ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

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?”

Episode 38: DJ SKRIBBLE The iconic DJ Skribble joins the R.O.A.D. Podcast this week. With Jaime Da Great out of town, DJ Eddie McDonald comes through in a guest host capacity. Right away the fellas get Skribble's thoughts on the beef going on between 2 New York legends; Kid Capri and Funk Master Flex. Skribble explains the difference between the 2 DJ's style wise, who he relates to personally as a DJ, and who he thinks would win in a battle. Crooked brings up Skribble's days as a rapper in a group known as the Young Black Teenagers, the controversy that came with the name, and how they constantly had to prove themselves as MC's. Neva recalls Skribble as being one of the first DJ to spin hip hop and house music at a high level. Skribble speaks on his early residencies in Vegas, and well as doing some of the early legendary pool parties. Skribble also talks of his days with MTV, his role with "Yo MTV Raps" coming up under Ed Lover and Dr. Dre, and also bringing the brand back as a hip hop show.

Episode 37: DJ SCENE The legendary DJ Scene joins the crew on the R.O.A.D. podcast. Originally from Seattle, now living in Las Vegas; Scene has been holding down nightlife venues across the country for the past 20 years. Dating back to the early 2000’s, Crooked recalls DJ Scene as one of the first out-of-town resident DJ’s in Vegas, as well as one of the top 5 club scratching DJs. Scene speaks of his early days as a B-Boy and battle DJ, never focusing on clubs. And from there, evolving into a club DJ by way of his own Sunday party called “Yo Son”. Scene also talks about his upbringing and how he discovered hip hop music by way of radio. Originally a lover of rock music, he gravitated towards aggressive hip hop. Scene speaks of his time doing radio in Seattle, and the pros & cons that come with it. He also fills us in on his time living in San Fransisco and doing radio for 7 years with the help of DJ E-Rock. Now living in Vegas, the crew discusses with Scene what inspired the move, and how he finds balance between DJing and family life.

Episode 36: The Knowles The crew starts off the podcast by discussing the untimely death of rapper/singer XXXTENTACION and the affect it will have on the hip hop community. Crooked mentions how social media may have played a role in this happening. With Nas' latest album dropping, the crew gives an in depth review of the album. Neva speaks about several producers that worked with Nas in the past, and how they may or may not be bitter at not being apart of Nas' latest project. Next, the fellas discuss the release of "The Carters", new album by Beyonce and Jay-Z. Jaime and Crooked both question the timing of this release, in alignment with their upcoming tour, and with Nas having just dropped his album 24 hours prior.

Episode 35: DJ FASHEN One of the most well respected DJ's in the game; DJ Fashen joins the R.O.A.D. Podcast. Originally from Pennsylvania, Fashen starts by telling the crew about his move to Arizona as a child, and his early love for Hip Hip and break dancing (06:02). From there he tells the crew how he linked with a certain legendary DJ and how this DJ became an early mentor to him (13:20). Fashen explains how he got some of his firsts gigs, as well as how he got started with doing radio (26:40). After making a huge name for himself in his city, Fashen tells the crew of his move to LA, and why he felt it was a necessary step to take for his career (01:14:08). Fashen also goes into detail about his relationship with DJ AM, and how AM helped shape him as a traveling DJ (55:57). Aside from DJing, Fashen shares with the crew his love for Art, and some of the pieces he has owned for the last 20 years (1:59:20). Fashen also shares his thoughts on new music, and why he feels DJing is in a greater space than it has been in the last 10 years (1:55:45).

Episode 34: Best Diss Song of All Time The crew dives right into the Drake vs Pusha T beef. Jaime explains how and why the beef started back in 2006. The fellas debate about who is winning the beef to this point. With Kanye stepping in to try and end the beef, Crooked gives his theory on what happened and why Kanye got in the middle of things. Crooked and Neva both elaborate on how Drake did not foresee this coming. The crew also discusses how the general public may view Drake after this beef. In light of Drake vs Pusha T, the fellas decide to make their own personal lists of the Top 5 best hip hop diss records of all time. Crooked and Neva recall the impact 50 Cent had on the city of New York after having beefs with so many rappers. The crew discuus new music, what they like and dislike about the Kanye West, Pusha T and ASAP Rocky albums.

Episode 33: DJ EDDIE MCDONALD & SEAN PERRY On Memorial Day Weekend the fellas sat down with 2 seasoned veterans in the DJ game; Sean Perry and Eddie McDonald. Both are by way of New York City, where they came up and made names for themselves. Eddie now residing in Vegas, and Sean with a short stent in Vegas as well, now living in LA. Crooked kicks things off speaking of his Friday night gig, and how D-Miles may or may not have sabotaged him during his opening set. Sean Perry and D-Miles both share stories of dealing with rough openers in past gigs. Eddie talks about his roots and how he started DJing with hip hop and reggae, and later took to house music. Sean Perry tells his story, Crooked speaks of the 2 growing up in the same neighborhood in New York. Sean credits his older brother with his start. Sean also tells of his gigs at the legendary "Tunnel". Neva shares an incredible story of when him and Eddie met at Jet Lounge in New York. Sean and Eddie both tell their stories of moving from New York to Vegas, and her trials and adjustments that came with it.

Episode 32: Goodbye Shure, Hello Jico...? The fellas start off with addressing the bet that Jaime and Neva made 2 weeks ago involving Nicki Minaj. Speaking of, the fellas recap Nicki’s performance on Saturday Night Live with special guest Playboi Carti. Crooked asks the question if in 2018 can you still do a Nicki Minaj set in the club. The crew discusses what records from the Cardi B album are working well in the club, and how Bodak Yellow has become Top 40. The fellas discuss “Fire & Retire”, records that are doing well and records that you can do without, and possibly never play again. Crooked, Neva and Jaime laugh hysterically at D-Miles’ list. The crew revisits the debate over which record is bigger; “God’s Plan” or “Nice for What”. D-Miles and Jaime Da Great retract their previous statements. The crew does a review of EDC, and discuss the evolution of non EDM acts performing at the festival. Crooked tells of his EDC experience DJing the festival with Stonerokk. The crew also discusses recent news on Spotify, and the artists they removed from featured playlists, and how this affected a certain artists sales. RIP Shure needles. The fellas discuss the end of an era with the Shure M-447 needles, and possible replacement options moving forward.