DJ Johnny Blaze Interview

Illuminati 2G kicked it with So Prup DJ Johnny Blaze for a exclusive interview. Many of you will recognize JB for his work on the Sanctuary Volume 3 mixtape that dropped on I2G about 3 months ago. We talk about his upcoming mixtapes, his management work with Wing, his advice to other up and coming DJs and much more so relax and enjoy.

Illuminati 2G is here with DJ Johnny Blaze how’s it going?

I’m good man…just chillin over here doin the same ol.

Tell me a little bit bout how you got your start in DJing and who are some of your musical influences out there.

I got my start djing most likely 4 or maybe 5 years ago. I got into djing because I would see all  these other djs playing some whack stuff and I felt like I could play a way better selection of music then them. I got into djing also because I felt there is so much quality music out there like west coast hip hop acts like crooked i,wing,mistah fab,san quinn,zion i,strong arm steady,etc and even like neo soul I’m really big on the soulful joints, its something I really do specialize in it that so people might not be aware of.Some of my main musical influences come from a dj out of London called Paul Aaaron that I actually dj’d on his station called Warrior FM because of him I was able to really expand my musical taste and pretty much helped defined my style.

How did you link up with Tuslic and the So Prup camp?

I linked up Tulsic sort of on accident really…at the time I was just trying send tracks out by Wing to anyone that had radio show or station. I asked Tulsic if he was taking any guest mixes because I figured if I can do mix here n there for his show I can get Wing’s music played but Tulsic liked my work enough that he wants me to be So Prup Radio’s resident mix dj for the show so thats how I ended up getting my self invovled with the camp and eventually I brought up the idea of So Prup DJs and Tulsic made me in charge of that

You along with DJs Rtistic and Dj Age dropped the mixology mixtape about a month or 2 ago. Tell me a little bit about how that mixtape came together.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/jw424b

DJ R-tistic and Age I’ve known for a good while so as soon I got them on the So Prup DJs team I knew I had to get them invovled in the first So Prup DJs mixtape. The meaning behind mixology is that its another lane for all our so prup djs can take part in and help get their names out by all of grinding together for one project.

What are some other mixtapes that you have done that people may or may not be familiar with? Other than the latest Sanctuary mixtape on I2G that is out now. (laughs)!

Well for the longest time I was doing nothing but RnB mixtapes for like a good year or two. The most popular series of those rnb mixtapes I had was called Rhythm & Blaze… I would basicly just midtempo-uptempo known and underground acts on that series. I did a all west coast hip hop mixtape called Cali Luv also that did alright. I felt I needed to do one of those mixtapes for my people out west coast people there just isnt too much love for the west coast acts like I mentioned to you before.

What other mixtapes do you currently have in the works?

I just finished up a club type of mixtape called Club Blaze but I’m not completely sure if I want put that out on the net or anything like that because its purpose is for club managers and for gigs to check out stuff as far mixing and selection goes. I’m also got the Mixology 2 by So Prup DJs pretty much finished and ready to go…this time I switched up the dj line up on this mixtape and let couple other new so prup djs get involed with the project. I got a RnB mixtape, I’m in the works with another fellow So Prup DJ and Slip N Slide DJ out of germany called D.J. T-Licious that will be a interesting mixtape because I’ve never done tag team’d a mixtape with a dj from overseas so it should come out pretty hot. 

What is new with the So Prup radio show?

Were going keep on doing our same ol thing man. I personally feel we have one of the best podcast shows thats based out of the west coast right now. Were looking to maybe even gettin into a FM station pretty soon and we might even go Live soon with a major net station thats going re-open up again but I can’t give out to much details on that because its not finalized.

You also do the management gig and you manage Wing, who dropped My Music, My Life last year. What is up next for him and do you have any other artists at this time?

Wing is working on his new street album its going be different and honestly something that LA hip hop isnt used to. Wing isnt scared to be real artistic and trying new things and that will be shown in his new project that he has coming up. Don’t expect any typical gangbang or some super hard street thug bullshit from him any time soon. The new project he is working on should be out within a month or two from now. I’m looking to help out So Prup artists pretty soon once their projects and all their songs that they want to use is ready I’m going be grinding out their stuff out like I did for Wing.

What is a new record that has not hit the net or the people yet that you have heard or will be on a upcoming mixtape of yours that people should keep their ears open for?

Honestly people should be on look out for Wing’s new tracks because a lot of his subject matter is so different from typical LA and the production is banging and different. He sent me a lot of stuff that I wish I could leak and put on my mixtapes just to make it that much hotter…lol!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about getting into DJing?

My advice to new djs is promotion is key for any dj and if you don’t promote yourself then you won’t go too far as a dj. I’ve known djs that have crazy skills but the guys can’t get a gig or anything like that because they don’t know how to promote themselves. Also try to really read the crowds and don’t force stuff people’s throats because whoever hired you will not hire you back so don’t get a big ego thinking just because you think a record is hot that everyone else is going love it to but unfortunately it doesn’t work that way but don’t be scared of taking a risk though on trying break new records just don’t over do it and know when the time is right. For the djs trying get into mixtapes my advice for that is don’t just put random mp3s in a folder and tag your name on the tracks and call yourself a dj because thats not a dj!

What is your myspace info for people looking to contact you?

Whoever wants contact me can do that at www.djjohnnyblaze.com

Appreciate the interview. Any last words or shoutouts?

Shoutouts to Tulsic, Paul Aaaron, So Prup crew and staff…Warrior FM..Wing and whoever supports me.