Common “The Ladder” (New Music)
By BE'N ORIGINAL on Mar 14, 2014 04:44 pm
Check out Chicago bred hip hop legend Common’s contribution to HBO’s Catch the Throne Mixtape. Post your thoughts on “The Ladder.”
Gutiérrez – One of New York’s Best Open Format DJ’s
By BE'N ORIGINAL on Mar 14, 2014 01:16 pm
With so many DJs competing for New York top spots, there is only one thing you can do to set yourself apart –be better. Not only has Gutiérrez made a name for himself at several of the Big Apple’s best known nightclubs (Gansevoort Park (Red Room), HLB, SL, Tenjune, and more) but his corporate event clientele includes Ann Taylor, H&M, LivingSocial, Lord & Taylor and Jaguar USA. We sat down with the talented industry open-format DJ to discuss his meteoric rise.
What inspired you to become a DJ?
It’s actually an interesting story because it was never intended. My father introduced me to the art of DJing by buying me my first set-up when I was twelve. Both of my parents were frequent NYC club-goers during the Disco era and held close ties with DJs that were accepted into record pools (exceptionally difficult unlike today). I always held a passion for music & the arts alike, but it was nothing more than a hobby, as I was focused on sports all throughout high school. It wasn’t until my junior year of college, when I transferred to the University of Miami, that the idea of becoming a DJ remerged by seeing other DJs spin at college events. The attention, the money, but above all, the vibe & artistic ingenuity behind the music is what truly resurrected my interest.
It’s actually an interesting story because it was never intended. My father introduced me to the art of DJing by buying me my first set-up when I was twelve. Both of my parents were frequent NYC club-goers during the Disco era and held close ties with DJs that were accepted into record pools (exceptionally difficult unlike today). I always held a passion for music & the arts alike, but it was nothing more than a hobby, as I was focused on sports all throughout high school. It wasn’t until my junior year of college, when I transferred to the University of Miami, that the idea of becoming a DJ remerged by seeing other DJs spin at college events. The attention, the money, but above all, the vibe & artistic ingenuity behind the music is what truly resurrected my interest.
How did you get your start?
For my senior year of college, I transferred back to my original college, SUNY Albany. In my return to the New York Capital region, I would befriend a fellow DJ by the name of DJ Playground. It was his influence that would set the tone for my DJ style, learning to incorporate turntablist techniques into the nightclub scene. Being a highly, sought-out DJ, working 4-5 nights a week, I was able to observe first-hand & learn from Playground’s art form. From being under his tutelage, I would ultimately start getting my own work, and within time I ventured off into the NYC scene.
For my senior year of college, I transferred back to my original college, SUNY Albany. In my return to the New York Capital region, I would befriend a fellow DJ by the name of DJ Playground. It was his influence that would set the tone for my DJ style, learning to incorporate turntablist techniques into the nightclub scene. Being a highly, sought-out DJ, working 4-5 nights a week, I was able to observe first-hand & learn from Playground’s art form. From being under his tutelage, I would ultimately start getting my own work, and within time I ventured off into the NYC scene.
What kind of music do you spin on a regular basis?
My musical approach is event dependent. The style of play & music selection all depends on the type of venue, what promoters are seeking, or the type of event itself (private, wedding, dinner party, etc.). There are times that I strictly spin soulful, energetic/aggressive house music, while others I create a mellow, low-key, Nu-Disco/Indie Dance vibe. The majority of the events I spin for are open-format. You will hear all the hits, both classic and new, stemming from Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Top 40, Latin, Reggae, etc.
My musical approach is event dependent. The style of play & music selection all depends on the type of venue, what promoters are seeking, or the type of event itself (private, wedding, dinner party, etc.). There are times that I strictly spin soulful, energetic/aggressive house music, while others I create a mellow, low-key, Nu-Disco/Indie Dance vibe. The majority of the events I spin for are open-format. You will hear all the hits, both classic and new, stemming from Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Top 40, Latin, Reggae, etc.
What is the best/worst part of being a DJ based on your experiences?
