INTERVIEWS - DJ SMALLZ

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DJ SMALLZ - Shoutout to Tokyo

DJ SMALLZ - Switzerland

DJ Smallz is the undisputed number one DJ in the south. He also runs Southern Smoke Radio every Thursday night from 12AM - 2AM, and he is the owner of Southpromo.com, a major marketing and advertising firm, as well as the owner of his artist development brand, Fear Factor. Underground Rap Scene caught up with DJ SMALLZ before he kicked off his college tour to see how he became such an entrepreneur in the rap world.

Underground Rap Scene:

Before we start, I want to thank you for doing the interview and let you know that you are truly an inspiration having accomplished so much at only 21 years old.

First of all, I know you were born outside the US, but grew up in Florida. What is it like coming up in Tampa, Florida and trying to make it in the rap game as a DJ? Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make it in Florida? Also, what's your favorite part about being from Tampa?

DJ SMALLZ:

I was born overseas when my father was stationed in the military then moved to Florrida when i was 3 years old... i been here in florida all my life living at different cities and recently moved to Tampa 2 years ago. The biggest advantage of living in Florida is this is the mecca of my music - southern hip hop. Biggest disadvantage is them damn hurricanes... they stop my studio time (laughing)!!!

Underground Rap Scene:

For all the DJs out there, could you explain your journey in the rap game to this point, and how you got your start DJing on a major level?

DJ SMALLZ:

My southern smoke series basically started as a demo tape to get club gigs. I was doing the southern smoke series when the south music wasnt hot in the mainstream... the after life of cash money and no limit so to speak... when the south popped off mainstream - the southern smoke movement followed suit... and the rest they say is history

Underground Rap Scene:

Did you receive a lot of support coming up or was it an uphill battle all the way?

DJ SMALLZ:

Definitely an uphill battle! i was playing southern music when the mainstream was on 50 Cent and East Coast music. I definitely didnt experience any love until the south popped off in the mainstream

Underground Rap Scene:

What would you consider your big break?

DJ SMALLZ:

Breaking artists such as David Banner, Pitbull and Chamillionaire

Underground Rap Scene:

What was the most memorable event that you DJed for?

DJ SMALLZ:

DJin' overseas in Canada, Japan and Switzerland last year! It was amazing to see clubs packed full just to see me perform and see how big the Southern Smoke brand has become not just on a regional or national level but an international level. And thats just im trying to do now - make this southern hip hop movement an international movement.

Underground Rap Scene:

I want to bring some attention to the Southern Entertainment Awards this past January where you took home the award for number one DJ in the South as well as the award for Mixtape of the year with "Southern Smoke 25." What do these awards mean to you, and what do you feel set you apart from the other nominees which included DJ Drama, DJ Ideal, Nu Jerzey Devil, DJ Skee, DJ Jelly, and DJ Khaled?

DJ SMALLZ:

Its a blessing to receive that award, because the streets voted for it. No politics or no gimmicks - the streets voted for me. 3 years i've been branding the Southern Smoke movement and now its starting to really collect the recognition its due.

Underground Rap Scene:

Being the number one DJ in the South, I know you have worked with some of the biggest and most influential people in the rap game. Could you describe some of your experiences working with major artists such as Lil Jon, Ludacris, and Three 6 Mafia as well as some of your experiences working with underground/up and coming artists?

DJ SMALLZ:

Crazy. Absolutlety crazy. i used to look at these artists from a fan point of view several years ago and now i step in the studio and work with them on projects or dj for them at a club... i feel extremely blessed to breathe everyday and work at a job i love
what i do - DJ.

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you run the Southern Smoke Radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio every Thursday night from 12-2AM. What is the best part about running a show on Sirius, and what have you learned from running Southern Smoke Radio?

DJ SMALLZ:

That i can play whatever i want to play and its explicit! Southern Smoke Radio is raw, uncut and uncensored and commercial free... if your tired of the clean edits on your local radio station i highly suggest you cop a sirius radio for your whip, crib or boat!!!

Underground Rap Scene:

Do you get a lot of room for creativity on your Siruius Satellite Radio show?

