There are “record players” and then there are actual DJs who know how to rock a party. DJ Emskee fits into the mold of great djs who knows how to make a crowd dance all night long. He has been a student to the game of hip-hop for a long time. One of the few radio djs that stays true to the art form and is a big name in the New York underground scene. Emskee has spinned at some big events such as the J-LO swimwear tour and HBO had picked him to be a part of a dj tour in the west coast to promote the debut of the Ali G show. He is not the one to let success go to his head. DJ Emskee is still the same humble and respectful dude I know for a long time. Solovibes sit down with the man known as Marc Smith aka DJ Emskee, as we discuss the state of hip-hop, his early years coming up in this industry, his friendship with Kool DJ Red Alert, and his group “The Good People."
SVM: DJ Emskee, tell the world who you are and where you're from?
DJ Emskee: Hello world. I'm a music enthusiast, and long time certified DJ/MC that represents the elements of hip hop culture and beyond every chance I get in the spotlight. I'm originally from Jersey but I rest in Bushwick, Brooklyn now.
SVM: At what age did you start getting into the art of DJing and who were your musical influences growing up?
DJ Emskee:
Hmm. Well I was first
captivated by the art of spinning back in like '81. I only had a small stereo
in my room with a turntable and cassette deck on it, which served a dual
purpose. I would tape stuff off the radio with the deck, and then practice
scratching on the turntable. I didn't know about having felt under the record on the turntable with the plastic underneath on the platter
back then. I never knew about how it was fuckin' up a lot of my records cutting raw on the platter. hahaha. I never had my own
real turntable and mixer set up until about '86. They were two different
turntables and not in the best condition, but I was a happy dude when that time
came (pause). hahaha
My music influences were
from various places. I went to predominantly white catholic schools growing up
so I was exposed to alot of early pop, rock, soft rock music. Then of course,
hangin with my dudes from the area, I was heavy into finding out when the late
night hip hop shows on the radio were. Of course for hip hop, Afrika Islam,
Jerry Bloodrock, Mr. Magic and the Supreme Team on WHBI, Jazzy Jay and Afrika
Bambaatta on KISS-FM before Red Alert took over, The Latin Rascals, Dj Animal
on 92KTU, Hot Tracks and Video Music Box......the list is kinda endless. I was
stuck in the culture, and loved it so much. Being exposed to both sides of the
fence helped me to appreciate music overall. A lot of dudes who weren't as
widespread with their appreciation, weren't able to get out of the box that
they created for themselves. I still think that applies to today. Heads
need to stop thinking of music as being "white music" and "black
music". If something is good and speaks to your soul, FUCK what someone
else thinks. I would also credit Kid Capri, Pete Rock, and Clark Kent in later
years for how I learned to rock parties. Those brothers are really dope djs.
SVM: The first time I've heard about you was in the early 1990s. If I'm not mistaken you had your start on 98.7 KISS FM in New York City working on promos for Red Alert, Kid Capri, Stretch & Bobbito and a few other radio personalities. Can you elaborate on how you met the propmaster Kool DJ Red Alert?
DJ Emskee: That's right. Back when radio was a little more "free form" and radio personalities could throw in promos from up and coming emcees, I took advantage and created some BANGERS for almost everyone who was hot at the time on NYC radio. Stretch and Bobbito, Funk Master Flex, Awesome 2, Red Alert.....the list goes on. (Shouts to my dudes Nick Wiz and DJ Slyce who produced a lot of those promos) Within doing that, I connected with Wendy Williams, and we wound up dating for 2 years ('93 to '95) while she was at 98.7 KISS. During that time, being up at the station a lot, I met Red....and I have to say, to this day, the brother is THE coolest in the industry (and Easy Mo Bee too) Even after the split with Wendy, me and Red have maintained a solid relationship throughout the years.
SVM: You have done some promos for Wendy Williams when she was on 98.7 Kiss FM. Have you had the opportunity to be a guest DJ for her radio show?
DJ Emskee: Nah, I just did a number of promos for her. Never got on the set on her show. That was for the Bomb Squad at the time. DJ Enuff, DJ Ace, and a few other cats I can't remember.
