InkSpired Magazine Issue No. 34 | Page 48

How long have you been playing drum and bass? I’ve been listening to drum and bass since 1994 and performing at shows since 1998. I heard it at early raves in Philly, NYC, and D.C. and fell in love with it immediately. I come from hip hop and thought it was the perfect music to flow to. How did you get your start? I was MCing at rap battles and hip hop shows in west and south Philly. I knew of a hip hop/ EDM club that was opening up called Space on Front Street and my friend, Shannon was hired as a model and door personality. She brought me into the owners to hire me and they asked what talent I had that could add to the energy of the club. I started freestyle rapping for them and they hired me immediately. I soon went from being a promoter and working the door to MCing inside the club for every major drum and bass and hip hop DJ that came through, as well as our crew at the time, Substitution. Then, I started a residency, at the now defunct, Fluid at a DnB nightclub called, Platinum. From there, I started touring across the country. Then, I was asked to join AK1200, Dara, and Dieselboy to be the frontman for Planet of the Drums. I’ve been traveling the world ever since. Where are you from, and what was drum and bass like there when you started? I was originally born in LA and have lived everywhere from New Mexico to Connecticut to Las Vegas. I spent the majority of my life in Philadelphia. I was fortunate to come up with drum and bass music in one of the most knowledgeable cities in the states. DnB fans in Philly were always on a higher level of awareness...knowing all the names of every track, as well as the producer that created it. I wouldn't have been able to do any of the amazing things I've done with music or travel the world if it wasn't for my Philly, NYC, Baltimore, and D.C. family. This is the scene that believed in what I was saying in my lyrics and my energy on stage at raves and festivals and in shitty little bars in the middle of the hood. They came out faithfully to support our music's vision. They helped my message spread internationally. What do you like most about your profession? Meeting interesting fans and artists from around the globe. Also being able to travel where they live to perform and being able to see all these beautiful places that I never dreamed I would be able to visit as a child. What do you like the least? Flight delays and artists with shitty, entitled attitudes. They need to realize that although we work hard as hell, they are very fortunate to be doing what they are doing for a living. Some of these "mega" DJs and MCs need to get their heads out of their ass and appreciate their fans and show respect to their craft more. Who are your heroes? My father. He worked his ass off all of his life to get us out of a bad situation. Also, my mother Helena and my older brother Z ia. They passed away early in my life but they are always with me in spirit. I get a lot of my creativity from my mom and brother. My mom put me on to Motown and rock ‘n’ roll as a child and my older brother and the neighborhoods I lived in turned me on to hip hop. As much as I love DJing, producing, MCing to brum and bass, and EDM, hip hop will still always be my first love. What do you do in your spare time? Spend time with my beautiful daughter, write and record vocals nonstop, produce music, paint, draw, play basketball, drink, and wild the fuck out in Vegas. 46 INKSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM