1. Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a successful DJ?
I have to say being a successful Dj started long before I saw my man Dj Buck spinning when I was just 13. Although he was the first Dj I saw, the love for music came from my parents. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I say that because in my opinion, it’s not the equipment that makes the Dj, it’s his/her knowledge of music that separates those who are good and those who become well known.
I would also say my love for Hip-Hop as a culture had a lot to do with my success. It was Hip-Hop that helped me appreciate the different genres of music. At 54, I grew up with Hip-Hop. I remember hearing “Super Rhymes” by Jimmy Spicer and Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and knew exactly where the music originated. My knowledge of music is definitely a huge part of my success as a Dj.
Lastly, there is no way I’d be where I’m at today without some of the relationships I’ve created over the years. I would still be Dj Finesse but not in the capacity I am now without Hip-Hop legends Masta Ace and Special Ed. Ace and I met in college when he was a senior and I was an incoming freshman at the University of Rhode Island. Ace introduced me to Hip-Hop on a grand scale. After he graduated and moved back to Brooklyn, I went to visit him every chance I got. Those weekend trips to NY in the late 80’s definitely set the stage for my future.
Special Ed I met because of Ace. It was Ed that brought me with him to Bet’s 106th & Park to be his Dj for a performance of his classic hit, “I Got It Made”. After shooting that show, Ed set it up for me to shoot Rap City The Basement with Big Tigg. After recording those two shows, every record label came calling and from that point it was game on! Like Ace, Ed and I are still friends to this day.
2. You’ve had the opportunity to work with some big names in the industry, including Bad Boy Entertainment. What was it like working with them, and how did that experience shape your career?
Working for that record label was an amazing time in my career. When you are connected to that label and its rich history of iconic artists, you can’t help but feel you were a part of something special. Although my introduction to the label came from Hen Roc, my main guy at the label was Rich Dollaz. From 2004-2011 I was able to do so much as a Dj. A lot of what I was able to accomplish happened because I shared Rich’s vision when it came to breaking records and introducing new artists. That approach made it easy for him and I to connect. To this day we are still really cool.
As a Dj for the label and NOT Diddy himself, I was able to move like an artist. Whether it was overseas or NBA All-Star and Super Bowl weekends, I was able to understand the power of branding. Bad Boy was one of the most successful and influential record labels in the history of music. Being a Dj for that label gave me instant credibility. I made so many connections and relationships that I’ve maintained till this day. I’m blessed to have had that opportunity.
3. Speaking of Bad Boy, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the label recently. What is your stance on the situation, and how do you think it will affect the industry moving forward?
Bad Boy as a label is a thing of the past, but when you hear the name in any music conversation you automatically think of Puff. The controversy is his and his cross to bear, not mine or any artist who was on the label not implicated in any wrongdoing. I hope former artists from the label aren’t guilty by association because that would be unfair. The issue with Diddy is a human issue. He isn’t the first man to be accused of these accusations and unfortunately he won’t be the last. Because he is an iconic figure, the issue is more polarizing.
Because of my past affiliation with the label, I have been asked to weigh in on the issue and my response remains the same. I was not in his inner circle so I have no knowledge of his personal affairs. I literally was around him at most 5 times in the 7 years I was involved with the label.
I’m not sure the implication this will have on the industry. What I know is, hurt people hurt people. This is a human issue not an industry issue. If true, this is about control and an abuse of power. Unfortunately for him, if these accusations go unfounded, in the public eye he is already guilty. Conversely, anyone found guilty of these charges should be held accountable no matter who you are.
4. You’ve been in the industry for quite some time now. How have you seen it evolve over the years, and where do you see it going in the future?
I’ve been blessed to see Hip-Hop go from being called a “Fad” to a global world changing art form. I remember friends in my elementary school telling me it would never last to now watching their kids grow up loving Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop being played only on college radio to now played on every commercial radio station across the country. I saw its NYC origin to see it embraced in every country on the planet.
I’ve watched every aspect of the culture evolve with technology. I see elements of Hip-Hop in everything from sports to clothing. Artists being cast in movies, TV shows and commercials as well as sports halftime shows. Imagine a world void of Hip-Hop? I think you get the point.
In the future I see a shift coming. Every 20 years history repeats itself and I feel it’s going back to full ownership. Labels will no longer own the rights to artist music or publishing. With the internet, social media and streaming, artists have become their own label. We have the ability to reach millions with the click of a button. Marketing and promotion with the emergence of social media influencers have become the new billboards. With social media, you’re going to see a lot more collaborations. We do need to be careful though because people may confuse talent with popularity.
5. What advice do you have for aspiring DJs who are just starting out in the industry?
The best advice I can give is the advice I wished I’d learned when I first started. As a motivational speaker I often talk about chasing value instead of chasing the bag. “Value Is The True Currency” is not only a merch item of mine, it’s become the mantra for the Finesse Your Lifestyle Brand. It’s a hard concept to grasp when so many are starving for their big break. I can tell you I’ve put this to use time and time again later in my career, and without fail, it is spot on! Now, my focus isn’t finding opportunities for me to spin, I look for opportunities where I can be of service.
If you find ways to be of value and help enough people get what they want, you will have everything you want. This mindset is a huge reason why I am still relevant today with more and more opportunities to work, collaborate, and partner with brands.
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