SVM: J-Smooth has contributed a lot to hip-hop and the Underground Railroad show has been on the air for at least 21 years. How did you link with J-Smooth and the G-Man?
DJ Emskee: I'll try to tell the short version of this. Avid railroad listeners will remember that in '96-99, DJ Spinna and DJ Avee held down the show crazy. Me and my man DJ Monk One listened to the show religiously. Monk, who many know is a breakbeat mastermind and sick record collector, made a breaks mix and sent it to the station. One night, I think neither Spinna or Avee couldn't make it, and G Man endorsed playing the tape. It was dope of course, and from that Monk told me to make a tape too. I did, and once Spinna and Avee started to go on tour and do other things, there were slots available. Me and Monk debuted on the show in '99, sharing an hour with each of us doing a half hour set. Shortly after that, we started to do the show on a regular basis. Good times
SVM: Emskee, I know you remember Gail, the one with the soft sexy voice on the Underground Railroad Show. She was also a contributor on the Solo Vibes show back in Baruch as we were all cool with her? Have you kept in contact with her?
DJ Emskee: Nah. Haven't seen or heard from Gail in years. G Man or J Smooth might have kept in contact with her. She was a cutie. haha
SVM: One of the many things I love about the
Underground Railroad show is that it touches on social & political
issues. One issue that comes to mind is
these so called reality shows that depicts the worst in our community. There is an online petition on change.org
to block the premier of “All My Babies Mamas” featuring the life of Shawty Lo,
which is, suppose to air on the Oxygen network.
Some have called this “TV Buffoonery at it’s Finest” What are your
thoughts about these companies profiting off of stereotypes of black people?
SVM: J-Smooth has contributed a lot to hip-hop and the Underground Railroad show has been on the air for at least 21 years. How did you link with J-Smooth and the G-Man?
DJ Emskee: I'll try to tell the short version of this. Avid railroad listeners will remember that in '96-99, DJ Spinna and DJ Avee held down the show crazy. Me and my man DJ Monk One listened to the show religiously. Monk, who many know is a breakbeat mastermind and sick record collector, made a breaks mix and sent it to the station. One night, I think neither Spinna or Avee couldn't make it, and G Man endorsed playing the tape. It was dope of course, and from that Monk told me to make a tape too. I did, and once Spinna and Avee started to go on tour and do other things, there were slots available. Me and Monk debuted on the show in '99, sharing an hour with each of us doing a half hour set. Shortly after that, we started to do the show on a regular basis. Good times
SVM: Emskee, I know you remember Gail, the one with the soft sexy voice on the Underground Railroad Show. She was also a contributor on the Solo Vibes show back in Baruch as we were all cool with her? Have you kept in contact with her?
DJ Emskee: Nah. Haven't seen or heard from Gail in years. G Man or J Smooth might have kept in contact with her. She was a cutie. haha
DJ Emskee: Man, this has been going on since slavery. Exploitation of African-American life for someone else's gain/amusement whenever the chance presented itself. But it's also our fault too in the present day. Look we know that the job market is weak and everyone wants to collect a check somehow, and a lot want exposure to go along WITH the check. But scruples have gone to the wind, and no-moral heads are selling themselves out
to be a part of that circus. The common excuse is "but I gotta feed my
family". True. We all need to feed our families. But the question is, at
what expense? Look, I'm far from being racist. I have a dynamic circle of
ethnicities in my inner friend circle. But there are alot of conservative white
people that have money, control, and power within the entertainment industry
that are "intrigued" by black culture because they'll never be able
to live it or understand it, so they find (sad to say) "suckers" who
will parade the minstrel show right to the bank, and not think twice about it.
Don't get it twisted....there are other "comfortable" ethnicities
within that conservative bubble that go right along with co-signing the
exposure of these degrading television programs because they're benefitting
from it too in some form. There will always be someone on the take who will
sell out the rest for personal gain. Sad.
