ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 28: Call Fat Joe! The crew starts off the show talking about Meek Mill, his release from jail, and what we should expect from him moving forward. With J. Cole's album dropping this past week, the crew breaks it down track by track, and discuss where this album ranks in comparison to his others. Drake drops his new single "Nice For What" and the crew is torn between which record will last longer; "Nice For What" or "God's Plan". After an amazing Coachella performance, the crew discusses Beyonce, and where she ranks amongst some of the greatest performers of all time, and if she's even close to being compared to Michael Jackson. With all of his recent outrageous tweets, the crew questions what's going on with Kanye West, if he's going crazy, or is it all strategy on his part? The crew also discusses Kendrick Lamar winning the Pulitzer Prize, and what a milestone this is for hip hop moving forward. R.I.P Aviccii, the fellas reflect on the DJ/Producer and the contributions he made with his music, as well as him being one of the first EDM DJ's to blow up.

Episode 27: DJ SPIDER The legendary DJ Spider joins us on the R.O.A.D. Podcast. Spider starts off by telling the crew how he came up in the LA rave scene, and how he got his start as a College Radio DJ. Crooked recalls knowing Spider from the "Next on Decks" competitions thrown by BPM Magazine in which Spider won. Upon winning he was awarded the opportunity to travel and tour with Mark Ronson. Spider talks about the trials of DJing in different cities and how regional certain records were before the social media age. He goes on to talk about his relationship with DJ AM and how they met at a convention in Las Vegas, which led to them building a friendship. Through his relationship with AM, Spider talks about how he met Travis Barker, which lead to him becoming the DJ and touring with Blink 182. Now married and with a son, Spider fills the fellas in on how he tries to balance his DJ career, as well as be a good husband and father.

Episode 26: DJ ROCTAKON While in Hollywood, the crew sits down with New York legendary DJ Roctakon. Born and raised in Alexandria, just outside of DC, Roctakon explains his path which led to him having a passion for DJing. After commuting back and fourth from DC to New York, Roctakon elaborates on his move to New York to further advance his DJ career. Shortly after, Roctakon feels the need for management. After considering all options, he decides to sign with S.K.A.M. Artist. After hitting a crossroads in his life, Roctakon talks about how he no longer wanted to DJ, and the struggles that came along with it.

Episode 25: Strangling Reflex This week on the R.O.A.D. Podcast the crew discusses if they’re feeling the newly upgraded Serato DJ Pro. D-Miles reviews most of the changes to the software, and gives a few pros and cons, after using the program for the first time. Crooked reflects on his crazy DJ schedule, in which he played seven days straight in multiple cites, and how that helped him be refreshed. With plenty of new music out, the crew critiques The Weeknd’s new EP, as well as the new Wale EP. With Cardi B’s debut album dropping this Friday, the crew gives their projections on how they think the album will do numbers wise. Jaime has a new found respect for 2-Chainz with his increased catalogue of club hits. Neva challenges the fellas to put together a list of at least 25 records that work in the club from 2-Chainz.

Episode 24: "CIPHA SOUNDS" This week the R.O.A.D. Podcast crew make their way to L.A. to interview New York legend Cipha Sounds. The Bronx native starts out by discussing how he found his love for DJing, and recalls his first gigs as an opener for Funk Master Flex at the legendary Tunnel. He goes on to tell us how he became Flex's intern at Hot 97, and spent the next 5 years in that role. Upon making a name for himself, Cipha became a full time DJ on Hot 97, and was known as one of the few DJ's that could spin on any mix show, with exception to Kay Slay. Simultaneously, Cipha became the tour DJ for Lil' Kim in the mid 90's. Cipha also tells the story how Junior Mafia was responsible for him knowing about 2Pac. Now having made a name for himself, Cipha becomes known for breaking artists and records alike. Some of which are Rihanna, Rick Ross, Nina Sky, etc. This led to him stepping into the record label side of music, becoming an A&R for Pharrell at Startrak, and also Tommy Boy and Rawkus Records. Cipha continues on, discussing his relationship with Peter Rosenburg and how the "Juan Epstein" podcast was born, as well as him becoming the official DJ for Dave Chapelle on the "Chapelle Show".

