ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 315: BARSTOOL'S "KFC RADIO" Feat. Kevin Clancy On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Kevin Clancey (@KFCBarstool) from @BarstoolSports’ @KFCRadio with guest host @DJGoldFingerNYC. KFC talks about getting his start at #BarstoolSports (4:24), launching #Barstool's first ever podcast @KFCRadio (8:10) and being a diehard New York Hip-Hop Head (14:10). Goldy reminisces on the most legendary @Hot97 #SummerJam performances (17:45) and the fellas debate “The Big 3” rappers from different era's (29:33). @DJCrooked compares the current J. Cole (@RealColeWorld), Drake (@ChampagnePapi) and @KendrickLamar beef to #GameofThrones (37:14) and the crew talk about some of the best rap beefs of all time (1:11:50). Finally, KFC explains how he deals with the comment sections on socials (1:28:11) and breaks down some of the best #Barstool sports beefs (1:41:01). This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ's, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code "ROAD". If you're in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!

Episode 314: THE BEAT JUNKIES Feat. J.Rocc + Mr. Choc + Melo-D On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome LA’s finest crew J.Rocc (@JRocc210), Mr. Choc (@TheRealMrChoc) and Melo-D (@DJMeloD) from @TheBeatJunkies with special guest host @EddieMacLV. The crew talk about bringing The Beat Junkies to Las Vegas’ @OnTheRecordLV for Eddie’s birthday celebration (1:55). The Beat Junkies speak on the importance of teaching how to DJ on vinyl at their school @BeatJunkiesIOS (08:45) and Mr. Choc shares feeling as though he’s taught everyone after 19 years of being an instructor (15:30). J.Rocc discusses the 20 anniversary of The Beat Junkies (20:01) and reveals that @DrDre is one of his biggest radio DJ influences (35:20). J.Rocc admits that his crew makes him nervous at gigs (1:11:33) and Mr. Choc explains how his crew and DJ Muggs (@DJMuggs_The_Black_Goat) helped him out of his dark time after leaving radio (1:33:20). Finally, J.Rocc admits that he was hesitant to add new members to the crew at its inception (1:49:29).

Episode 313: "30 Years of Hip-Hop & Friendship" DJ RIZ + DJ ECLIPSE On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York Hip-Hop Legends DJ Riz (@DJRizNYC) and DJ Eclipse (@DJEclipseRSC) with special guest co-host Brooklyn’s Finest @DJGoldFingerNYC (From #BeatstreetRecords). They discuss their 30 years of friendship (1:27), the importance of New York underground hip hop college radio shows like @StretchAndBobbito (8:10) and explain why HomeBase in the 90's was Riz's favorite club to DJ in NYC (12:30). Eclipse speaks on @FatBeats being the mecca for underground hip-hop (15:10) and Riz talks about his infamous ‘Live From Brooklyn’ mixtape (41:30). Riz explains how the @CrooklynnClan party breaks were developed from his quick-mixing DJ sets (1:02:10) and the fellas share how their @SiriusXM show @RapIsOuttaCntrl started 15 years ago with @DJPremier (1:38:01). Eclipse believes @Serato is a retirement package for DJs that have paid their dues (1:49:10) and explains how 9/11 was the turning point in NYC for @FatBeats and New York nightlife (2:19:40). Finally, Riz and Eclipse share what they have enjoyed most about DJ’ing throughout their extensive careers (2:33:00).

Episode 312: DJ R-TISTIC “The Millennial D-Nice" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome LA’s finest @DJRtistic with special guest host DJ Spydatek (@Spydatekzilla). R-Tistic speaks on mega nightclubs in LA disappearing (1:22) and being called the millennial @DNice (7:10). The fellas debate R-Tistic’s previous tweet about Hip-Hop Mixers vs EDM Mixers (12:55) and @DJCrooked clarifies ROAD’s reel about DJs missing canceled artists’ music (39:20). Finally, R-Tistic speaks on his past experience DJ'ing #Diddy's large celebrity events in LA and getting denied access to Puffy's private “Club Love” room (50:01).

Episode 311: RICK WONDER “The Hardest Working DJ in NYC” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York’s finest @RickWonder (with special guest co-host @ChachiOfficial + @MartyRock). Rick speaks on getting his start in DJ’ing 22 years ago (1:45) and talks about being a one man band with his social and digital marketing skills (18:00). @DJCrooked expresses his belief that editors are saving DJs when it comes to new music (30:00) and the crew debate whether open format is dying in the clubs (43:00). The group share past horrible gig micro-managing stories (59:00) and finding spaces where they are valued for their talent (1:06:00). Finally, Rick shares his favorite rooms to DJ and nerve wrecking situations during his sets (1:27:01).

