go bands. Being a rapper in
this area was not supported as heavy as being a go-go artist in this
area. So that’s one thing that makes the DMV music scene different from
everywhere else. The acceptance of local rappers is still a new concept
to the area, because it only begun to be accepted more in like the last
5-7 years. But now we’re at a point where artists in the DMV are
headlining their own shows and shooting major cinematic style videos,
doing collaborations with big name artists and much, much more.
though there is still room for growth. I say it’s better than it’s ever
been because the area is more accepting of rappers and artists are
really developing a fan base in their area. With DC being a go-go town,
back when I was a kid you would get looked at funny if someone told you
that they were a rapper. It wasn’t cool to be a rapper. The only rappers
that were cool were the talkers in the go-go bands. Being a rapper in
this area was not supported as heavy as being a go-go artist in this
area. So that’s one thing that makes the DMV music scene different from
everywhere else. The acceptance of local rappers is still a new concept
to the area, because it only begun to be accepted more in like the last
5-7 years. But now we’re at a point where artists in the DMV are
headlining their own shows and shooting major cinematic style videos,
doing collaborations with big name artists and much, much more.
Q. How did you start working with 95.5 explain that experience
A. I started at WPGC as an intern doing my junior year of college at Morgan
State University. I was placed with Big Tigger, who at the time was
doing the evening 6-10pm shift. That was a cool experience, because at
the time Tigger was also on Rap City, so it’s like I got to work with
this major hip-hop icon. I got hired right after my internship, and it’s
interesting how that happened. DJ Flexx was filling in for Tigger while
he was away, and Flexx was impressed that he didn’t have to do much
behind the scenes work because I had already learned from Tigger to have
everything ready. Flexx was so impressed that he told the bosses that
they should hire me. So I got hired right after my internship, but I’m
not ashamed to say that a few months later that I got fired. I missed a
mandatory event because I went out of town on a college trip. The
Assistant Program Director told me to see him when I got back, and I was
let go immediately. I was devastated because it was my dream since I
was a kid to work at WPGC. However, like 3 years after I got fired, I
decided to hit up that same person that fired me and ask for another
chance. He gave it to me, and I’ve been blessed to keep my dream job
ever since.
State University. I was placed with Big Tigger, who at the time was
doing the evening 6-10pm shift. That was a cool experience, because at
the time Tigger was also on Rap City, so it’s like I got to work with
this major hip-hop icon. I got hired right after my internship, and it’s
interesting how that happened. DJ Flexx was filling in for Tigger while
he was away, and Flexx was impressed that he didn’t have to do much
behind the scenes work because I had already learned from Tigger to have
everything ready. Flexx was so impressed that he told the bosses that
they should hire me. So I got hired right after my internship, but I’m
not ashamed to say that a few months later that I got fired. I missed a
mandatory event because I went out of town on a college trip. The
Assistant Program Director told me to see him when I got back, and I was
let go immediately. I was devastated because it was my dream since I
was a kid to work at WPGC. However, like 3 years after I got fired, I
decided to hit up that same person that fired me and ask for another
chance. He gave it to me, and I’ve been blessed to keep my dream job
ever since.
Q. Explain your time on the Big Tigga show explain that experience.
A. The experience has been an amazing one. I see Tigger like a big brother,
since I’ve been knowing him for over 10 years starting back to when I
was in intern in the afternoons. He left the station in like 2002 to
pursue other endeavors, but returned in 2007 to do the 2-6pm time shift
and I was right back there by his side. And when he was moved to
mornings last year, I was by his side again. Unfortunately, him and the
station parted ways just a few days before Christmas, so I won’t have
the pleasure of working with him at WPGC anymore. But I’m grateful for
everything that he has taught me and done for me. Again, he is truly
like my big brother. He gets on me when I do something wrong, he gives
me relationship advice, and the best part is that since he’s sponsored
by Nike and Jordan, I get some fresh kicks because we wear the same shoe
size. lol
since I’ve been knowing him for over 10 years starting back to when I
was in intern in the afternoons. He left the station in like 2002 to
pursue other endeavors, but returned in 2007 to do the 2-6pm time shift
and I was right back there by his side. And when he was moved to
mornings last year, I was by his side again. Unfortunately, him and the
station parted ways just a few days before Christmas, so I won’t have
the pleasure of working with him at WPGC anymore. But I’m grateful for
everything that he has taught me and done for me. Again, he is truly
like my big brother. He gets on me when I do something wrong, he gives
me relationship advice, and the best part is that since he’s sponsored
by Nike and Jordan, I get some fresh kicks because we wear the same shoe
size. lol
Q. Top 3 Songs that get the crowd moving.
A. Songs that create a major CROWD reaction
1.“They Know” remix by Shawty Lo with Young Jeezy
2. On it, “Hot Boys & Hot Girls” by Master P, and I’ll drop a go-go
3. classic for the last one, “Sexy Lady” by UCB.
2. On it, “Hot Boys & Hot Girls” by Master P, and I’ll drop a go-go
3. classic for the last one, “Sexy Lady” by UCB.