SVM: Unfortunately, you will have some in society who would call you a
“hater” for voicing your opinion about the state of modern day black
entertainment. What would be your response to your detractors who would tell
you “BROTHER, YOU ARE OUT OF TOUCH” and “CATS HAVE TO EAT TO SURVIVE IN THIS
WORLD”?
DJ Emskee: My response would be, it's a lot easier to settle for the sucker route and get paid, adding to the demise of the culture and everything surrounding it for short term personal gain. Yes, we all have to eat, but there are ways to get your food rather than "coonin" and "playin yaself" to look like a freak show than maintain dignity and find a balance in your hustle. Everybody is going for the fast lane to fortune. I need money bad like the next man, but you'll never see me play into a stereotype to eat. Tell you what...I'd rather starve, and my family starve to sell out for someone else's entertainment to get a relatively small piece of change compared to what the people who created and sponsoring the show are getting. THAT'S real.
SVM: Radio has changed dramatically from the golden era and it is extremely hard for a new artist to be noticed. However, that has changed with the blogs and internet radio. What are your thoughts on the current state of hip hop?
DJ Emskee: Hip Hop, for me, is in a very weird state. The domination of the digital age has been a gift and a curse. The gift because it's given heads who ARE talented the opportunity to use it's resources to promote an put themselves out there easier now without the help (and hinderance) of label politics. The curse, because it's opened the gate for non/less talented heads to give themselves a "presence" online but can't deliver the goods when it counts. There aren't really a lot of heads that I can say I really like now. Homeboy Sandman is an interesting and talented dude. I like 8thW1 a lot. This kid Joey Badass is intriguing. Cymarshall Law has always been dope. Masta Ace is one of the most underated, non-mentioning MC's from the golden age that's STILL dope. I've always been a Little Brother fan right from the start in their ABB days. They, to me, made interesting records, and were able to cross (without crossing over) into other concepts. I think Rapper Big Pooh was on that house/club record "Make Me Hot" a few years back. He wasn't really rhyming, BUT he dabble in another style of music and it didn't hurt him. I think emcees need to diversify now. It's weird man. I'm sure there are more heads out there I should be mentioning, but the game is so cluttered now. Then you have the battle cirucit which is totally different from making a studio record album. For me, the battle game of oohs and ahhs is always dope, but making dope records and being able to sustain time length in the game is where my heads is at. We need more Ran Reeds, more Cella Dwellas. I wanna hear more quality FEMALE mcs and PRODUCERS too. Someone bought up a great question a few weeks ago. Why aren't there more dope female producers. I can't even name ONE. That's crazy. But hip hop is in a funny state right now.
DJ Emskee: My response would be, it's a lot easier to settle for the sucker route and get paid, adding to the demise of the culture and everything surrounding it for short term personal gain. Yes, we all have to eat, but there are ways to get your food rather than "coonin" and "playin yaself" to look like a freak show than maintain dignity and find a balance in your hustle. Everybody is going for the fast lane to fortune. I need money bad like the next man, but you'll never see me play into a stereotype to eat. Tell you what...I'd rather starve, and my family starve to sell out for someone else's entertainment to get a relatively small piece of change compared to what the people who created and sponsoring the show are getting. THAT'S real.
SVM: Radio has changed dramatically from the golden era and it is extremely hard for a new artist to be noticed. However, that has changed with the blogs and internet radio. What are your thoughts on the current state of hip hop?