Episode 310: JCU3 "How The Kardashian Curse Affected Latin Music" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome LA’s finest @Jcu3. Jcu3 speaks on growing up Salvadorian in South Central Los Angeles (01:45), DJ’ing while being enlisted in the United States Army (@USArmy) and wishing he could play more Eastcoast Latin Music on the Westcoast (14:00). The fellas talk about how new music in Hip-Hop and Reggaeton aren’t in high demand (16:20), debate Spanglish microphone game at Latin Music themed parties (24:00) and discuss Jcu3 being typecast as solely a Latin DJ. Jcu3 credits the @BadBunnyPR #KardashianCurse for a decline in Latin parties (50:00) and insists that Latin people don’t buy bottles or like spending money at the club (52:00). Finally, the crew discuss some current trending reggaeton crossover songs (1:14:15).

Episode 309: DJ NEIL JACKSON: "Most Likable DJ On The Eastcoast" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome New York’s finest @NeilJackson. Neil speaks on being from LA and living in NY (1:57) and DJ’ing cypher battles in Pomona running into Will.i.am (@IAmWill), @ThePharcyde, and @DJVice in the early 2000s (6:45). @DJCrooked talks about record lugging problems (13:55) and the cab driver racism issues that plagued NYC in the late 90s (18:55). Neil remembers being the “On Call DJ” early in his career (32:01), speaks on New York being busier post-pandemic (46:00) and breaks down the difference between the Manhattan and Brooklyn nightlife scenes (56:01). The crew discuss how the younger generation of DJs are playing in a true open format style (1:04:00). Finally, Neil talks about his coffee company @BRLCoffeeco (1:26:01).

Episode 308: MOJAXX "The Bill Nye Of DJ Tech" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome UK’s finest and one of the most recognizable voices in DJ tech for @DJCity @BeatsourceOfficial, @Mojaxx. Mojaxx opens up about his incredible weight loss journey (2:10), explains why @PioneerDJGlobal launched #AlphaTheta with their wireless, bluetooth #OmnisDuo controller (7:10) and shares his honest opinion when reviewing tech (15:23). He expresses his disdain for early "Stems" programs (24:00), his take on the worst piece of DJ equipment (51:00) and challenges the worst era for DJ technology (1:00:00). Mojaxx talks about taking pride in being a great local resident DJ (1:17:00), explains why he started creating DJ tech review videos (1:21:55) and his process for creating videos out of the @DJCityUk offices (1:30:00). Finally, he speaks on the poor economic climate of the nightlife industry (1:37:00) and the current rate problem for UK DJs (1:53:01).

Episode 307: DJ CHACHI "Artist Management vs DJ Agencies" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew welcome New York’s finest DJ/Producer and co-owner of @4AMNYC, @ChachiOfficial with guest and CEO of 4AM @MadBack. Chachi speaks on his career in the early 2000s with residencies at mur.mur Mondays in Atlantic City and Stereo and Tenjune in New York City (02:55). He explains how he followed his Father's financial advice as a young DJ and invested in @ShrineFoxwoods (23:01). Chachi remembers learning from other older DJ’s mistakes (33:55) and discusses the unstable financial income of being a DJ (1:03:00). He talks about @TheChainsmokers being on the original #4AM roster and taking over the operations at the company with @MadBack (1:12:45). Chachi discusses wanting to do the right thing for DJs with #4AM (1:41:55) and breaks down the difference between his artist management company vs other DJ agencies (2:00:00). Finally, Chachi addresses never having “the cool factor” to get booked in certain cities (2:03:24).

Episode 306: MAD SKILLZ "The Go-To Voice For Hip-Hop" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew bring back Grammy nominated-songwriter, ghostwriter, rapper and DJ, Mad Skillz (@SkillzVA). Skillz speaks on @BustaRhymes’ encouragement during his @BETAwards ‘Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Wrap Up’ (8:45), explains ‘Sync Approval’ in the music business (13:55) and warns young writers and record producers of predatory publishing deals (22:01). Skillz speaks on partnering with @Nas & @MassAppeal for the “Hip Hop Till the Infinity” installation currently in LA till March 18th 2024 (29:20) and breaks down his current projects including his EP ‘The Bop Gods’ and his spoof group “Nodeci” (35:56). Finally, the fellas debate when R&B changed from ‘I Love You’ energy to it's current ‘F*** You!’ toxicity (48:00).