There are certainly a fair share of perks & drawbacks to DJing. For me, watching the crowd erupt when you’re continuously dropping hits to create an explosive experience, not just playing records, is the most rewarding perk. Observing a packed room filled with hands in the air, screams, crowd sing-a-longs, non-stop dancing, sparklers, bottles popping, etc, is an indirect way of solidifying the fact that your product is worth paying for and following. As for the downside, it’s a very cutthroat industry. There will always be critics who will attempt to discredit your skill & brand to promoters & those in charge of booking talent. Thus, finding consistent work is a rigorous grind that has a tendency to become overwhelming.
There are certainly a fair share of perks & drawbacks to DJing. For me, watching the crowd erupt when you’re continuously dropping hits to create an explosive experience, not just playing records, is the most rewarding perk. Observing a packed room filled with hands in the air, screams, crowd sing-a-longs, non-stop dancing, sparklers, bottles popping, etc, is an indirect way of solidifying the fact that your product is worth paying for and following. As for the downside, it’s a very cutthroat industry. There will always be critics who will attempt to discredit your skill & brand to promoters & those in charge of booking talent. Thus, finding consistent work is a rigorous grind that has a tendency to become overwhelming.
Having rocked at some of New York’s best known venues, do you have any advice for aspiring DJ’s to keep the crowd moving?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked alongside very talented DJs at some amazing venues. In my opinion, the two most crucial pieces to bringing down the house are preparation & reading your crowd. When you’re DJ’ing in front of hundreds of attendees, it’s go time, there’s no time for mistakes. You need to be spot-on. It’s during your off-hours that you should be researching iTunes & Billboard charts, listening the radio, downloading music, cueing up records on your computer (do not play the whole song), physically practicing to see which songs mesh best, etc. Every day, I spend hours looking at music blogs, listening & downloading music, practicing, creating mixes, etc. It’s the only way to feel confident in your work/approach. When it comes time party rock, you take everything you worked on & apply it accordingly. The next step is reading your crowd. Within a couple of songs you should have a good indication as to what they want to hear. Once you see that you’re getting a positive response, keep playing similar material. If not, go way left to switch it up the vibe.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked alongside very talented DJs at some amazing venues. In my opinion, the two most crucial pieces to bringing down the house are preparation & reading your crowd. When you’re DJ’ing in front of hundreds of attendees, it’s go time, there’s no time for mistakes. You need to be spot-on. It’s during your off-hours that you should be researching iTunes & Billboard charts, listening the radio, downloading music, cueing up records on your computer (do not play the whole song), physically practicing to see which songs mesh best, etc. Every day, I spend hours looking at music blogs, listening & downloading music, practicing, creating mixes, etc. It’s the only way to feel confident in your work/approach. When it comes time party rock, you take everything you worked on & apply it accordingly. The next step is reading your crowd. Within a couple of songs you should have a good indication as to what they want to hear. Once you see that you’re getting a positive response, keep playing similar material. If not, go way left to switch it up the vibe.
Describe your favorite tools for your craft.
My equipment preference differs in one of two ways. If it’s an open-format party, I prefer using Technics 1200 turntables (w/ Shure M44-7 needles) and time-coded vinyl controls. There’s a lot of scratching & slam mixing incorporated when playing Hip-Hop & like genres, thus, this particular set-up works best. If the event calls for strictly house music, then I’m all about the Pioneer CDJ-2000s, as song transitions are longer & smoother. As far as a mixer preference, I used to prefer any 2-channel Rane mixer, but as House/Dance music continues to grow/dominate, I find myself leaning towards the Pioneer DJM-900 (4-channel mixer) due to its built-in effects. In both cases, I used Serato software on a MacBook Pro. Lastly, using earplugs to save my hearing is a must.
My equipment preference differs in one of two ways. If it’s an open-format party, I prefer using Technics 1200 turntables (w/ Shure M44-7 needles) and time-coded vinyl controls. There’s a lot of scratching & slam mixing incorporated when playing Hip-Hop & like genres, thus, this particular set-up works best. If the event calls for strictly house music, then I’m all about the Pioneer CDJ-2000s, as song transitions are longer & smoother. As far as a mixer preference, I used to prefer any 2-channel Rane mixer, but as House/Dance music continues to grow/dominate, I find myself leaning towards the Pioneer DJM-900 (4-channel mixer) due to its built-in effects. In both cases, I used Serato software on a MacBook Pro. Lastly, using earplugs to save my hearing is a must.
