» Words by Jee’Van Brown DJ Black definitely puts on for his city. Through his strong ties with Three 6 Mafia and a tour DJ position with Hyptonize Minds, DJ Black has brought a lot of shine on Naptown – and he doesn’t mind sharing the fruits of his labor. What have you been up to lately? I just took a lil’ time off since May, going through a personal situation, but everything is straight and I’m back. Everything’s still in effect with Three 6 Mafia, HoodRich, and my mix CDs, I just had to take some personal time for myself, for the first time in ten years. What’s your relationship with HoodRich? You combined efforts? For those that don’t know, that’s DJ Scream out of Atlanta. HoodRich is a crew of the hottest DJs putting the hottest music out in these streets. We got DJs Swamp Izzo, MLK, the names go on. We’re ready to take that movement to the next level. It’s like HoodRich street A&Rs. I’m also with Hittmenn DJs and I have my own crew taking off in January. As a street A&R, who do you think is the future of the Rap game? Lil Nut – he’s from Indianapolis. He’s got a real nice sound. You’ve got O.J Da Juice in Atlanta. Yung D. is a new member of Hypnotize Minds. He got a new single called “Damn” that we just shot a video for. Of course we got Lil Wyte and Chrome on Hypnotize Minds. Chrome got a single that’s blowing up the radio called “She Fine” featuring T-Pain. Now that your break is over, do you have plans to hit the road soon? I’m ‘bout to be on the road with the Nelly House of Blues Tour, the BET College Tour, and you’ll see me at anything Hypnotize Mindz and Three 6 Mafia has going on. What are some crazy things you’ve experienced while on the road? Honestly, when we perform on the road, we come in, do the show, and in less than ten minutes we are out the building and already on the
highway. We keep it business first. Really, the craziest thing I’ve experienced is when I walk out on stage and play the music and the crowd starts going crazy. It’s a good feeling every time. So you’re saying the perception of being on tour isn’t really what everyone might think? Touring is work. It’s a job, but it’s fun at the same time. When you start mixin’ fun and your job together, you start getting lazy and getting a big head. You put business second and ass first, and then slowly but surely you’ll start to fall off. Being on the road is overrated ‘cause most artists sleep every chance they get, wake up and do the venue, then go home. Where is your store located at? I know you’re closing one of the stores down. I work hands-on in my record stores. You can come to my store and DJ Black is gon’ serve you a CD. Holla at me at Dragged Up Music located on 34th and Keystone. It’s a Soundscan store. With most of your music family being in Memphis, do you see a big difference in their market and yours? When I go down to Memphis, they take my language and make fun of it in a joking way. But it’s kinda the same ‘cause don’t none of the artists get along. Everybody is just now starting to network. When people come together it makes everything easier for the city. Things are the same for that but as far as the people, Memphis is a lil’ more advanced. But don’t get it fucked up, there’s more than corn in Naptown. You have some strong feelings about “computer DJs,” huh? Man, I hate that shit! I hate the simple fact that it’s just the click of a mouse. You’re taking the art away from a mixtape. It’s not a mixtape, it’s a music CD. But I’m not hating the player, I’m hating the game. What else is going on with you? I got a set on Rap City for a whole week in January. My ten year anniversary is in January too.
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