Episode 305: ESENTRIK On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome famed New York Remixer, Editor, Producer & DJ @Esentrik. Esentrik speaks on his early career, getting his 2011 ‘Over’ Drake edit (@ChampagnePapi) featured on @OVOSound’s blog (2:01) and being inspired by #TheNeptunes’ @ChadHugo, a fellow Filipino-American producer/musician, to start DJing (9:21). He talks about his love for early 2000's pop music (25:55), how he met @DJBenzi (33:02) and formed the EDM DJ duo @WeAreTWRK (40:36). Esentrik gets candid about producing his viral remix of @Beyonce’s “Cuff It X Wetter” (48:55), encountering another "DJ" attempting to claim his remix (1:00:00) and getting the call from #Beyonce’s camp to make the remix official (1:06:20). He remembers feeling famous while #TWRK was touring all over the world (1:20:00) and recalls his “dark days” feeling lost after TWRK ended (1:30:00). Esentrik explains how he regained his confidence after seeing DJs playing his edits on @Twitch during the pandemic (1:34:16) and gaining support from celebrities including @SnohaAlegra @JanetJackson @SZA (1:53:54). Finally, he speaks on the nick name “Ego-sentrik” ( 2:17:01).

Episode 304: BRYAN-MICHAEL COX On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Grammy Award winning record producer, songwriter and DJ @BryanMichaelCox.Bryan speaks on the excitement of @Usher landing the @NFL #SBVIII #AppleMusicHalftime show and how he predicted #Usher being chosen (04:32). He reflects on his early career from making 20-25 songs with Jagged Edge (@Official_JE) in 3 weeks (12:55) to his iconic first year working with @Aaliyah, @ToniBraxton, @JermaineDupri and @MariahCarey (17:00). Bryan remembers working with a young @DestinysChild @Beyonce in high school (30:10) and states that he believes church is missing from R&B music nowadays (50:01). He talks about being on @Diddy’s #MakingTheBand helping form @DanityKane and @Day26 (1:04:12), the process of writing Usher’s #Confessions album (1:13:01) and how 2001 was a fun "party year" that inspired records like Jagged Edge’s ‘Where the Party At’ and Nivea’s (@ThisIsNivea) ‘Don’t Mess with My Man’ (1:33:04). Finally, Bryan opens up about feeling pressured to make EDM records during the EDM era in the early 2000’s (1:41:00).

Episode 303: DJ ENUFF On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas are back with legendary New York DJ, Producer and @Hot97 radio personality @DJEnuff (with special guest co-hosts @DJGoldFingerNYC + @DJQuiz). Enuff acknowledges that New Yorkers put him at odds with @FunkFlex (2:01), speaks on @KoolDJRedAlert getting him his first radio mixer job at KISS FM (10:01) and revisits Doug E. Fresh (@TheRealDougEFresh) warning him about burning headliners (19:11). He explains hip hop radio politics and why @Power1051 was created as competition for @Hot97 (32:01). Enuff reminisces on Biggie (@TheNotoriousBIG) giving him an advanced copy of his debut album “Ready To Die” (39:01), almost turning down being Big’s tour DJ (44:00) and producing songs like the “Get Money Remix” and “Nobody Till Somebody Kills You” (51:55). He speaks on Jessica Rosenblum (@JRosenblum1) forming the “Flip Squad DJs” (1:09:42) and talks about creating his own DJ crew @TheHeavyHitters (1:14:01). Enuff admits to blaming hip hop for Biggie’s death (1:26:01) and shares some of Hot97’s #SummerJam’s most controversial moments (1:44:01). Finally, Enuff opens up, sharing how proud he is of his son and @IceSpice’s main producer @RiotUSA (1:47:01).

Episode 302: Remembering DJ Neva (#Neva4Eva) On this week’s special episode of the @RoadPodcast, @DJCrooked and @JaimeDaGreat are joined by @DJNeva’s older sisters Sean (pronounced "seen"), Marion and his niece Nicole, along with his close friends @EddieMacLV and @DJSeanPerry in remembrance of their beloved co-host Evan "Neva" Boyd aka Black Panda who passed suddenly in Nov. 5th, 2024. Crooked discusses the timeline and events that led to Neva’s unfortunate passing (01:50). Sean and Marion reminisce on Neva’s childhood, taking him to the park jams during the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx (14:15), explain how he developed his music encyclopedia knowledge (26:11) and pursued his dream to be a Club DJ full-time (31:40). They share their proudest moments of their brother (54:50) and talk about how his name DJ Neva came about (1:11:02). Crooked speaks on the new phrase “Neva Would’ve Wanted Us To” (1:37:01) and Sean Perry reflects on how many doors he broke down for minority DJs in New York and Vegas (1:40:02). Finally, the group talk about Neva’s unmatched room reading skills (1:42:40) and answer the question: “if you could, what would you want to tell Neva right now?” (2:00:51).

