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BBC:
What
have you been up to lately as far as DJ’ing
goes or do you have any current projects in the works?
DJB:
As
far as DJ'ing, I am the current Saturday nite resident at Silver Shadows
Nite Club in Columbia. I host an occassional House Music party called
"Good Vibrations" @ Street Folks. Its usually Bi-monthly but it all
depends on my Friday schedule because I do play the local "commercial"
parties i.e. Teamsters, etc. BBC:
What do you think happened to the popularity of House Music in the
Baltimore area?
DJB:
Good question!! I think there are a number of factors
involved. 1st - The rise of Hip Hop in the mainstream. Hip Hop has become
commercialized and profitable and corporate america is cashing in! House
has remained pretty much underground and the support from record labels
are almost non-existent. Which leads to the next factor. 2nd - Radio
Support. Back in the day, the clubs usually dictated what was played on
the radio. Today, radio dictates what is played in the club. Right
now, Hip-Hop and R&B are dominant on the radio, in-turn, this is whats
played in the clubs. There is alot of good House that radio playable but
radio these days is very corporate. Its all about $$$, not getting the
music to the people. 3rd - Lack
of clubs that play the House Music. Where do you go to hear it? The
Paradox WAS the place to go but that has declined into a hopper spot. Now
realize the Paradox still supports House but the House Heads don't support
the Dox. Why? The main 3 reasons are, Too Gay, Hopper spot, parking. Now
if your a true House Head then its should be all about the music right?!?!
Not so here in B-More. Baltimore has a large number of straight House
Heads. They are very picky. Alot of them do not want to party with Gay
people. Homophobia!! It has to be the right "atmosphere." This reason is
because of nostalgia, Back in the Club "Hey Dey", You had several choice
where to go to hear the music. Heads are looking for the"vibe" that was
lost with the decline of the clubs and the music. Its got to be right!!!
BBC: What role do you think the radio stations play on the,
seemingly, loss of commercial appeal to House Music and do you think that
House has an "underground" status once again?
DJB:
Big Time!! Like I said, radio supports what is going to make them money
and right now Hip-Hop R&B dominate the airwaves whether its Radio or TV.
As far as House being underground again, I don't believe it ever left from
underground! There is alot of Commercial Dance music being passed off as
House music. I personally thinks its bad because the commecial dance music
lacks soul!! Its watered down to appeal to the mainstream. Now anything
with a 4/4 kick beat is considered house music. This is whats keeps the
real music underground.
BBC: What effects do you think that the
canceling of Morgan State's "Underground Experience" had on area House
heads, if any? DJB:
Huge!! The one outlet we had was the Underground Experience. This was the
place were we could get it all. News on Parties, New Music, Classic sets,
guest DJ's etc. I miss it very much. It was a well supported show. Those
who could not get out to the clubs to hear it could stay home and get
their "house fix". I use to sit by the radio with a pen and write down all
the hot joints and be at the record store that Monday looking for them.
The PD truly destroyed an institution. He's an Idiot!! What kills me
is how do the wrong people get put into these PD positions??
BBC: What do you think of the "Baltimore Club" music scene?
DJB:
For
the most part its wack!! But I can't lie, I do like some of the stuff!!
LOL What the kids that listen to it don't understand is that
Baltimore Club came from House Music!! They act like it was just dreamed
up out of the blue. They have no respect for House music which is the
music they love came from. I feel sorry for most of the youth today!! They
have no sense of history!!
BBC: Some area DJ's play the same ooollllddddd House music(when they
play it) in Baltimore Clubs today? You know, safe songs.
Do you think this is making the genre, in Baltimore, stagnant?
DJB:
To a
certain degree, but its keeps people ears open to the sound. Thats all I
needed to bridge the Gap between the new and old music. Trust me, If they
can like "I Get Lifted" then they can like "Change 4 Me!!!"
BBC: Are you working on any new projects/events that House heads
should be checking for?
DJB:
Glad you asked! I am working on a party in December in
conjunction with Elan Records (Soul Providers). Its gonna' be huge but I
am not at liberty to discuss right now but stay tuned!! Of course Good
Vibrations!! Its Growing rapidly. Also, DJ Spen, KW Griff and myself are
working with the Dox to start a party. Stay tuned for that also!!
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