DJ SMALLZ:

Oh yes, thats the best part about it... there is so many politics with local radio nowadays, satellite radio is indeed a breathe of fresh air... the program directors at Sirius are wonderful

Underground Rap Scene:

What can we expect to hear when we tune into your Southern Smoke Radio show?

DJ SMALLZ:

The best 2 hours of your life! Its Raw, Uncut & Uncensored and commercial free, you cant get any better than that!!!

Underground Rap Scene:

As if being the number one DJ in the south and having your own show on Sirius Radio wasn't enough, I know you have SouthPromo.com, a marketing and advertising firm, which serves over 50 companies ranging from major record labels to clothing lines to video games. What are you trying to accomplish with SouthPromo.com and how have you made steps toward accomplishing those goals?

DJ SMALLZ:

SouthPromo.com is my baby... its come a long way in its exsistence. We have a steady clientele of over 50 companies and we handle everything from CD Samplers to Event Planning. There is a new website in the works, but for now check out the myspace profile: myspace.com/southpromo Taking it back to the independent and up and coming artists, tell us a little bit about your artist development brand Fear Factor.

Underground Rap Scene:

What inspired you to start this group, what are your expectations for it, and what have you accomplished with it so far? Who do you feel is the next artist to blow up from your Fear Factor brand?

DJ SMALLZ:

Fear Factor is Southern Smoke's sister-brand and is specifically designed as my artist development brand pointing all you a&r and record label reps to the hottest up and coming talent in the south. Fear Factor Music Group is a team of several tastemakers including Ozone Magazine, TJ's DJ's and several other companies that back artists from Florida to Texas that are really making noise in the underground and ready to break out in the industry. To check out several artists we're pushing check out the website: FearFactorMusic.com Looking toward the future,

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you are working on a reality television show called Southern Smoke TV. Could you tell us a little about the concept behind the show and what we can expect to see on Southern Smoke TV? Also, when do you expect the first episode to air?

DJ SMALLZ:

Southern Smoke TV is the next phase of media i'm focusing on and i'm working on it with QD3, the creator of the successful "Beef" Series. It will be the visual to the audio we put in the streets and on radio that people never get to see but are dying too. It includes going overseas with me to Japan and Switzerland, chillin' with Young Jeezy in the Trap and murdering the mic with Lil' Wayne on stage. The first episode is scheduled to air via Comcast this winter.

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you are working on the much anticipated "Southern Smoke" album. When do you expect to release this compilation album, and what is your favorite track that you have recorded for the album so far?

DJ SMALLZ:

I'm workin' with everybody in the south on this project. My favorite record on the album is the first single which is a unique lineup that's nothing like the industry has ever heard before. It's definitely history int he making.

Underground Rap Scene:

When you aren't busy in the studio how are you spending your time? And who are you listening to?

DJ SMALLZ:

If i'm not in the studio i'm watching a movie (i'm a huge dvd collector) or playing my PS3 or Wii (i'm a huge video game collector too).

Underground Rap Scene:

Who would you say is your biggest influence?

DJ SMALLZ:

DJ Clue - the godfather of mixtapes. He's the reason i was inspired to get into the industry to begin with.

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you are about to start your College Tour on March 1st, What do you like most about being on tour?

DJ SMALLZ:

I love seeing the people that come out to my events. The crowd is everything and its been nothing but love so far. We did the first show in Colorado and it was amazing... the event was 1000+ and it was sold out by 11pm... it was nuts.

Underground Rap Scene:

Finally, what advice do you have to give to any up and coming DJ who is trying to make a name for themselves?

DJ SMALLZ:

Grind 110% and work 25/8. Sleep is the cousin of death as they say, and i've been wide awake for the past 3 years.

Underground Rap Scene:

Here at Underground Rap Scene.com, we recently teamed up with DJ FX to help promote the site and up and coming artists through his mixes. You can view a sample of DJ FX's mixing skills on his interview page. Do you have any advice or comments for
DJ FX?

DJ SMALLZ:

DJ FX is doin his thing! Keep up the good work!!!

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank you for your time