Episode 301: DJ MARS “ATL Royalty” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Atlanta's finest @DJMars404. Mars discusses being @Usher's show in Las Vegas (09:23) and how he handles the pressure of huge celebrities being in the crowd (15:01). He sheds light on the talent that attended #ClarkAtlantaUniversity (@CAU1988) in the 1990's (29:01) and breaks down the sound of an Atlanta DJ (38:01). Mars speaks on how bottle service changed the dance culture in ATL nightlife in the 2000's (43:01), explains the difference between “Snap Music” and “Crunk Music” (47:01) and shares how quickly his radio co-worker “Chris Lova Lova” aka @Ludacris rose to fame after 'What's Your Fantasy' dropped (1:01:02).  He explains why he's had so much success touring with huge R&B artists (1:08:05) and shares the story of how he missed out on being @Outkast's first tour DJ (1:17:55). Finally, Mars addresses hookah bars taking over Atlanta (1:27:01).

Episode 300: DJ KEVIN SCOTT “My Friend DJ AM” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Orange County’s finest @DJKevinScott (curator of @DJAMLives). Kevin recounts his legendary pool parties in the 2000's (1:21), speaks on his musical beginnings with his first vinyl pressings (11:01), and remembers first meeting #DJAM (21:30). He talks about the creation of #Deckstar (43:55) and the barriers DJ AM broke with his TV/Movie collaborations (48:21). Kevin explains how he became responsible for @DJAMLives (57:01), speaks on how the documentary ‘As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM’ came together (1:02:00) and breaks down the newly unreleased documentary footage launching in 2 parts: “The Artist” focusing on AM's DJing and “The Addict” deep diving into Adam's addition (1:05:45). He details the aftermath of the AM and @TravisBarker South Carolina plane crash and discusses how the @MTV show “Gone Too Far” effected AM (1:22:44). Finally, Kevin reveals his up-and-coming app for DJs (1:39:20) and spills on who has DJ AM’s laptop today (1:55:56).

Episode 299: “DJ Twitter Ridiculousness” Feat. TRAYZE + SPYDATEK On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back acclaimed DJs/Producers/Editors @Trayze and @SpydaTekZilla. The crew discuss the oversaturation of Amapiano edits being released (06:10) and Spydatek shares his reluctance to launch a Patreon right now (10:02). Crooked and Trayze discuss the production process for their “Play Bad Bunny” party break (18:51) and the fellas review some recent “DJ Tweets” that went viral in the community (42:40).

Episode 298: EDDIE MCDONALD "Anderson .Paak's Vinyl Curator" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back owner/founder of @MacAgencyLV and Vinyl Curator for @DJPee.Wee, Las Vegas's finest @EddieMacLV. Eddie explains his role on the road as a "Vinyl Stylist" for @DJPee.Wee (04:01) and shares some of the transporting issues for a Vinyl DJ in 2023 (23:43). He explains how @Anderson._Paak started spinning with him at the @SilkSonic afterparties at @OnTheRecordLV (37:23) and how he balances operations at @MACAgencyLV while on the road with Pee Wee (1:00:02). Finally, Eddie talks about launching the first vinyl DJ agency “Mac Vinyl Collective” under the Mac Agency umbrella (1:15:10).

Episode 297: DJ BELLA FIASCO "The LA x NY Connection" On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome back LA’s finest @BellaFiasco. The crew discuss regional DJ’ing and Bella questions if there is any room for West Coast DJs in New York (3:12). Bella speaks on the inspiration behind her 444 party (23:02), addresses a controversial tweet @DJCrooked brings up (37:44), and shares a nightmare headliner story from earlier in her career (1:00:23). Finally, the squad wonder if main character syndrome is to blame for their negative experiences with new openers (1:13:25) and speak honestly about therapy (1:40:03).

Episode 296: The New Face Of Las Vegas On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas break down Las Vegas’ hotels getting hacked (0:55) and speak about @LifeIsBeautiful (7:01). @DJNeva realizes he needs to work on his @Serato face (5:20) and @DJCrooked gives flowers to @DJGoldfingerNYC’s set at @VIBEMagazine's "30th Anniversary" party in NYC (18:10). The crew speak about @FlavorFlavOfficial bum-rushing the DJ booth (33:46) and deep dive into @Usher performing at the @NFL's 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show (51:05). Finally the crew debate who produced better #JayZ records between @Timbaland and @Pharrell (55:01) and Neva and Crooked exchange drunken war stories (1:03:50).