INTERVIEW WITH DJ SKETCHZ

DJ: DJ SKETCHZ
CITY: MEMPHIS


Where did the name come from? I chose Dj Sketchz because I wanted my name to have meaning I consider djing to be art forms just like drawing a picture or sketching a picture. So that how I came with sketchz

So how did it all begin? I've always been around music my mom has played piano forever but for me I use just make a lot of neo soul mixes I was a barber by day and downtown Chris brown that was on 101.1 at the time was one of our regular customers got to hear a couple of them and thought I had a real ear for music and thought I should go for it so he let me hangout at a few of his gigs and learn so here I am..

What genre of music do you play? I play it all I feel if you’re going to be in this game why limit yourself so from top 40 to house...

What gave you that initial push? Wow man where do I start I’ve always been very close with Howard Q & Boogaloo & my guy Hypo I went to T.S.U with those guys so they have always given me encouragement also My guy Dj Kojac, Freddy Hydro & Chilli T. In Atlanta, But what really pushed me was I got to go to a party years ago and really hear my Dj Kutta man that dude is a beast!!!! To hear him work the crowd & scratch & transition music I knew then I wanted to go for it & become a Dj.

Did the Djing, Production, Promoting come 1st? I actually started with Howard Q & Hypo promoting parties back at T.S.U

Who's throwing the best parties at the moment? I would have to say my guys David Mack Marvin Todd, Ken Mack, & Craig Cunningham. Cool out & Social Therapy rocks!!!!So shout outs to those guys....

Which other countries have you played/put parties on? Wow I’ve had a chance to Dj in Atlanta also Dallas but I would love to hit some cities & out of the country...

What was the first event you ever played at/put on? The first big event was when Crumpys had their comedy club a couple of friends I put on a show with live entertainment with Larry Springfield & comedians Lester Bibbs & Tony Tone...We had great turn out... But we also had a tragedy happen with the death of officer Don Williams... So it made me back away from the promotion side it’s always tough when you try to give people a great time and someone comes and ruins it......

What's the best event you've played at/put on? Years ago I threw a New Years Eve party with Dr. Derrick Payne and few friends and if you've ever been to one of Doctor Payne’s events man you know people come out and party!!! We also had the legendary Dj Just Bourne on the 1's & 2's

What was your first record you bought? Man first records had to be Eric b. & Rakim paid in full

Out of all the tunes you have, which one 'never fails?' If your trying to get the ladies up I’d have to say lathum freak it that tune never gets old....

What's your favorite tune of all time? Wow I come from that break-dance & Hip- hop dancing era lol I have so many from Black Sheep This or That to Hashim- Its Time...

When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out? I actually like to cookout and grill so just hanging with friends & Family works for me I like to keep it simple..

So how is the scene in your eyes at the moment? Everyone is kind of doing the same thing it needs something new if it’s not Hookah parties its Day parties...

How big is your vinyl collection? What do you think of CDJ's? My vinyl Collection pretty big I’ve actually got the original sugar hill gang album with jump on it as well as the Original Here my Dear Marvin Gaye... I'm actually using the pioneer cdjs to Dj with me love them... But I also plan to buy some turntables I’ve used them so that vinyl has a total different feel...

Funniest thing that ever happened at an event? Wow I have to say these past few years I Dj a lot of parties for strictly jazz ENT. and they have a new year’s party at the Westin downtown so there people of all shapes & colors attendance when I played a serious of old school rap I look up and its two couples that are probably about sixty out on the floor pop locking to sir-mixalot baby got back when I tell you that was some funny ish!!!

What are your feelings on the MC's? Man its overrated people think that if you don’t talk to work the crowd then the party isn’t live so now we've got to have mc's on the mic all the time, But truth be told there will never be another Hypo.... But in this day and time nobody rocks a mic like B. Hall & C. Diddy so big shouts out to those brothers... But to each is own...

What do you do outside of the dance music scene? I was a barber for 19yrs... Now I’m the Marketing /Admissions Director for Memphis Institute of Barbering....

What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Promoters? Just stay humble definitely stay in your lane make sure that if your djing or promoting your doing it for the love of it & not just the money because it’s a lot easier to do this every day if you’re enjoying it...

When you play is this pre planned set? For me never because each club, party & crowd is different just because I like something doesn’t mean the crowd will so I’m always trying to read the crowd...

What music artist is motivating the music scene right now? I have to say that whole Rick Ross clique French Montana, Meek Mill my guy Juicy J. Is gettin it!!!

If you could change anything about the night scene what would it be? Man make these brothers stop standing around like they’re scared of these women man I’ve never seen nothing like it... all of these beautiful women in this city and they won’t even hold a conversation with them it’s crazy!!!!

Do you feel the DJing game is changing if so how? Yes it has some good some bad I just wish we would come together in our city as a Dj I’ve found that a lot of these others djs get in these cliques man and won’t even speak to other djs or hate on them and that’s crazy I want to see everybody do well, But when you have a lot of grown men that act like chicks!!!!! We've let other cities pass our city when hands down I think we have some of the hottest talent around but we keep ourselves for shinning with this foolishness.......But on a positive note you have brothers like Dj Rocksteddy ,Dj Stylez ,Dj Xculsive & Dj Kaliber that are doing the some positive & big things so I salute those brothers....

If you could pick any place you could spin at where would it be? Anywhere in Vegas.....

What is the difference in a radio personality and DJ? Radio personalities are more like a host or Mc's you do have a few that do it all. A Dj usually does is it all from mixing, Mc, to controlling his or her crowd...

