ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 273: DJ HABIBEATS On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome LA’s finest @DJHabibeats. Habibeats speaks on wanting to represent musical acts as lawyer (1:02), learning how to DJ from his uncle DJ Nader (3:30) and passing the bar exam right as his DJ career took off (11:52). He talks being one of the original #TikTok DJs playing original samples of songs (19:38), @AliciaKeys sharing his video (30:02) and his process of accepting brand deals on Tik Tok like his deal with @DennysDiner (35:01). He talks about the success of his first party #HabibisHouse (42:06), opens up about how a large social media following doesn’t always translating to real-life events (43:33) and breaks down the hottest Arabic music songs to play (1:00:02). Finally, the crew talk about releasing Habibeats’ edits and a special #HabibisHouse playlist on @DJCity and @Beatsource (1:18:02).

Episode 272: The 4th Fugee On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas recap their time at #SXSW (2:13). They discuss the huge hip hop moment that happened at 12 Rivers that included @JustBlaze @CiphaSounds @BeanieSigelSP @RedmanGilla @JadaKiss @DaveChappelle (4:05) and witnessing the happiness @DJJazzyJeff and @SkratchBastid exude when they DJ (9:05). The guys give new updates on the #JhoLow court proceedings that include @PrasMichel from #TheFugees (14:35), @DJCrooked details how each of The Fugees have been caught up in criminal activity (18:04) and they receive a call from an unknown source allegedly close to Jho Low (29:01). Finally, the crew speak on the new Artificial Intelligence mimicking artists’ voices and likeness (50:01).

Episode 271: DEORRO On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas are back with multi-platinum LA-based DJ, producer, and songwriter @Deorro. Deorro speaks on starting to DJ with his dad as a teenager (5:01), his early production days using a demo version of “Mix Craft” (8:30), and his legendary Caballo Dorado “No Rompas Mas” line dancing moment @EDC_Mexico 2023 (16:20). He acknowledges the Latin talent in EDM like @Noizekid_Oficial (19:25), talks working with @LosTucanesDeTijuana after being inspired by “La Chona” (22:30) and the process of creating ‘Bailar’ with legend @ElvisCrespoLive (35:41). Deorro shares releasing his hit “Perdoname” when @UltraRecordsOfficial had passed on it (48:41), @Avicii signing “Five Hours” before Ultra (1:00:20) and how @ChrisBrownOfficical was put on “Five More Hours” (1:02:02). He speaks on his early days getting cosigned by @LaidBackLuke (1:06:02) and @SteveAoki taking him on tour (1:10:05). Finally, Deorro shares his feelings about non-Latin DJs gentrifying Latin music (1:16:31).

Episode 270: #DRUNKTEXT On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew announce their one-month break in March with no new episodes till Wednesday, April 5th (00:55). They speak on the tremendous response they received from Episode #265 with @1978HipHop (01:43) and @DJCrooked speaks on a recent "#DrunkText" (09:20). The crew question discuss a tweet claiming Open Format DJs were more skilled than House DJs (29:30) and decipher the new "slang" that's emerging from the youth (45:35). Finally, the crew give their respects on the passing of #Trugoy #TheDove #Plug2 of #DeLaSoul (@wearedelasoul) (49:45) and share some of their favorite songs/memories/moments from the group (1:12:40).

Episode 269: "Bum Bump" Feat. DJ BIG BEN + SOURMILK On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew welcome Brooklyn's finest @DJBigBen and LA’s own @DJSourMilk of the @LALeakers. Big Ben reveals he used @DJCrooked’s Mix CDs in the early 2000s to open rooms (1:20), reminisces on the struggles of DJ'ing big clubs on vinyl in NYC (10:02) and carrying "protection" at gigs (18:05). The fellas speak on the hottest records in New York (21:40) and discuss @Billboard and @VibeMagazine’s recent list of the ‘Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time’ (39:42). Ben talks about returning to radio with @Ciphasounds @DJMisterCee @MissJonesOfficial on NYC's new throwback station @947TheBlock (52:20). They debate whether a New York or Cali DJ can spin a better set on opposite coasts (1:05:23), review @BadGalRiri’s #SuperBowl #HalfTime performance (1:28:02) and question whether @LilUziVert’s ‘I Wanna Rock’ is #Philly’s new anthem (1:31:01). Finally, Sourmilk presses the crew on curving him when he’s in Vegas (1:54:02) and Ben talks about the club mic being the dirtiest thing in the DJ Booth (2:00:00).

