YPs I had the opportunity and honor to do a phone interview with North and South Carolina’s own, Skillz the DJ aka The Next Great American DJ aka The Mash Out Kid for YPBlogSpot’s first ever interview.  DJ Skillz’s resume is an indication that he makes it happen YPs.  I learned quite a bit about Skillz during our conversation and one of the things I learned was that he’s accomplished so much already in his career but he still has an appetite to be better and be great.  DJ Skillz is a college dropout but that didn’t deter him from being and becoming a DJ standout.  A man on a mission to be the best DJ in the game with a resume that most DJs his age would be content with for their career, DJ Skillz has just scratched the surface. 

          DJ Skillz has a resume that consists of 9 tours and counting with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent to name a few.  In addition, Skillz has hosted over 30 major events from President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Weekend to Grammy Parties to All-Star Weekend and college basketball tournament sporting events to Soul Festivals with legends that were making music when he wasn’t even born.  DJ Skillz’s resume is a testimony to his versatility as a DJ and showmanship separates him from average DJs.  In this interview, DJ Skillz shares his beginnings, his goals, his experiences and his plans for a successful future.  Enjoy YPs.  I have provided links to DJ Skillz’s website, myspace page, twitter, youtube videos and booking information below the interview.

“If you don’t expect greatness from yourself, then who else will expect it from you.”

 YPBlogSpot:  How did you get the name DJ Skillz?

DJ Skillz:  Some of my homies in high school gave me the name because I use to play ball, dj, do turntablist tricks along with rocking parties; so it stuck with me.

YPBlogSpot:  How did you get your foot in the door and what was your first DJ gig?

DJSkillz:  Me and 2 of my partners use to throw parties, that I would DJ, at this spot called the Savannah Grove Hall, in my hometown, Florence, SC; that only held 300 people but I would have 600 people in attendance partying inside and outside of the venue.  And I did a lot of traveling up and down the east coast with different established DJs, to all types of events, shows, concerts and basically through apprenticeship and being anywhere and everywhere learning from established DJs and perfecting my craft.

YPBlogSpot:  What are some of your past projects that you are most proud of? 

DJSkillz:  I did a College Dropout Mixtape with Kanye West and a couple of R&B Mix-Tapes with R&B Singer/ Song-Writer”Rell”. 

YPBlogSpot:  What’s the biggest event/party you ever DJ’d?

DJSkillz:  Obama’s Inaugural Weekend because that’s history! Nelly/Destiny’s Child Tour After-Party there were between 1500-2000 people in attendance; that was early in my career:  Soul Music Festival with Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Doug E. Fresh, Chubb Rock, Slick Rick, Music Soulchild & Monica which was crazy because some of the artists are legends that were making music before I was born which is a testimony to the versatility of my DJ style.  And Doug E. Fresh and I have done over 12 shows/events together.   

YPBlogSpot:  What projects are you currently working on?

DJSkillz:  I’m working on a few series of mixtapes that I plan to drop 1^stquarter (Mid and End of February).   The Hall of Justice Mixtape Series I’m working on with my homie DJ Flash (Little Brothers DJ), A 90’s R&B Mixtape Series along with a Best of Roc-A-Fella Mixtape Series. 

YPBlogSpot:  What do you have in store for your party going followers for 2010?

DJSkillz:  More energy!  Whatever I dished out before, I’m just dishing out more and basically showing people a good time.

YPBlogSpot:  What are some of your best moments as a DJ?

DJSkillz:  I would have to say when I first started: different tours, after parties, being involved in the ROC-A-FELLA Movement, along with different club moments. 

YPBlogSpot:  Do you see yourself rocking party’s internationally?

DJSkillz:  Yes, Within the next couple of years that’s what me and management are working on.  I want more so I’m not settling!

YPBlogSpot:  What is your “go to” record to get the party jumping when all else fails?

DJSkillz:  I wouldn’t say I have one record.  Most DJs go to what’s ”hot” at the moment but I would say my ”go to” records would have to be the “Classics”.  The ”Classics” never fail and I like to put together a set that builds the crowd up for a knockout blow.    

YPBlogSpot:  Who is the most underrated DJ?

DJSkillz:  ME! I feel like being from the Carolinas, which some people look at like the “Black Hole”, puts me in an under dogs position,  and when I meet different people for the first time they always question my Hip-Hop and music knowledge but once they hear me DJ an event/party they be like ok.  But I put pressure on myself to strive for greatness. 

