DJ YungNas interview | Respect the Dj interview

How did you get into DJing?

When I was little I was always going to New York that's where my family from. Every Time I was up there I would love to listen the radio Hot97. The radio was always making me shake my head. The djs were nice. When I got older I started to follow djs like FunkFlex, DjBobby trends, and lots of other djs in New York. I decided to take djing seriously when I heard Dj Diamond Kutz from Philly’s Power 99. She inspired me the day I heard her. Everyday in highschool at a certain time I would turn her on just to listen to the music she was mixing. I always had a passion for it. I always loved listening to radio djs because streaming music it gets boring after a while so i always loved to play with music. I wanted people to see me and know who I am. 

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

I advanced my skill/knowledge by doing a bunch of research. My biggest goal was to learn how to scratch but before that I had to learn how to mix songs together first so I learned that first before anything. I watched a lot of youtube videos. The main videos were DJTLM and DigitalDJtips. They really helped a lot . 

What did your first setup look like?

My first setup was for my controller a DJ Hercules Compact controller lol.My laptop was a HP notebook 15, and I Had no speakers at time. I wasn't really worried about speakers because I wanted to be comfortable learning how to dj first before i start investing in dj equipment. 

What does your current setup look like?

My current setup now is a Pioneer Sb2 as a controller and a Numark Mixtrack pro 3 I alternate back and forth depending on the type of party. My speakers are harbingers 15” inch, They are really good speakers. My computer is a Macbook air 13 inch (2017), I have a wireless microphone system and they are gemini’s 

How did you get your DJ/Artist name?

I changed my name 3 times before I came to DjYungNas. My first name was DJ Nazy Nas at first I thought it was cool when I was like 16 years old but I did some research and turns out that someone already had it so i had to change it. The next name was DJ NiJ, The reason why I chose that was because of my name Naseem i. Jonson. I just took the first letter of my name. Next was lil nas but then my friend was like “ Yo lil nas” and it hit me that this sounds like a rapper name, Im not a rapper. Then lastly I came up with DJ Yung Nas, Just saying it, it comes together perfectly, Especially when people say it, It sounds perfect. So thats how I came up with DJ Yung Nas. 

If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?

3 events that I would love to DJ is Summer Jam for Hot97. That would be a dream come true I would also love to Dj Rolling Loud which would be really big. Lastly I would DJ for spring break concerts in MIami FL, That would be fire.

If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?

If I could dj in any 3 cities It would Be New York, Los Angeles, And Miami 

If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

I would dj for Travis scott his energy he brings to the concerts are just amazing. I would Dj for Gunna and lastly I would dj for Dababy. 

What is your goal when you play live?

When I play live my goal is to make sure everyone is litt. I want to make sure their dancing, singing, and going crazy to the music.

 What's your go to song right now?

My go to song right now is Suge By Dababy 

What is your dream as a DJ?

My dream as a DJ is to Have a spot on any major market HipHop/Urban radio station 

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?

It depends if their young I would say Watch videos about Instagram engagement, Practice your dj skills everyday, Remember quality over quantity, and Don’t let anything stop you, distract you from your goal, and the biggest one is please don”t procrastinate. I seen it happen to many people that could’ve been this but got influenced by other things like hanging out with the wrong crowd. Find you a Dj friend that can help stay motivated. I have always told myself that I don’t need help and this other stuff but eventually you will. You will need a team of people you can trust. Watch for people who really like what you do and for the people who are just their because they see your a success. 

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.) 

Instagram: @DJYungNas

Twitter @DJYungnas

Mixcloud: @DjYungNas

Soundcloud @Djyungnas

Youtube: @ Yung Nas 

DJ Empra Interview | Respect the DJ Interview

How did you get into DJing? 

- I got into DJing in around 2010/2011 because a friend of mine produces Hands-Up music and played it out on a german web radio. After that i saw the Tomorrowland aftermovie and i got hooked!

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

- Watch a lot of youtube tutorials and asked my friend from the web radio for feedback in terms of DJing and producing music. Having a mentor really helps out.

What did your first setup look like?

- Straight up a Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 and Virtual DJ haha.

What does your current setup look like?

- Using a Pioneer XDJ RX with Rekordbox right now, will switch to CDJ's and a DJM soon.

How did you get your DJ/Artist name?

- So my last name is "Emperor" in english and when me and some friends had a DJ-Name brainstorming session someone accidentally said "Empra" because he spelled Emperor wrong. Pretty lame story but the name kinda fits.

If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?

- Since i already got a taste of what it feels like to stand on the Tomorrowland Mainstage together with Fedde Le Grand when we premiered my Remix of "Like We Do" it's kinda tough to say. Gotta be Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Untold Festival in Romania and of course EDC.

If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?

- New York City, London and a lot of citys in Asia (Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul).

If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

- Since I'm an EDM Artist i gotta stay in the Industrie. Besides Fedde Le Grand i think touring with Martin Garrix would be amazing. His Shows are next level, he is humble, got an amazing team and is just one of my idols in general.

What is your goal when you play live?

- To build an emotional connection with my audience through my music. I want to share my music with the world and try to lift up people's lifes with my tracks. Getting everyone in the same emotional place just with music is an insane feeling.