Episode 268: DJ KISS On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas speak with NYC’s finest and Hollywood's go-to DJ @KissTheDeeJay. @DJCrooked recalls Kiss’s impeccable music taste when she waitressed at #ClubPM in NYC (1:02) and linking up with his #ClubPM co-resident @DJMOS (15:31).  Kiss shares her early days spinning at NYC hotspots like #Stereo and #GoldBar (25:21), fighting for #NYFW gigs (37:28) and navigating a nightlife scene heavily reliant on Page Six Mentions and nepotism (40:22). She talks about joining @SkamArtists when @SkyNellor was the most sought after "Female DJ" at the time (50:56) and speaks about her new scripted TV Series with MOS (1:05:03).  Kiss explains how she became #Prince's personal DJ (1:15:47), as well as @Diddy (1:27:34) and went on tour with @Pharrell, @Oprah and #JimmyIovine (1:31:22).

Episode 267: DJ BAD On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew speak with one of LA’s premier Club DJs @DJBad. Bad speaks on the @MADENightlife Sundays at @DayLightVegas (00:55) and the crew compare LA neighborhoods to NYC Boroughs (09:15). Bad talks on transitioning from college parties to Hollywood clubs (15:01), being recruited by @SupremeTeamLA (26:01) and @Drake DJ’ing during his set at #ToxicDayParty (40:30). The fellas discuss @Mustard leading the Westcoast Hip-Hop takeover in the early 2010s (45:35) and Bad recalls dropping an unreleased song at #SupperClubTuedays that caused @YG and his camp to rush the booth (1:00:02). The crew speak on being left behind on @Serato #Stems (1:18:20) and Bad's management firm @EmagenEntGroup with @DudeBro and their first client @Nas (1:35:01). Finally, Bad shares his biggest career struggle (1:39:01) and addresses the current climate in LA Nightlife (1:47:09).

Episode 266: BOOTLEG KEV On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew speak with West Coast radio legend and LA’s finest @BootlegKev. Bootleg Kev gives the guys their flowers for their podcast journey (00:45) and speaks on the DJ politics when he was in Las Vegas in the 2010s (3:34). Kev shares being laid off @Real923LA during the pandemic (9:15), building up his own syndicated radio show (12:13) and being an early YouTube content pioneer with a J.Cole (@RealColeWorld) freestyle (25:51). He reminisces on his time in Vegas with @MallyMall (35:40), getting robbed of $15K during the pandemic (47:54) and the legendary "Strip Hop" Stripper Party in Las Vegas (1:02:01). Kev talks about @LilPump leaking his phone number (1:15:02) and claims Drake (@ChampagnePapi) doesn’t have a “classic album” (1:30:02). Finally, Kev speaks on his grand exit from @Hot975LV (1:54:02).

Episode 265: KYAMBO “HIP HOP” JOSHUA On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome legendary A&R for #Rocafella Records, Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua (@1978HipHop). Hip Hop speaks on building his early relationship with #JayZ (4:15) and recording #Dipset, #StateProperty, and @MemphisBleek with his production/management company "Hip Hop Since 1978" (7:01). He explains how New York’s famous Tunnel Nightclub determined if a song was a hit (19:22). Hip Hop reflects on helping Jay-Z's “Dead Presidents/Ain't No” get to number one (26:01), breaks down the role of an A&R (32:40) and recalls Jigga passing on beats like “Whoa”, “Still Not A Player” and “Lights Camera Action” (39:05). Hip Hop speaks on his relationship with @Aaliyah (51:01), working in the studio with @MichaelJackson (1:18:53) and his top 5 Jay-Z records of all time (1:39:40). Finally Hip Hop talks about signing #KanyeWest as a producer/artist (1:56:02) and his role in curating the sound of Roc-A-Fella Records (2:25:02).

Episode 264: CHEF ROY CHOI + DUMBFOUNDEAD On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew welcome Gourmet Streetfood Guru @ChefRoyChoi (owner @KogiBBQ @BestFriendVegas) and prominent LA Rapper/Actor @DumbFoundead. The fellas talk about their mutual friend DJ Zo (@Zomanno) coordinating the interview (00:45) and Roy and Dumbfoundead speak on the different generations of Koreatown in LA (4:02). Roy shares his family’s rags to riches story with the start of his mother’s jewelry business (10:01) and explains how his strong Asian family foundation pulled him out of a “poetic crack journey” in New York (12:23). Dumbfounded speaks about the battle rap scene with @ProjectBlowedLA (30:21) and the first time he experienced Asian racism (43:01). The crew debate on the strength of Korean support in LA with @BobbyLeeLive and @DavidChoe (52:33). Finally, Roy explains how networking within the food and DJ industry are similar (56:15) and his thought process when programming DJs for his restaurant @BestFriendVegas (1:09:43).