Where can you be found doing your thing? I'm @ Perignons Restaurant and Lounge @ 2818 Coleman Rd. Every Saturday Nite for Sensual Saturdays Ladies Free Till 10 2 for 1 food & Drink specials....So come holla at ya boy...

How can we find you on online? Facebook Dj Sketchz, Instagram Dj Sketchz
twitter @dj_sketchz

Anything you want to add before we close out? I'd like to thank you for interviewing me shoutout to my probeat Dj fam...


Be Blessed fam....

INTERVIEW WITH MEMPHIS DJ NUBREED

DJ/RADIO PERSONALITY NAME: DJ NuBreed

CITY: Memphis

What genre of music do you play? Hip Hop, RnB, Rap, House, Dance, Bounce

So how did it all begin? It all began on the campus of University of Memphis. I started out playing music at house parties switching between my CD's and iTunes, lol. Obviously that wasn't going to work too long. I quickly moved on to a simple DJ program on the computer and began mixing at these college house parties. When I saw the energy I got from the crowd I thought to myself "this is all me!" Having the satisfaction of knowing that everyone had a good time because of the music I played opened my eyes. From then on I studied, watched, learned and listened to the DJ's that were already in the game like: Dj Kutta, Dj Dre, Dj Spydermann, Dj Houston, etc.

Where did the name come from? The name actually comes from my Fraternity; The Delta Nu chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. It was originally DNuBreed symbolizing a new breed of members that came into the chapter around 04/05. I simply split the D from the Nu and made it Dj. Simple, but effective.

What gave you that initial push? When people didn't take me seriously. They made me work harder and grind smarter to earn my respect in this business. I had four people in my ear the entire time i was trying to make a name for myself: Dj Rocksteddy, Dj Q, my guys Jerrick and KJay (who are also both Dj's). They gave me the necessary words and "encouragement" to stop tip toeing and get the ball rolling.

Did the Djing, Production, Promoting come 1st? I've produced music since I was a teenager, that's always been a passion of mine. However, I put it on the back burner when life got "real" after college. I was originally promoting with a group called AEI. A lot of people came and went through AEI, but I'm not gone speak on that, lol. Then the Djing came and changed my life completely.

Who's throwing the best parties at the moment? That's a hard question. Everybody brings something unique and different to their demographic of people. If I had to say somebody it would have to be BBEMG with the Sun Set Day Party.

Which other countries have you played/put parties on? I haven't been out of the county, yet. I'm striving to get international though so stay tuned lol.

What was the first event you ever played at/put on? A Sigma house party in college. Mainstream though would be a birthday party at Elements.

What's the best event you've played at/put on? The Can I Live Weekend Ultimate Day Party of 2012...that party was live all night. #Clutch

What was your first record you bought? I snuck out when I was about 7 or 8 and picked up the Doggystyle tape..."It aint no fun" is still one of my favorite tracks to date.

Out of all the tunes you have, which one 'never fails?' Skool Boy - Be Her Man ....everybody loves a dance record

What's your favorite tune of all time? Man that's a hard question. I would have to say Michael Jackson "Off The Wall".

When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out? I like to eat so, a nice restaurant with some friends is always a plus for me. Honestly, I have a party spirit so if I'm not working on the weekends I try to hang out downtown at 152 with my guy Dj DNyce.

So how is the scene in your eyes at the moment? Monogamous... everybody is doing it.

How big is your vinyl collection? What do you think of CDJ's? I grew up in the Cassette tape, CD era so my Vinyl collection is pretty much non-existent. I personally think CDJ's a great, I personally use 1200 Technincs. It's all a matter of preference. I know one thing...a cdj weights lighter than a turntable smh.

Funniest thing that ever happened at an event? The funniest thing is watching some of these people dance. Certain songs bring out the best and worst in people, lol.

What are your feelings on the MC's? If you break my mixer you buy it, lol...but seriously. I like the MC's they keep the crowd motivated when needed.

What do you do outside of the dance music scene? I eat and sleep. I occasionally wake up and go to work to counsel adults that have had a rough life, but mostly eat and sleep, lol.


What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Promoters? Know how to play the game before you step foot in the gym. Know what you want to do, where you want to go, and go for it. Nothing comes over night. "If there is no struggle there is no progress" - Frederick Douglass

When you play is this pre planned set? No...I try not to get into a routine. I hate predictability. I always want to make you think I'm going a certain way and hit you with something to remember me by.

Where can you be found doing your thing? Catch me at Silver Spoon every Friday Night and other various locations throughout the week.

What music artist is motivating the music scene right now? 2 Chainz and Future...their "style" has motivated a lot of music being played at the moment.

If you could change anything about the night scene what would it be? The atmosphere. It seems like night life is getting monogamous. It needs to take a shift in a different direction and fast.

Do you feel the DJing game is changing if so how? Yes, I feel that it is not appreciated as it once was. There is more quantity than quality at the moment. The market has been cheapened and the DJ is losing its value to most promoters and club owners.

If you could pick any place you could spin at where would it be? The Ultra Music Festival...to be amongst that atmosphere would be epic. Also, a premier venue in Cali or Vegas would be clutch. I hear they party on a different level out there.

Anything you want to add before we close out? I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to do this. Thanks to all the people who believed that I could make it this far, but the journey isn't over yet. I still have a long way to go so stay tuned and keep rockin with me. #WePartyin

How can we find you on online? www.DjNuBreed.com or @Dj_NuBreed