ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 48: FATMAN SCOOP The legendary Fatman Scoop sits down with the crew this week. Eddie McDonald joins in as a co-host in place of D-Miles. Fatman Scoop comes through to tell his story of how he came up in Harlem, NY as well as how he got started in the music industry. Before it all he was in line to intern for Puff Daddy at UpTown Records however he went another direction to intern at a smaller record label named Chemistry. In a direct response to DJ Sizzahandz joining the fellas on Episode 42, Scoops gives the fellas his version of events that transpired while himself, along with Crooklyn Clan (DJ Sizzahandz and DJ Riz) all co-wrote and produced the timeless hip hop break “Be Faithful”. Scoop tells the fellas the real meaning why he wanted to do records and what was his real motive behind it all.

Episode 47: Best of Summer ‘18 DJ Neva starts off the podcast talking about a very special birthday tribute private party he DJ'd during the week for one of the all time legends in pop music, which included a heavy list of celebrity guests and DJs. With Summer 2018 coming to an end, each member of the crew takes time to reflect on the last 3-4 months of music. Which records held down the clubs, which ended up being flops, surprise artists, etc. Categories included (1) Top 5 Club Anthems (2) Top 5 Over-hyped Songs (3) Top 5 Summer Let Downs (4) Top 5 Albums and (5) Personal Favorites. Between the crew there was a general consensus on a few records, while Crooked and Neva both have some unexpected entries on their list. Jaime da Great surprises the crew with a couple of different genres on his list as well. The fellas all agree on where this summer ranks as far as strength of music is concerned.

Episode 46: DJ ZIMMIE This week the fellas sit down with @DJZIMMIE ! The episode kicks off with Zimmie sharing his stories from the mid 2000’s and how he used to come check out Crooked’s marathon sets in Las Vegas and also how his friendship began with Neva and Crooked. Zimmie shares stories on how it was growing up in Pittsburgh and how he always felt outta place, and even though living in one of the biggest sports cities in the Country, he was still never a fan of sports. He also explains his current living situation in Portland, Oregon and how the night life and hip hop scene is in the northwest. Then the fellas explore Zimmie’s life as a working tech for the world famous @DJJazzyJeff and how his life has changed since being involved with Jeff. He then also explains his latest experience at @playlistretreat and how crazy it was. Finally, zimmie paints us a visual to his on going current project @soundtrackdjdoc which is microscopic lens into the history of DJs and explained in depth on how far it has come to the present day.

Episode 45: SADAT X (Brand Nubian) Co-Host Mark Da Spark This week the fellas sit down with the legendary New York rapper and 1/4 of the group Brand Nubian, Sadat X. The fellas kick it off by going back to Sadat’s earliest days as a teenager and his upbringing with this week’s cohost and childhood friend Mark Da Spark. X speaks on linking up with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar, and explains how the group first formed, as well as the groups trials and tribulations. He also speaks about his college life while playing basketball and how he managed to get by during those years away from New York. He dives into the tragic story of the day Big L passed away and how he had spoken to him hours prior to his death. Sadat X speaks on meeting Tupac and hanging out with Mark in LA, as well as the reception they had on the west coast during the 90’s. While still in his prime he met actress Regina Hall, dated her for roughly 8 years, snd helped her attend acting school and also saw her flourish into her first couple of acting roles. Now, Sadat X is a teacher in New York and uses hip hop in his curriculum and helps kids lead into the right paths in life.

Episode 44: DJ AUDIO 1 The fellas begin the show listening to and reviewing Kanye West' new track entitled "XTCY". Bay Area DJ/Producer Audio 1 joins the R.O.A.D. Podcast. Audio 1 tells the crew about his come up in Hayward, CA just outside of San Jose. Audio 1 currently serves as an in house producer/editor for Direct Music Service record pool, aka DMS. Audio 1 tells the crew who he credits as the top producers on DMS in his opinion. He speaks of how he connected with Kevin Scott, their 12-year friendship and how he became a part of DMS. Audio 1 educates the fellas and how you can make a living making edits as a DJ. Audio 1 also talks about how he used his editing skills to network and build relationships in the industry. Audio 1 speaks on coming up in the rave scene in the bay, and what inspired him to produce.

