INTERVIEW FRIDAY : WITH DJ SELECT
WHATS YOUR ALIAS?
Dj Select
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Born in Buffalo, spent some time in Dallas, and now Brooooooooklyn!
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?
Selector, Dj, music lover…
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO DJ?
Not to sure when I wanted to dj.. I was young, but it kind of fell into my lap.. Probably on career day in elementary school, where I was the “radio dj” . After then I had all ways been fascinated by the idea of djing.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT?
If it was a cassette or cd.. prob enter the 36 chambers, or das efx hold it down…
Vinyl .. boogie down productions Criminal Minded, Douge e Fresh The Show, Buffalo Stance Neneh Cherry
WHO ARE THE BEST DJ’S OF THE PAST AND WHY?
Good question.. I’d say respect to all the founders of the craft of Djing.. But my influences would be Funkmaster Flex, Kid Capri, Kenny Dope (MAW), Bobby Konders (Massive B), and the guys who brought me up Dj TDK and Curtis G.
WHAT IS WORK NIGHT LIKE FOR YOU?
Night life is all ways crazed… Late nights, lots of different people… and people you’d typically never meet during the daytime.. lol
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO IS______________AND WHY?
All time?? I always liked Blackstar’s video’s for Respiration and Defintion… 2 that defined my child hood.
Currently Rihanna We found love
WHAT ARE 5 THINGS THAT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Love, + vibes, music, Iphone, macbook
WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON MUSIC TODAY?
Music today is cool, yeah it’s definitely watered down from years back. But you have to look for songwriting and production. Music will continue to evolve.. it’s our choice to embrace it or not. I personally would like to see the soul come back to music. A lot of it is cheesy and annoying… but there is a lot of great music out there now!
Look for artist like Hollie Cook a super talented Uk reggae artist.. who’s dad is Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols. Or even like established but still growing artist like Frank Ocean.
ONE IS YOUR NUMBER ONE GO TO SONG RIGHT NOW?
That’s tuff… well if it’s a top 40 club spot prob “we found love” by Rihanna..
If it’s reggae/dancehall vibes I’d say “Call mi a Yardie” by Stylo G
And “party hard” by Donaeo
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A DJ?
The ability to control crowds and allow people to not be themselves for a moment... or all night.. No matter what type of music I might be playing.. hip hop, funk, reggae, house, or anything else in between.. Also being able to relate to a crowd you might not know anyone at a spot and have them coming up to you and showing love. Just the vibe of running the party and seeing everyone have a good time!
DO YOU BELIEVE music IS AT ITS CREATIVE PEAK RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THE TECHNOLGY WE HAVE OR IS IT TOO DILUTED WITH ANNIMATED VOICES?
I feel like people who are musical are not getting the shine they deserve... Everything is cutting edge in the music industry right now… but unfortunately the “right now” people aren’t always musical... so I feel like no it’s not... there is still a lot of room for new music to shine!
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR INFLUENCES IN MUSIC?
My influences span from all directions.. I listen to practically everything.. I’ve djed practically all kinds of events.. From Vera Wang event, Cruise ships, opened up for Elvis Costello *private event, to just crazy nyc parties.. So this has allowed me to play almost all types of music, but all ways with my style.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CROWD THAT YOU EVER DJ’D FOR?
Well I’d say it was when I started djing @ Palm Beach Club in Dallas. It was amazing.. crazy reggae/dancehall party every weekend. The spot to be in Dallas if you liked reggae at that time.. It was just the energy.. the selections.. the crowd reaction.. the selector *dj in us… and the ability to talk to the crowd relate and tell a story through music. Those were the days…and we are talking a spot at capacity every weekend.. 150+.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR MIND IS IN A CREATIVE RUT?
Stop listening to music for a day or 2.. then come back to it.. some times I have to clear my head.
DO YOU HAVE AN EMBARASSING ALBUM THAT YOU CANT GET RID OF BECAUSE DEEP INSIDE YOU LOVE IT?
