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DJ FX - Hip-Hop Mix Video Vol. 1
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DJ FX - Hip-Hop Mix Video Vol. 2
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DJ FX is an up and coming DJ making his mark on the East Coast Party Scene. Working everything from Clubs to Frat Parties, DJ FX is known for mixing the hottest new joints in the rap game period.
Underground Rap Scene caught up with DJ FX to speak with him about his journey in the game:
Underground Rap Scene:
First of all I want to thank you for doing the interview.
When did you first decide that you wanted to be a professional DJ, and how did you get started?
DJ FX:
Like everyone else says, I've loved music since I was small listening to more cultural-based music then moving from radio hits to listening to old school tracks from the 80s and then onto the underground rappers.
The love for music turned into a desire to create and manipulate music. I knew a couple dudes who owned a pair of Tech 12s and knew I needed me a pair so I worked and saved up cash for 2 months without spending it on anything else. I went to the record store and dropped a grand on a pair of 1200s, a mixer, and headphones and thought I was straight. But I soon realized that I needed a few more paychecks before I could get everything I needed to get started.
Underground Rap Scene:
What is it like coming up in Phillidelphia and trying to make a name for yourself as a DJ?
Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make it in Philly's DJ scene? Also, what’s your favorite part about being from Phillidelphia?
DJ FX:
Philly is a great city to live in because there is just so much diversity. But it is different than in other cities like NYC because its small enough for you to know where you gotta be to meet people with the same things going for the and the same interests. Philly also has a lot of talent when it comes to DJing.
Greats like DJ Cash Money and Jazzy Jeff really set the standards and the people here recognize these standards and thats what makes Philly a really hard crowd. But like many DJs have said, once you master a Philly crowd, you can take over anywhere and I feel that I've definitely got a strong feel for what Philly crowds like.
Underground Rap Scene:
Could you explain how you got involved with Blend Junkies and what you have done with the group so far?
DJ FX:
Blend Junkies started out as a group of three DJs. Me, DJ KB, and DJ Asend. The name comes from our preference to blend tracks during mixes. Blending is the art of taking instrumentals from one track and the vocals/acapella from another track and laying them on top of each other and still allow it to sound natural. We continue to DJ together, share music, info, and kick it whenever we get the chance.
Underground Rap Scene:
I know you’ve been DJ'ing clubs and bars around the Philly area for some time now, as well as recently doing a bunch of parties in Boston. Could you share some of your experiences working in these cities and how the music you play is different depending where you are?
DJ FX:
Boston and Philly aren't that different in their preferences for music, but there are differences all the time depending on what your crowd is like. A college crowd prefers to go buc wild to party anthems and radio/club bangers while an international latin crowd could dance to soca, merengue, and reggaeton all night.
Underground Rap Scene:
Focusing on Boston's music scene for a second, I know regaton is huge in Boston as well as most of the Northeastern cities. How do people respond to your music? Do they support you when you play hip hop or is it mostly a regaton scene?
DJ FX:
Again, Boston and Philly are real similar in their musical preferences. The ladies looove the reggaeton so they love to dance to it so I love to play it haha. The fellas are a lot more into hip-hop. So you gotta carefully balance the type of music you play thats why its real important to read the crowd.
Although theres some Little Brother and Immortal Technique songs that I can really vibe to, girls aren't gonna grind to political rap and I'm sure the guys aren't gonna complain either when the girls really get down with some reggaeton. Again, its all about balance and the situation.
Underground Rap Scene:
Now back to your hustle, Could you name a DJ or artist who helped you out on your way to the top of the DJ game, if any, and explain how they helped you?
DJ FX:
The promoters and fans. If you don't have people who love music then there is no way to please them no matter how good you are. Its the fans that yell when you drop a banger or sing along to a classic that really keeps me going. And its also the promoters that continue to give me opportunities to play out to these type of crowds.
Underground Rap Scene:
What are your best and worst experiences DJ'ing?
DJ FX:
My best and worst would definitely have to be my first gig. It was an out of state gig and they flew me and DJ KB (1/3rd of the Blend Junkies) out to Cleveland. They paid for the flight, transportation, food, 4 star hotel! It was crazy and the party was wild, but it was the most nervous experience I had to ever go thru, but in the end we pulled thru good and everyone loved the hip-hop vibe that we brought from Philly.
Underground Rap Scene:
What are you currently working on, and when you aren’t busy perfecting your mixes, how are you spending your time?
DJ FX:
I'm always working on tracks and thinking of blends and remixes that I can throw together, but right now school has been really holdin me back from really focusing on the music. Hopefully in the summer I can start dropping more mixtapes and tracks. It really is a 24/7 hustle that you always gotta be putting yourself out there so you can take advantage of all the opportunities that come up.
Underground Rap Scene:
Who would you say is your biggest influence?
DJ FX:
Definitely the DJs that I spin with. Any gig that I get I usually find a DJ that will influence my style a little or they'll show me a technique that I never thought of and then after the gig I think about what I can throw on top to add a twist to anything I just picked up.
Underground Rap Scene:
Who are you listening to when you aren’t playing your own tracks?
DJ FX:
I really like to listen to pre-radio or pre-blowup artists and tracks just to gauge how much a like them without a bias from everybody else plus its tight to watch artists that you know have potential go from an unknown to the radio or tv.
Underground Rap Scene:
When do you expect to release your next album or mixtape?
DJ FX:
In February
Underground Rap Scene:
Could you touch on what you’ve learned from DJ'ing major college and University parties as well as DJ'ing at clubs and bars in two of the biggest cities in the country?
DJ FX:
I've learned that its impossible to not have fun doing this. Colleges and universities offer a lot of opportunities to show people your age what you're working with, you just gotta meet the right people and i feel that once you get the ball rollin it doesn't take much effort to stay in the limelight.
Clubs are craziness, if you've never seen a club get wild when you drop a banger then you're really missin out. Bars are just as fun, but its different in that you can meet a lot of chill people who are a lot more open-minded to the music that you play. At bars is where I get the most opportunity to experiment with new djing styles/techniques, test out new blends/remixes, and expose new artists.
Underground Rap Scene:
Finally, do you have any words to share with up and coming DJ's who are looking to get their names heard?
DJ FX:
It's all luck and by luck I mean when preparation meets opportunity. You can increase your luck by working on both. Stay on your grind with new music and your technical dj skills to prepare yourself. And get yourself out there to talk to as many other DJs, promoters, and party-throwers as possible. All you need is a couple right opportunities out of many rejections to get you started on where you wanna go.
Underground Rap Scene:
Before we leave, what is your booking information in case anyone wants to get at you to do a party?
DJ FX:
Hit me up @:
http://www.myspace.com/djfx7
djfx707@gmail.com
484-802-7276
Underground Rap Scene:
Thank you for your time.