A. Is there anyone in the game you admire and why?
Q. Probably Jay-Z. His story is just amazing just to see how he flipped his street
business sense into the corporate business. And he’s set so many trends
and influenced the industry so much it’s amazing. He raps about a
throwback jersey, and everyone buys them. He raps that throwbacks are
out and button-ups are in, everyone listens. He says Timberland boots
are out of style, and people stop wearing them. A year later he says
that he’s back to wearing Timberland boots, and everyone is back on
them. It’s unbelievable.
business sense into the corporate business. And he’s set so many trends
and influenced the industry so much it’s amazing. He raps about a
throwback jersey, and everyone buys them. He raps that throwbacks are
out and button-ups are in, everyone listens. He says Timberland boots
are out of style, and people stop wearing them. A year later he says
that he’s back to wearing Timberland boots, and everyone is back on
them. It’s unbelievable.
Q. Name a city you would love to show your skills too.
A. DJing
in one of the major cities in Japan would be dope. They love, admire,
and respect the hip-hop culture so much over there. It would be dope to
spin some classic golden-era hip-hop for the crowds their.
in one of the major cities in Japan would be dope. They love, admire,
and respect the hip-hop culture so much over there. It would be dope to
spin some classic golden-era hip-hop for the crowds their.
Q. What equipment do you use and why?
A. The
foundation of what I use is definitely Serato, which is THE standard
program for DJs. I don’t understand how some DJs can use any other DJ
software. I know everyone has budgets, but using anything other than
Serato is like Apple selling anything other than Macs. lol As far as
turntables, I use both Technics 1200s and Pioneer CDJs. Of course the
1200s are my preference for everyday use. The CDJs are good for club
settings.
foundation of what I use is definitely Serato, which is THE standard
program for DJs. I don’t understand how some DJs can use any other DJ
software. I know everyone has budgets, but using anything other than
Serato is like Apple selling anything other than Macs. lol As far as
turntables, I use both Technics 1200s and Pioneer CDJs. Of course the
1200s are my preference for everyday use. The CDJs are good for club
settings.
Q. Do you think it is hard for women in the DJ/music field and why?
A. Of
course, because in like just about any profession, it’s male dominated.
I do feel that female rappers have it harder than female DJs. As a DJ,
you prove yourself with lots of different skills and that automatically
earns respect from male peers. With the female rappers in the industry, I
see they have to worry about sex appeal, and if they sound like anyone
else, cattiness, etc. You don’t get that issues with female DJs.
course, because in like just about any profession, it’s male dominated.
I do feel that female rappers have it harder than female DJs. As a DJ,
you prove yourself with lots of different skills and that automatically
earns respect from male peers. With the female rappers in the industry, I
see they have to worry about sex appeal, and if they sound like anyone
else, cattiness, etc. You don’t get that issues with female DJs.
Q. Top Music artist prediction for ” 2012 “
A. I’m looking forward to see what some artists that have gotten big off their
mixtapes can do. Like ASAP Rocky, The Weeknd, and Frank Ocean.
Definitely seeing The Weeknd having a big year.
mixtapes can do. Like ASAP Rocky, The Weeknd, and Frank Ocean.
Definitely seeing The Weeknd having a big year.
Q. Top 3 Producers and why?
A. Pete
Rock, Kanye West, and DJ Premier. Pete Rock is nicknamed “Soul Brother
#1″ and is production definitely reflects that. Smooth, jazzy, gritty,
he can do it all. DJ Premier defines hip-hop production to me. His
classics are endless! You can’t think of hip-hop beats without thinking
of Premier. Kanye West levels of production is astounding. He is a true
musician as well as producer. His beats alone can stand as musical
compositions. You can hear so much in what he composes.
Rock, Kanye West, and DJ Premier. Pete Rock is nicknamed “Soul Brother
#1″ and is production definitely reflects that. Smooth, jazzy, gritty,
he can do it all. DJ Premier defines hip-hop production to me. His
classics are endless! You can’t think of hip-hop beats without thinking
of Premier. Kanye West levels of production is astounding. He is a true
musician as well as producer. His beats alone can stand as musical
compositions. You can hear so much in what he composes.
Q. What are your plans for “2012″
A. My
biggest plan is to continue pushing a hip-hop artist I manage by the
name of Pro’Verb. He is a very dope artist. He as an awesome lyricist
that can also construct great songs. I’m also looking forward to getting
my hand into other fields of the music industry such as production and
video. You can just do one thing in this industry. Your passion starts
branching out into things that surround the basis of what you do.
biggest plan is to continue pushing a hip-hop artist I manage by the
name of Pro’Verb. He is a very dope artist. He as an awesome lyricist
that can also construct great songs. I’m also looking forward to getting
my hand into other fields of the music industry such as production and
video. You can just do one thing in this industry. Your passion starts
branching out into things that surround the basis of what you do.
Check Out DJ Heat on
Twitter at @DJHeatDC
Facebook “Like” me at www.Facebook.com/DJHeatDC1 (don’t forget the number 1! lol)
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