Who’s Got Next is always bringing you the best in the biz that have their buzz running. Well this issue is no different…however we have our very first DJ!!!!!
DJ ASAP is that dude! He’s only been in the business for a few years, but in that time he’s done gigs on the level of a Clue or Envy! This young and savvy gentleman brings his life and energy to XI magazine and if what they say is true, everything is bigger in Texas cuz this dude’s swag is HUGE…all while being funny and humble enough to admit he bust his a** to learn the game and grow to where he is.
So pull out your copy of Juice (DJ Q was the best fictitious DJ ever *IMO*), fake a scratch on your keyboard (whiggy whiggy whiggy) and get to know DJ ASAP!
XI: Who are you and what do you do?
Who am I & what do I? …hmm, I am cold mutha (shut yo mouth) …can I say that? No, but really, I am DJ ASAP & I am the future! *laughs*
XI: Where are you from?
Shreveport, LA but I reside in Dallas Texas
XI: When did you first fall in love with music?
Oct 14, 1986 *his born date
XI: When did you start DJ’ing and why?
In 2006, so I am approaching my 4th year in the business. I made the decision that I am going to do what I want to do. I love music. Basically I started doing it cause it made sense gosh darn it! *laughs*
XI: Why a DJ and not an artist?
Hmm, I can’t rap, but I can sing though. Its just harder being an R&B singer than a rapper. I would’ve been a producer if nothing else because I like making music. I want to control the music and make it do what I want it to do.
XI: How did you begin to make a name for yourself?
Honestly, I was just everywhere I could be. If I had a free night I was in the club or where I needed to be. I wasn’t there partying, but networking. I was talking to promoters and DJ’s; making sure the DJ gave me a shout out. I was making sure people could put a name with my face.
XI: Who are some of the DJ’s that you look up to?
Tony Neal, DJ Drop, Definition DJ & DJ Krave
XI: What is your take on the effect of the digital age on the “art” of DJ’ing?
I personally feel as far as DJ technology has come, that nothing has been taken away. Yes, the pioneers of DJ’ing might feel a certain way about the digital age of DJ’ing, but I love it. I prefer CDJ’s techniques compared to mono techique with 1200’s. At the end of the day it’s a personal preference.
XI: Do you still use traditional turntables?
No, when individuals or companies book me they normally have all the equipment there for me, so I really don’t get use the traditional style turntables.
XI: What are some of the tricks that you do when playing an event?
I fee like I am one of the few DJ’s that still scratches during their sets. A lot of DJ’s don’t blend either. They will play the whole song all the way through, not me! I also uses a effects in my mixes & funny movie quotes. Finally, I challenge myself to play 20 songs in 3 minutes towards the end of my set.
XI: How do you choose the playlists for each event that you do?
Nah, I just go in there and read the crowd. I cant go into a club and be predictable. There are a plethora of DJ’s out there that are getting too predictable with their sets. People at an event shouldn’t know what song I am playing next or know what I am going to do. There is no fun in that.
XI: Who is ASAP, the man aside from the turntables and vinyl?
ASAP the man is a clown *laughs* Nah, he is smart & witty young man. He is an entrepreneur. He is someone everyone should know. Dammit, I am funny, talented & quick on my feet. ASAP is three people in one…I have to be.
XI: If you had to equate music to a woman…how would you describe her?
If it was the girl of my dreams… She would be 85 BPM (beats per minute), have a nice kick to her (a drum snare) and the best 808’s in the world. She would be lyrical and she wouldn’t be bourgeoisie. She wouldn’t be a dance song because I would want her to last longer than a month. I’d want her timeless like a Jay-z song. Every-time I hear her she would blow my mind. I would say OWW every time like it’s the last time!
XI: What are your thoughts on female DJ’s and do you have any favorites?
I would love to see more female DJ’s. That is one of the sexiest things in the world to me; to be able to be a female and actually DJ & know music. See, a lot of women say they want to DJ, but they don’t have the knowledge and aren’t willing to put in the time. My faves would be DJ Princess Cut & DJ EQE.
XI: How was Spring Bling and how did you get hooked up with BET?
Spring Bling was a lot. (hahaha) It was one of the biggest events in my career thus far. It was a great experience & I am thankful to have that experience and that time under my belt. I got to meet & network with several great individuals that I admire & look up to. It complimented what I did for Sprite on a national level.
I got linked up with BET through my PR girl Successful, she works for them. I have a great team and they are always working hard for me.
XI: You also DJ’d the Sprite Step Off, how was that experience?
It kinda compares to BET Spring Bling. I got to DJ in front of thousands of people, then in turn millions when MTV2 broadcasted it. It was a great experience and I learned a lot from the event.
XI: Have you heard of or been to the Scratch Academy in NYC?
I’ve heard of it but I’ve never been.
XI: How would aspiring DJ’s go about learning the art?
I think aspiring DJ’s need to do research. I literally stayed in Guitar Center. If I had a free hour at any time, it was spent in there. I would be talking to sales associates, learning the products and equipment. I wanted to get familiar with all of the equipment and I wanted the right things for me; not what someone else said I needed to have.
XI: Finally, what advice do you have for the aspiring DJ’s out there?
Understand that it won’t happen overnight. I would get upset when I would see a DJ do something I couldn’t do yet, but it takes time. I am perfectionist and so I would simply practice. Just as if you played a sport you have to practice to become great!
DJ ASAP is well on his way to being one of the hottest and most talked about DJ’s out there. Though he’s killing the Texas circuit, he’s branched out further than the land of Barbeque. He’s doing his thing and we appreciate that he gave XI the time to catch up with him, with all that he’s got going on.
We will continue to keep our eyes on this burgeoning phenom and in the meantime, feel free to click some of the links to check him out in action and download his mixtape as well!
Miss Pitch and I are off to pretend we are DJ ASAP as we play a round of DJ Hero! Bet she beats me! *whiggy whiggy whiggy*
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I see you AsaP…..nice interview…….DALLAS STAND UP!!