DJ Emskee: Hip Hop, for me, is in a very weird state. The domination of the digital age has been a gift and a curse. The gift because it's given heads who ARE talented the opportunity to use it's resources to promote an put themselves out there easier now without the help (and hinderance) of label politics. The curse, because it's opened the gate for non/less talented heads to give themselves a "presence" online but can't deliver the goods when it counts. There aren't really a lot of heads that I can say I really like now. Homeboy Sandman is an interesting and talented dude. I like 8thW1 a lot. This kid Joey Badass is intriguing. Cymarshall Law has always been dope. Masta Ace is one of the most underated, non-mentioning MC's from the golden age that's STILL dope. I've always been a Little Brother fan right from the start in their ABB days. They, to me, made interesting records, and were able to cross (without crossing over) into other concepts. I think Rapper Big Pooh was on that house/club record "Make Me Hot" a few years back. He wasn't really rhyming, BUT he dabble in another style of music and it didn't hurt him. I think emcees need to diversify now. It's weird man. I'm sure there are more heads out there I should be mentioning, but the game is so cluttered now. Then you have the battle cirucit which is totally different from making a studio record album. For me, the battle game of oohs and ahhs is always dope, but making dope records and being able to sustain time length in the game is where my heads is at. We need more Ran Reeds, more Cella Dwellas. I wanna hear more quality FEMALE mcs and PRODUCERS too. Someone bought up a great question a few weeks ago. Why aren't there more dope female producers. I can't even name ONE. That's crazy. But hip hop is in a funny state right now.
SVM: I miss the days of actually listening to the radio in which a DJ actually break records instead of playing the top 5
records every hour. The DJ had the power to have the listener to decide do they
think this record is a hit or a miss. These
days we have corporate hacks that force feed us terrible music. Do you think a balance in hip-hop would
benefit the industry?
DJ Emskee: A balance may not benefit everybody financially, but it would definitely slow the buffoonery domination that's out there now. Plus, bring a new dynamic to the sound. A lot of the buffoon records don't use sample if you notice. Just weird ass catchy sounds. If the underground cats who are still sample based (but certain producers are crafty with the piecing so you can't tell what the sample is) were able to get equal commercial time, it would be a different day in radio. But that weird catchy sound I think play right into the corporate dumbing down of real sounding hip hop. Balance isn't happening, so I think we've lost radio forever.
SVM: You have traveled across the world spinning at different clubs and events. I have come across a few artists who say the fans overseas respect the culture more than we do in the states. Do you find this statement to be true?
DJ Emskee: One million percent. I LOVE going overseas. I never want to come back when I go. It's such a different and deeper appreciation for the music and culture behind it. If you notice a lot of the dudes we grew up listening too (who are now pushing 45 or even 50) who are long forgotten here, are going abroad and still doing shows to packed venues. Sometimes just doing old material. It's crazy. I want to blame the digital age, but that's not totally it. Somehow, I think after the major record companies vanished, we just lost our way for flavor here in the states. And we caught amnesia of all the dope joints that have been created right here in New York. You also have to blame the age demographic too. The game is run by a lot of young heads who have a different ear for what they think is hot. There are a number of variables, but overseas heads are still in tune to the root and fundamentals of flavor.
DJ Emskee: A balance may not benefit everybody financially, but it would definitely slow the buffoonery domination that's out there now. Plus, bring a new dynamic to the sound. A lot of the buffoon records don't use sample if you notice. Just weird ass catchy sounds. If the underground cats who are still sample based (but certain producers are crafty with the piecing so you can't tell what the sample is) were able to get equal commercial time, it would be a different day in radio. But that weird catchy sound I think play right into the corporate dumbing down of real sounding hip hop. Balance isn't happening, so I think we've lost radio forever.
SVM: You have traveled across the world spinning at different clubs and events. I have come across a few artists who say the fans overseas respect the culture more than we do in the states. Do you find this statement to be true?
DJ Emskee: One million percent. I LOVE going overseas. I never want to come back when I go. It's such a different and deeper appreciation for the music and culture behind it. If you notice a lot of the dudes we grew up listening too (who are now pushing 45 or even 50) who are long forgotten here, are going abroad and still doing shows to packed venues. Sometimes just doing old material. It's crazy. I want to blame the digital age, but that's not totally it. Somehow, I think after the major record companies vanished, we just lost our way for flavor here in the states. And we caught amnesia of all the dope joints that have been created right here in New York. You also have to blame the age demographic too. The game is run by a lot of young heads who have a different ear for what they think is hot. There are a number of variables, but overseas heads are still in tune to the root and fundamentals of flavor.
SVM: Can you name one record that you've heard that made your neck snap?