Episode 43: Nate Dogg Vs. Ty Dolla $ign The fellas discuss in detail the new Travis Scott album "Astroworld". The crew also talks Adidas and the Yeezy brand possibly being worth 1 billion. The fellas debate on who ended the relationship between Drake and Adidas. Jaime asks Crooked what's the best way, as a DJ, to get your pay rates increased. With the new YG album dropping, Jaime and D-Miles discuss which records have the potential to be hits in the club. The fellas have a lengthy conversation on Nate Dogg vs Ty Dolla $ign vs T-Pain; who has had the best run to date. Jaime does a quick review of Mac Miller's music.

Episode 42: DJ SIZZAHANDZ East Coast legend and one half of the infamous "Crooklyn Clan"; New York's very own DJ Sizzahandz ( @sizzahandz ) joins the R.O.A.D. podcast.   To start, Crooked tells of a great story on how he and Sizzahandz first met in New York.  Sizzahandz goes on to talk about his 4 year residency at The Tunnel in the late 90's.  Sizzahandz also talks about growing up in Brooklyn, how he met DJ Riz ( @djriznyc ), and how he fell in love with producing prior to becoming a DJ.  Crooked and Neva both credit Sizzahandz for coining the New York open format club sound.  Neva and Sizzahandz go on to debate what was the first official DJ party break.  Sizzahands tells the story of how he and Fatman Scoop ( @fatmanscoop ) met, and how they created the legendary "Be Faithful" break.  Sizzahandz also gives some history on the name "Crooklyn Clan", and also how their digital download website www.crooklynclan.net was the first of its kind.  Sizzahandz also sheds some light on his particular political views that shocks the crew.

Episode 41: Rebound Guy Jaime da Great does a recap of attending the Joe Budden podcast. Budden shows much appreciation to Jaime on stage. The crew discusses Tekashi 6ix9ine's new single "Fefe" featuring Nicki Minaj. Neva questions the timing of this release, which coincides him 6ix9ine being robbed in New York. Crooked and Neva agree that this wasn't a good look for Nicki Minaj. The fellas discuss what other records by 6ix9ine are working in the clubs. The crew discusses the new Ciara record that dropped this week; if it'll be a hit or will it fly off the radar. Crooked thinks Ciara sounds like another female megastar on this record. The crews discusses if Tyga's record "Taste" would be as big a hit without social media. After having a fews weeks with the Drake album, the fellas discuss what other records have the potential to be club hits. D-Miles questions if "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai has fizzled out. The fellas debate if there's one song that can be considered “Song of the Summer”.

Episode 40: DJ NUGGET On this week’s episode of the R.O.A.D. podcast the fellas sit down with Pittsburgh’s very own @DJNugget ! The fellas start off with Nuggets’ background and his upbringing in pittsburgh. Nugget explains the music and DJ scene in Pittsburgh, and the impact Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller had in the music industry and what it meant to the city of Pittsburgh. Standing in rare company; Nugget explains the challenges, as well as the differences between being a DJ, as well as being a bar/nightclub owner. @DJCrooked tells a story on how he got punched while visiting Nugget in Pittsburgh. Nugget also shares his encounter with DJ KID CAPRI and how awkward it was. He also tells us that all nightclubs and bars in Pittsburgh still only use turntables and no one uses CDJS, and they only use 2 channel mixers not 4.

Episode 39: DJ MARVEL In this week’s episode of the ROAD Podcast, the fellas sit down with Canada’s own DJ MARVEL 1/4 of @Defreshest . Marvel starts off by telling us how it was growing up in Vancouver as a youngster and how he fell in love with the art of DJing. In addition, he paints us the picture of how it was to get vinyl records before @serato in Vancouver and his ups and downs as a DJ. Marvel shares with us the story of his first well paying gig as a Cruise Ship DJ. Moving forward, Marvel explains to us how he became a part of the longest Sunday party In Vancouver, and how they sustained the momentum for 11 years. We then discussed the new “Scorpion” album by Drake ( @champagnepapi ). That lead to the discussion/debate between @djneva and @jaimedagreat “if drake is this era’s MJ?”