Hahahahahaha anything Drake.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MUSIC NEEDS TODAY AS A REFRESHER FROM EVERYBODY DOING THE SAME THING?
I think people should go 2 ways… back to sampling... or back to creating new original music… I’m a little torn on this question.
MOST HATED SONG RIGHT NOW PERSONALLY?
Anything Wacka Flacka. (CHANROCK: worddddddddddddd I HATE RAPPERS WITH DUMB NAMES WONT CATCH ME LISTENING TO EM)
WHAT ADVICE DID YOU WISH SOMEONE GAVE YOU ABOUT YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?
I’m all ways open for advice... cause everyday is a new story to tell… and everyday I’ll learn something new. I guess I’d say to stay focused…
MOST EXCITING PLACE YOU EVER DJ’D WAS?
Probably the whole experience of djing on cruise ships… basically my down time was at every beach in the Caribbean!
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION?
My parents have all ways supported me since day 1. They love that I’m following my dreams and making it happen for myself, and I love them for supporting me!
WHATS ONE QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY?
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind”- BOB MARLEY
WHATS YOUR DAILY ROUTINE LIKE SUN UP TO SUN DOWN?
Most days up @ 5am – 6am . Work 6/7 – 4pm, gym (cardio) get home work on music/ practice, disco nap then go out.
If you had the CHANCE TO WORK ON 3 PAST ALBUMS WITH WHAT ALBUMS WOULD IT BE?
I don’t really listen to albums these days... but I’d say The Weekend’s last album for sure.. .I’m just really into what they have to offer…
Donaeo’s last album Indigo Child.. great artist from the UK.. with lots of versatility.. funky, house, bashment.. great album.
What do you do to CHILL OUT?
Chillin… it’s funny, being out all ways I kind of like hitting a coffee shop and working on music… if not that if the weather is nice riding my bike or taking a walk around the city.
FIRST THOUGHT WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
Can I sleep for another 5 minutes?... and then what is my to do list like today??
What has been one of the best moments in your career so far?
Wow…. I guess just recently, through the company I work for Scratch Academy. On top of djing cruise ships, in store gigs, and corporate parties… we also do weddings. So I was 1 of 4 dj’s selected to interview for a bride and groom who are going to be on a reality Tv show. I can’t name who she was or what station, but I will say she has been on a reality TV show before and my MC of the night was from “Making the Band” fame. That’s all I can say... but being able to play the music I’m passionate about and be on tv (april it airs lol) was an amazing opportunity….. plus; we have some big things bubbling me and my MC.
WHAT IS THE SADDEST FACT ABOUT WORKING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
There is a lot of fake people out there! A lot of people who are just interested in the $$$, but that’s life I guess. If you do music or work in music please have a passion for it!
WHATS IN YOUR WALET RIGHT NOW?
$200, Dj Select Stickers, business card, and a receipt
If someone MADE A TOP 10 PLAYLIST OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS WHAT SONGS WOULD BE ON IT?
1. Gwen Mcrae – Funky Sensation
2. Love is the message - MSFB
3. Percolator - Cajmere
4. Walk Away from love – Bitty Mclean
5. Loves gonna get ya – Boogie Down Produtions
6. DWYCK – Gangstar
7. Big L – Devil’s son
8. Truth and rights – Johnny Osbourne
9. Sanchez – Forever
10. wonderful world beautiful people – Jimmy Cliff
a little all over the place.. don’t forget the dj side .. hahaha I could make a top 100 though..
I LOVE MUSIC AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT BETTER ARE ON MY BUDDY LIST. Any last thoughts?
Love life, live it to the fullest, live with no regrets, all ways keep a smile on your face, never take anything for granted, WORK HARD, don’t complain, and FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
Twitter : twitter.com/djselect
Website http://www.soundcloud.com/djselect