Are you from Baltimore? If not, how did you come to settle here?

 Yes

What was your musical influences growing up and did you play any instruments?
Most of my musical influences growing up came from my mother. A consummate singer on church choirs and an overall lover of good music, she helped to instill a sense of musical awareness and diversity into my life. Eventually joining the church choir myself I have been surrounded by music all of my life. I have played many instruments although I have mastered none (actually not even close :o). My favorites are the piano, drums and congas.

Tell us a little about yourself. (growing up, your dj history, experiences, etc.)
Growing up was great. A loving family and plenty of opportunities to get into trouble.  I became really interested in music (primarily rap) around 12 or 13. I wanted to be a rapper (I just knew I had skills :o). My homeboy and I even auditioned for a record deal, but alas it wasn’t to be… My first record was “The Show” by Doug E. Fresh. I had one turntable and a tape deck and I would do little remix edits (ahh..those were the days :o) . I always loved to dance, which drew me more into the music scene. I remember going to little house parties in people’s basements or whatever (with that one red light) and watching the dj rock the crowd. I often felt compelled to become a dj so that I too could rock the crowd, making people dance and feel good. I would take advantage of any opportunity (usually with disastrous results) offered by the host dj to get on the “wheels of steel.”
My dj career spans about 15 years. Most of my gigs have been private parties for others or hosting functions of my own. I have played at many clubs and I have held a couple residencies at local venues as well. From time to time I make a cameo appearance during the set of one of my many dj friends but not for long, I wouldn’t want to steal the show (lol)!

 

Some dj’s have a mentor dj that they learn from while they hone their skills. Did you have one or someone that you looked to for inspiration?
Well, as I mentioned, Jerome Hicks was instrumental in my early education and a contributor to my inspiration to become a dj/artist. I can say that over the years many dj’s have had an influence on my unique style including but not limited to: Teddy Douglas, Tommy Davis, Sean Caesar and Louie Vega. However, over the last few years one dj that has been a constant source of inspiration to me as a dj/artist has been the legendary Timmy Regisford. After my first experience at the Shelter in NYC (where Timmy is the resident dj) about 3 years ago, I have not been (nor will I ever be) the same. A change for the better occurred when I experienced the phenomenon of Timmy Regisford’s unique style of mixing. His exhaustive knowledge of music coupled with an insistence on melodic diversity and his uncanny ability to work even the most conservative spectator into a bliss-filled frenzy has made me his ardent and dedicated follower. He has inspired me, more than any other dj, to have the boldness to offer diversity in my musical selections and the courage to persevere despite my shortcomings. I consider him a musical mentor (albeit usually vicariously).
 

How would you describe your musical style and what House artists, group, or record label are feelin’ right now?
I would definitely consider my musical style to be an eclectic one. One that incorporates diversity throughout various genres and styles. I am all about making people dance, have a good time and appreciate the beauty that is music. I love “good” music, and “good” music cannot be pigeonholed into one genre or style or region or even time period for that matter.

I am feeling so many artists (not just “house”), groups and labels right now that to name them all would take a minute but a few of my favorite in the house genre include artist/groups: Blaze, Joe Clausell, Dj Spinna, Glen Underground, MAW, Ron Trent, Pope/Oji, Yuroba, Ambrosia, Kenny Bobien, Shaun Escoffery, and the list goes on and on and on……. On the record label tip I would include: Shelter, Wave, Spiritual Life, NightGroves, Fallout, Africanism, MAW, POJI, Prelude, Life Line, West End etc. etc. etc…..
 

Everyone knows that the House scene in Baltimore hit a low for a longtime up until last year. Do you have any thoughts on this & what we all can do to keep it going?
Without being to exhaustive (because I could on this topic) I will just say that I think a number of factors combined to contribute to the decline in the house music scene here in Baltimore. Chief among them would be the lack of venues consistently offering house music, increasingly less and less radio exposure of house music, a majority of the population that was perhaps unwilling or unable to embrace the house music culture and an exodus, for one reason or another, of some of the pioneering dj talent the city had to offer, talent that might have helped the city weather the storm.

But enough about the past. Baltimore is in the midst of a resurgence within the house music world. The solution to maintaining and growing this resurgence is simple; support! The house music scene will remain alive and thriving as long as we continue to support it. Think of it as a living thing. All living things need attention, support, affirmation, and love. If we commit to giving the house music scene here at least these things it will never die!
 

Were you a fan of DJ Oji & Pope’s “Underground Experience”? If so, tell us how it touched your life as a dj and genuine lover of House?
Definitely. Way back when they first came on the air I remember staying up till the wee hours of the morning (their show used to air from like 12 am to 5 am Friday night/Saturday morning) just so I could listen and tape the good music they offered week in and week out. They were very good with providing a playlist of all of the tracks played which helped out a young dj like me because I would take that list right to the record store the next day to load up on all the new goodies. Listening to them over the years really helped to enlighten me as a dj and did a lot for the house music community locally and globally.
 

In the past, you have said you are into the producing side of music also. How did you get into it and what is your motivation?
I think it is a natural progression to go from playing other peoples music, and seeing the effect it has on you and others, to producing your own (even if it is just a small re-edit). There is something gratifying and motivating about being able to say to yourself “this is something I created and this is the effect it has on people.”
 

What projects have you worked on either for yourself or for others, or working on?
I have done several projects primarily re-edits of existing tracks for personal use in my sets. I have also collaborated with other artists/producers on their projects in a consultative capacity.
 

What should we be expecting from you in the near future as far as dj’ing, producing, or anything musically is concerned?
In the near future you can expect to see me playing in many more venues both locally and remote. I hope to be back in the studio soon giving life to some of the many melodic epiphanies floating around in my mind. You also will probably see me on many a dance floor “getting my life” in support of the scene and for love of the music.
 

I want to publicly express my sincere appreciation and warm regards to John Johnson for his efforts in offering the much needed and invaluable resource of Blackbookscafe.com to the world, helping to shed light on the wealth of local talent and enlighten the minds of many.