Where can our readers find you spinning these days?
Most recently, I was a bi-weekly resident DJ at renowned NYC hotspot, Tenjune, but it’s undergoing renovations. These days, I can be seen rocking out at Monarch Rooftop, Le Reve, & other spots throughout NYC. Also, I was just booked to spin for the Jaguar F-Type Coupe release event later this month. However, right now, the primary focus from my management team is venturing into other cities both domestic & foreign, most notably, where it all began, Miami.
Most recently, I was a bi-weekly resident DJ at renowned NYC hotspot, Tenjune, but it’s undergoing renovations. These days, I can be seen rocking out at Monarch Rooftop, Le Reve, & other spots throughout NYC. Also, I was just booked to spin for the Jaguar F-Type Coupe release event later this month. However, right now, the primary focus from my management team is venturing into other cities both domestic & foreign, most notably, where it all began, Miami.
What is the most common misconception about what you do?
“Anyone can do it, it’s easy.” Advancement in technology continues to make accessibility and the ability to spin music much easier, but that doesn’t guarantee that the art form itself is understood. It’s not as simple as moving a record back & forth & playing songs. It’s about generating an experience & taking your audience on a journey. I’ve been to venues where “DJs” play an iPod the entire time. Some “DJs” play the entire song, blends are a train-wreck, song transitions are random despite the fact they are the same BPM (beat per minute), etc. Sadly, the title of “DJ” has become saturated. Many want the image appeal since DJs have become modern-day rock stars.
“Anyone can do it, it’s easy.” Advancement in technology continues to make accessibility and the ability to spin music much easier, but that doesn’t guarantee that the art form itself is understood. It’s not as simple as moving a record back & forth & playing songs. It’s about generating an experience & taking your audience on a journey. I’ve been to venues where “DJs” play an iPod the entire time. Some “DJs” play the entire song, blends are a train-wreck, song transitions are random despite the fact they are the same BPM (beat per minute), etc. Sadly, the title of “DJ” has become saturated. Many want the image appeal since DJs have become modern-day rock stars.
The post Gutiérrez – One of New York’s Best Open Format DJ’s appeared first on .
Read in browser »
Yg ‘My Krazy Life” (Full Album Stream Preview)By @JayDubb310 on Mar 13, 2014 09:45 pm
Compton Rapper YG drops one of the most anticipated West Coast albums of the year. “My Krazy Life” is packed with features from some of the biggest names in the rap game. Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Jeezy, Rich Homie Quan and Drake come together to show their support for the “Toot it & boot it” hit maker. Check out the album and cop yours on itunes now.
1. “The Put On Intro”
2. “Bpt”
3. “I Just Wanna Party” f. ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock
4. “Left, Right” f. DJ Mustard
5. “Bicken Back Being Bool”
6. “Meet the Flockers” f. Tee Cee
7. “My Nigga” f. Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan
8. “Do It To Ya” f. TeeFLii
9. “Me & My Bitch” f. Tory Lanez
10. “Who Do You Love?” f. Drake
11. “Really Be (Smokin’ N Drinkin’)” f. Kendrick Lamar
12. “1Am”
13. “Thank God (Interlude)” f. Big TC & RJ
14. “Sorry Momma” f. Ty Dolla $ign
2. “Bpt”
3. “I Just Wanna Party” f. ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock
4. “Left, Right” f. DJ Mustard
5. “Bicken Back Being Bool”
6. “Meet the Flockers” f. Tee Cee
7. “My Nigga” f. Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan
8. “Do It To Ya” f. TeeFLii
9. “Me & My Bitch” f. Tory Lanez
10. “Who Do You Love?” f. Drake
11. “Really Be (Smokin’ N Drinkin’)” f. Kendrick Lamar
12. “1Am”
13. “Thank God (Interlude)” f. Big TC & RJ
14. “Sorry Momma” f. Ty Dolla $ign
| ||||||||||||
|