What's your go to song right now?

- Probably "feelings" by Lauv. I think he is one of the best Pop Artists of this generation.

What is your dream as a DJ?

- Closing the Tomorrowland Mainstage, having my own record label to give new talent a place to share their music because i want the future of EDM to be as bright as ever. I want people to start living their dreams and to stop being scared. Life's too short to be scared.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?

- Accept the fact that i will take a while until you finally get to play decent shows and produce good music. Everyone sucks at the beginning. It takes time to develop skills. Never give up and try to do your best everyday, show up everyday and put in the work everyday. It's a tough road to pursue what you really want in life but things that are worth it never come easy. If you really love what you do, you will be successful in the end. Always surround yourself with people who are better than you, be open for critique and keep on dreaming big. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't turn your dreams into reality!

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.)

- Instagram: @empra_music, spotfiy: empra,soundcloud.com/djempra,facebook.com/djempra
- Facebook:facebook.com/djempra
- Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1K1ZkTQCjpVZrChPZhkw6U?si=aeO2pwb7TLe7hM509c1dXw
- Soundcloud:soundcloud.com/djempra

Dj Karan Interview | Respect the Dj Interview

How did you get into DJing? 

Lets say, It all just fell into place like it was bound to happen without me knowing about it. I love music and everything to do with music. In my Childhood, I was attached to my Radio Cassette Player, It was a prized possession which I would not let people touch. Moving on my parents enrolled in music classes where I learned to play instruments like the Piano and then the Drums. But then came the time of creating my own music and performing live, that’s what exactly sparked my interest and ultimately led to DJ’ing. 

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

Observation, time and practice. I tend to observe people around me from all aspects of life and take the positives out of them, which always fueled my desire to learn and raise my skillset to a level higher than I am.  Giving time and practicing what I have learned ensured that I master those skills. 

What did your first setup look like?

Nostalgia right there, but you will not believe my performance players were Denon Dual CD players - DND 4500 and a numark mixer. My home studio setup was even Fl Studio 1.0, Sony Acid which merely had the step sequencers but all of it was fun. :)

What does your current setup look like?

My performance setup is the industry standard, 4 CDJ 2000 nexus 2, DJM 900 Nexus 2. As far as my home studio goes, I use FL studio 20 as my DAW, Akai Professional MPC Mini as my Midi Controller, Shure SM58 for Vocals . 

How did you get your DJ/Artist name?

To be honest, when I started I did not care much about a stage name, I was just busy with my music. Therefore, My Artist name is my own first name, DJ Karan. 

If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?

I play a very open format set, which includes various genres taking the entire crowd on a journey. If I were to look at the crowd’s energy, I would definitely say Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Tomorrowland and Amsterdam Dance Event. 

If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?

Ibiza, Vegas, Japan.

If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

Michael Jackson. 

What is your goal when you play live?

To make sure everyone is moving, sending out positive vibes right there. 

What's your go to song right now?

Babarabatiri (David Penn Remix) 

What is your dream as a DJ?

I am living the dream. And it is only going to get bigger and better. 

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?

Focus on the music. 

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.)

www.therealdjkaran.com

www.instagram.com/therealdjkaran

www.facebook.com/therealdjkaran

Mark Teodosio is Not like the other kids

I was only FILIPINO on my block. A Fil-Am (FILIPINO AMERICAN) raised on 51st Street in Sunset Park, Bklyn, NY. I was bullied for being asian in a largely Latino-based neighborhood until I was welcomed into a circle that embraced my unique heritage. There wasn’t a masculine representation like Manny Pacqiuao punching our flag and culture through the news at that time. The 90s was a very powerful era to be raised in New York and I’m honored to have been bred in the thoroughest borough.

I started off with a passion for Hip Hop. The element of emceeing was my choice of weapon and I battled in schoolyards, street corners, countless cyphers and earned my respect freestyling and recording music until my first stage in the College of Staten Island. I went off to Stonybrook University and won my first official rap battle (when rappers really freestyled like 8 mile, lol). I spent a couple years seasoning myself in the underground scene experiencing the hardships an artist goes through in one of the most critical communities in the world.

After some transitions in my pursuit of Hip Hop I also had an underlying passion for comicbooks and writing stories. It led me from Omin Child to Mark Marvel to Mark Teodosio. My cousin, Marlon Ramos, passed away in 2013 and it took quite some time under the moniker of Mark Marvel to realize that I’d enter a new industry. I went through a rough path as Mark Marvel and fought through it with a passion for Christ, a pure heart full of determination & a consistent work ethic with a long term vision. Now I’m the Creator of the First FILIPINO Street Hero, the Realest Bayani and founded TCNY: The City Needs You. An indie-comicbook publisher that wasn’t like the other kids that seperated himself from the rest with creativity. It’s only now that I thank Dave for all the bookmarks he made that always reminded me,” DONT STOP DREAMING” and look what that made me! Dreamer of the Month! Power to everyone that takes the time out to read this.

Don’t wait for anyone to manage you or give you life changing advice just #BeYourOwnHero & always remember #TheCityNeedsYou!

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