Deejaying since the early 90’s with a residency on Groove Radio 103.1FM, and a residency at the best club in Hollywood, Billboard Live. Nowadays Dj Scarface spends most of his time in the studio making music. DJ Scarface has released host of mixtapes and remixes. His latest project features Big Prodeje. The synergy between DJ Scarface and Big Prodeje on this collaboration, entitled “Dope”, is bottom line infectious. In a recent interview Dj Scarface told us the ins and outs of his lifelong hustle.
- How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?
DJ Scarface: been djing since early 90s. Listening to Dj Richard HumptyVission on power 106 mixing got me real excited about djing
- Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
DJ Scarface: Rakim, Nas, NWA, Eric B, Richard Humptyvission, Prince
- Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?
DJ Scarface: I’m listening to Dr Dre and would love to be in the studio with him.
- Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ from within the industry, and if so how have you handled that, and how do you handle criticism and haters in general?
DJ Scarface: there is resistance everywhere, I don’t let the haters get to me but I instead used the haters to fuel my fire and keep on plugging.
- What are your thoughts on visual media and Youtube? Do think that video is an appropriate marketing tool for your music, and do you have any videos published for fans to see?
DJ Scarface: Of course, videos are a great tool for your music. I have a few videos which you can on YouTube at djscarface3.
- Which do you ultimately prefer? Entertaining a live audience or creating songs in a studio setting?
DJ Scarface: Studio making music
- Tell us something about your lyrics and music production on your releases. Which part of these processes do you handle, and which do you outsource generally?
DJ Scarface: I outsource everything, I got a great producer who beats I use, and I know a lot of dope MCs to work with too.
8. What is the title of your latest music release and where can fans find it?
DJ Scarface: DOPE album feat Big Prodeje of South Central Cartel and can be found on iTunes from October 6th
- Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre thriving with newcomers?
DJ Scarface: My 25 year experience as a Dj.
- If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to be a part of this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
DJ Scarface: Passion, because my passion for hip hop is stronger than anything else
- Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
DJ Scarface: the process of making music excites me the most; dealing with shady artists is what discourages me the most.
- How do you market and manage your music career? Do you have a management team or do you control everything by yourself?
DJ Scarface: I do have a management team that I own, I do everything and wear many hats.
- How do you achieve your sound? Do you work from a private recording environment or do you use a commercial sound studio?
DJ Scarface: I just find the best beats available, but my beats are not yet up to par.
- The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
DJ Scarface: Don’t cheat people is the advice I follow and keeping a cool head is the advice I should have followed!
- If you had the choice which famous and/or successful producer would you like to work with?
DJ Scarface: Dr Dre and Swizz Beatz
- Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to independent artists and indie music in general, or do you think it only creates ‘fake of fabricated fame’?
DJ Scarface: In today’s hip hop it is definitely a good thing but sometimes it does fabricate fake fame.
- If someone has never heard your music, which keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
DJ Scarface: Energy
- Straight off the top of your head, how would you describe the current state of Hip-hop, R&B and Rap?
DJ Scarface: Wack rappers making wack music but don’t fear Dj Scarface is here to change that!
- As you work your way through your career, which more than any other fires-up your imagination – A Grammy award, Platinum music sales or any other tangible milestone?
DJ Scarface: Music Sales!
- What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?
DJ Scarface: I don’t kiss ass!