YPBlogSpot:  What separates a good DJ from a great DJ?

DJSkillz:  Showmanship! A great DJ knows 90%-99.9% of their music and probably knows 30-40 years of music, along with they know how to entertain and make the records work for them.  Any DJ can play records but all dj’s CAN NOT entertain.  So I would say showmanship definitely separates a good DJ from a great DJ.

YPBlogSpot:  What do you feel separates you from other DJs?

DJSkillz:  My style and versatility is far beyond my years.  I think of myself as an artist and I make sure something is always going on and demand crowd participation.

YPBlogSpot:  What would you say are the perks of being a DJ?

DJSkillz:  Getting Things for Free!  Merchandise, music, backstage passes and rubbing shoulders with industry taste makers, artist, and entertainers.

YPBlogSpot:  What’s the funniest and/or craziest thing that ever happened at an event?

DJSkillz:  Funniest thing, which some people may not consider funny, but I was at this club and the stage was a pretty high stage and a couple of dudes bought this  female on stage, who was a bit intoxicated, to dance but she takes it a level further.  She wanted to dance on the speakers which were sitting about 12-15 feet.  So she climbs up on the speakers and starts dancing and falls off the speakers into the crowd and unfazed she hops right back up and hopped back on stage and I stopped the music and couldn’t help but laugh and make a remark to her and the crowd. “3-4 shots of Patron = no standing on anything in the club over 4 feet tall!”  Craziest thing that ever happened was: a Lady that attended this Anthony Hamilton’s Grammy Party I was playing at told me that she had an orgasm dancing to the music I was playing.  She said, “You put me in a mental zone and I just started to shake.  I couldn’t help myself.”  And I thought that was crazy!  She shook my hand and told me thanks.   Wow!  Is that a compliment or what?  

YPBlogSpot:  How do you feel about the current state of music?  Specifically, Hip-Hop and R&B?

DJSkillz:  Hip-Hop is in a good place.  Hip-Hop is coming back around and talking about real issues that people can relate to.  Music is suppose to be good for the soul and artists are beginning to talk about real issues instead of money and having this and that.  R&B is always going to be good.  Hip-Hop could be in a better place but I think people in the industry have an old mentality that doesn’t work with new technology (Internet).  The Internet can be used to your advantage in so many ways and I think a lot of artists and execs don’t realize how to use it to work smarter. 

YPBlogSpot:  Who do you feel is the next big artist, and why?

DJSkillz:  J. Cole, Jay Electronica, and Drake.  J. Cole has a throwback style and that Jay-Z stamp of approval and Drake made his mark so we’ll see.   

YPBlogSpot:  What artists coming out of North Carolina are going to make a splash in the music industry, if any?

DJSkillz:  Flauce, Royal- Tee, Dirty Ben, Rain, P- Wonda, Small World and Pooh Bear, he’s an R&B artist who is like the next Ruben Studdard.  I also rep South Carolina and they have some artists such as Continental GT, Primo Star, Lil Brod, Sauce and a lot more.  I know I’m forgetting some but there’s a lot so I’m a stop there. 

YPBlogSpot:  Do you plan on hosting any mixtapes for any artists in the future?

DJSkillz:  I’m working on mixtapes for two artists; one name is Flauce (NJ/Raleigh, NC) and the other is Royal-Tee (Charlotte, NC) both projects will drop this spring so they’ll heat up the summer.

YPBlogSpot:  What would you say has mostly contributed to your success thus far; and where do you see yourself in 5 years?

DJSkillz:  Staying grounded, humble, being a student of the game and a positive mindset.  5 years from now I see myself being international and at the top!

YPBlogSpot:  What advice do you have for YPs(Young Professionals) looking to be successful?

DJSkillz: Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do anything.  If you want it, go after it and work hard for it!  “Slow money is for show money!”  If you don’t expect greatness from your self, then who else will expect it from you.

Contact DJ Skillz:

Website: http://www.skillzthedj.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/djskillztheleader

Twitter: @SkillztheDJ

YouTube: DJ Skillz “The Next Great American DJ

     Doug E Fresh & DJ Skillz

Booking: Eric Terry (404) 663-1440

Talent Mgmt: Eric Terry Promotions|B.E.Side Management

Media/Press: eterry43@yahoo.com | besidemanagement@gmail.com   

Interview by YPRuck, Young Professionals Writer