Episode 23: DJ MOMA This week the fellas have the honor of interviewing one of New York's finest, and Queen's native, DJ Moma. Crooked starts off by describing Moma as someone who served as a mentor to him, as well as putting on one of the best parties in New York, "Everyday People". Moma explains how he got his start in DJing, how he created his following, which in turn helped build his brand and make a name for himself. Moma also tells the crew of how he held down a full time career as an electrical engineer, while DJing 4-5 nights a week, and how it's ok to burn the candle at both ends while you're young. Crooked brings into conversation "The Good Spot", a one of a kind party experience that Moma created in 2008, and later shut it down in 2011. Moma tells the crew of the first time he met J. Cole, by way of his younger brothers IB, the pressident of Dreamville, and BAS, also signed artist of Dreamville. Moma then tells us of the evolution of his infamous day party "Everyday People" which started in 2012; a collection of old school and new school hip hop, reggae and afro beats.

Episode 22: MICHAEL MAYEDA aka "DJ MEGA MAN" This week the fellas sat down with Michael Mayeda aka “DJ Mega Man” and learn about his DJ career, his current production career and his thoughts about life and pain. They begin discussing Mayeda’s upbringing, growing up in Oxnard, CA and learning how an abusive care taker experience made him turn to music in order to cope with the pain. Mayeda explains how obsessive he became with DJing, that lead to him booking raves at the age of 14 as well as getting his first radio gig at the same time. Mayeda goes on to speak of how pain relates to creativity and the similarities between stand up comedians and DJ’s. He also talks about his time living in Las Vegas and his reasons on why he stopped DJing. Once removed from DJing, he turned his full attention to music production. He has worked with the likes of Lil Jon, SIA, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull, along with making soundtracks for a handful of motion pictures. Finally, they discuss the evolution of music, and dissect some of Mayeda’s videos, where he uses everyday sounds to make music, including making music from all of the planets radiations

Episode 21: Rick Ross...Heart Problem or Gas Problem? This week the fellas sit down and start the show discussing Oscar winners, Jordan Peele and Guillermo Del Toro. The fellas review DJ Khaled's new single "Top Off" with Jay-Z, Beyonce and Future. With rumors of Drake leaving Jordan Brand and going to sign a deal with Adidas, the fellas debate on how this will effect the rapper and both competitive brands. Finally, the guys get into the DJ topic of the week: backlash regarding the new Pioneer DDJ-SB3 Controller designed by DJ Jazzy Jeff. Conflicting opinions on the new product arise and the question of it possibly hurting the DJ culture becomes an issue.

Episode 20: FOUR COLOR ZACK This week the fellas sit down with Seattle native, Redbull Thre3style World Champion and 1/2 of the renowned DJ duo 2¢, Four Color Zack. Zack discusses his early years of juggling DJ gigs all while launching his own design agency. He also discusses how he linked up with DJ Craze to collaborate on a mixtape which later evolved into their group 2¢. Zack elaborates on how he became The Dream's tour DJ and why it was always important to have a "made bed" with him. The fellas also revisit their conversation from last week's episode on "scratching in club gigs". Zack revisits how he won the 2012 Redbull Thre3style World Finals and what the judges are looking for in a winning set. Finally, the crew touches on politics in the DJ world in Las Vegas.

Episode 19 - “Bloods, Crips & Slam Poetry” The fellas recap NBA All Star Weekend and the controversy over Fergie performing the National Anthem. Neva speaks on the YG x Tekashi 6ix9ine beef, and the diss record YG put out over 6ix9ine coming to LA. D-Miles and Jaime break down the gang culture in LA, and how most celebrities pay for their services. Jaime recalls incident the happened involving gangs for his 5th birthday party, and also shares knowledge of the latino gang culture. D-Miles sheds light on his family in relation to the bloods & crips. The fellas go to the premiere of Black Panther, and give an in depth review of the film, as well as the soundtrack being #1 on the Billboard Top 100. Crooked shares his thoughts on which tracks are hot, and which you can pass on.