One on One Interview w/ DJ H2
Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with Miami's own DJ H2.You may or may not have heard the name before or maybe you are more familiar with his former name DJ Heroin. Whether or not that is the case what you should know it that he is "The People's DJ". If you've ever been curious as to what's what and who's who on the Miami music scene (Indie or Major) he is your DJ. Witness the Power of H2.
What brought about the name change from DJ Heroin to DJ H2?
The simple answer is: I'm all about branding and marketability but honestly at the time of my name change, I was recently signed to Flo-Rida's IMG/Strong Arm management, after being around that type of star power, it made me look at my brand, where it was, and where I wanted to take it so I felt a name such as DJ Heroin wasn't gonna take me as far as I want to go.
Where is it that you’re trying to go with your brand?
My goal is to be one of the few DJs who started off as a DJ but expanded into a company that does marketing, PR & branding for other companies such as Coca-Cola but still have artists & DJs as clients.
What would you say your brand is now?
Me, I am my BIGGEST client… I am my brand!
What sparked your passion for DJing?
I can't totally say but music has always been a part of my life, as far back as I can remember I've been addicted to touching vinyl and a crossfader.
How long have you been a DJ?
Since I was about 12 yrs. old, maybe younger
Were your parents musicians?
Not that I know of. My mom was more of a music connoisseur so like most 80's babies, I grew up listening to music of all genres, from the 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's and my dad just enjoyed whatever type of music he was feeling at the time, kind of like me.
What DJ/DJs are you inspired by?
The age old question… Jam Master Jay, Uncle Al, Kidd Capri, DJ Drama, DJ Clue?, Disco Dave & so many other great DJs.
What do you love most about being a DJ?
The energy, power, and control
What was the first event you DJed?
Honestly, I’ve been in grind mode so long that I’ve forgotten what the first event was but I do remember the first time I took control of a crowed and had them dancing and partying to what I wanted them to. That feeling was incredible!
When did you start your professional career?
Somewhere around 2008 I hosted my first mixtape, a few years after I came into Miami's strip club scene and took it by storm!
What strip clubs have you DJed?
I started my career at Foxxy Lady in Miami, FL. since then I’ve spun in EVERY Miami strip club, from KOD to Take One at least twice. I’ve been as far as Tampa and Orlando, FL to spin in some of their strip clubs.
What other ventures are you involved in?
My marketing and branding company H2 Creative Concepts picked up Slip N' Slide Records as our first major client. Also I started a new mixtape brand/series with DJ Smokey Bear called Mixtape Bullies and I recently became a mixer on89.1 The Streets FM in Miami.
Tell me about the Mixtape Bullies.
Mixtape Bullies is my vision for a mixtape power house like DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz and/or Bigga Rankin's RNR series, there's nothing like it in Miami so I’m building it…They will come!!!
How do you feel about the art of Djing and new-age DJs?
I love DJing as an art, it has taken so many DJs to places they’ve never been and allowed DJs to touch people we never could've touched. Most people think the music is the most important part but honestly, it's the DJ, we're the ones who command the way you feel when you hear music. My personal opinion on new-age DJs is: some are cool, some should go find a day job but I think it’s cool how some of the new ones are using technology to aid them as they DJ, being that I’m a tech junkie, it excites me but the one who don't respect the art really piss me off.
You can catch DJ H2 every Saturday from 2pm-4pm on 89.1 The Streets FM #H2onTheRadio. For his mixtape catalog you can visit www.DJH2.com. Follow him in Twitter: @Only1DJH2, on IG: @ItsOnly1DJH2, or Facebook.com/Only1DJH2.