DJ Emskee: Recently? Not really. Homeboy Sandman has some joints out there that you can't front on, but nothing immediately comes to mind. I'm very picky with my music man. I don't just like anything. It has to have certain qualities for me to co-sign. I can't even tell you what they are. I just know it when I hear a strong joint. (pause) ha ha
DJ Emskee: Recently? Not really. Homeboy Sandman has some joints out there that you can't front on, but nothing immediately comes to mind. I'm very picky with my music man. I don't just like anything. It has to have certain qualities for me to co-sign. I can't even tell you what they are. I just know it when I hear a strong joint. (pause) ha ha
DJ Emskee: New York City is the birthplace of hip hop and other cultures and scenes. Part of that culture is going to a venue and checking out a dj WORKING, and playing wax. That's the era I grew up in. It's more of a visual thing. When you see a dj walk into a spot carrying crates or bags of records, he's kind of in a way announcing that the party is about to get started. The music is here. It's also the variety of music that's played. So between all those variables, I wanted to create a party where the people coming are going to get that. I also realize that underground hip hop from the 90s is not represented live anywhere (that I know of) anymore in NYC, so between that style and other forms of dope music as the night progresses, it has to be presented on vinyl so give that warm sound...and to let the people know that we ain't playin games on the set. Serious, real music, DJ business. Haha
SVM: Anyone that is a true hip hop head knows about Easy Mo Bee and the hits he has produced for artists such as Miles Davis, Biggie, Big Daddy Kane, 2Pac, Alicia Keys and Craig Mack to name a few. What is it like spinning besides such a respectable legend as Easy Mo Bee?
DJ Emskee: Like I said in the answer to the third question, Mo Bee is a super
cool down to earth dude aside
from his various notable accolades. But to spin and talk music/records with him
is even more special for me. Aside from the obvious Biggie, Craig Mack
recognition, the fact that he was in the studio with MILES DAVIS is ill for
me. We're actually going to do an EP together this year. I went to his crib and picked out like 10 tracks.
Bananas man. I kinda had to pinch myself that I'm gonna be recording tracks
with him. This project is gonna be scary man. Trust me. Remember at the end of
"Machine Gun Funk" on Biggie's first album when he says "Mo Bee
got beats??" He was NOT lying. I had to stop him playing beats after about
4 hours. They just kept coming. Wow.
SVM: Wow I would love to hear you and Mo Bee on a joint. That would be interesting.
You are part of the group called “The
Good People” in which we have supported on our blog. The song “Mean Muggin” featuring Jesus Mason
is a very good record. What made you
decide to make a song called “MEAN MUGGIN"?
DJ Emskee: Thanks man. First off, shout out to my man The Saint for his production.
SVM: Are there any plans to put out a video to this song and will there be another new album in the future?
DJ Emskee: No plans for a video for "Mean Muggin" but we are discussing what we want to accomplish as a group in 2013. Another album from The Good People is in the plans, but I have my current project, The Marc Smith EP, produced by my man E The 5th coming first this year....maybe February in the UK. This is gonna be a CRAZY hot album. Everyone says that about their shit, but heads of real hip hop will be happy. I also have the project with Easy Mo Bee on deck I told you about, as well as a project with my man Chubb Nice down in England called The Hoglodytes. Different uptempo bugged out hip hop/club/dub vibes. We had a joint go to number 2 I think on the Juno charts in the UK last year, so it's exciting to get back to work on a second EP. I'm gonna be busy, but very happy to be making outside the box music both here and internationally.
SVM: Do you have any advice for any aspiring turntabalists or emcees that want to get into this business?
DJ Emskee: This business is just
that. BUSINESS. It's 20 percent skills and 80 percent branding, legal stuff.
Try to associate yourself with heads you can learn from and get away from yes
men and women. You need truth. Also, be true to your craft. If you're looking
to jump into that "radio" market, be prepared to deal with alot of
bullshit. It's not instant or overnight. There are 800 million heads vying for
a few top spot positions and the trends are always changing. Are you ready for
that? There's loads of bullshit in the underground scene too. Fake associations
and hate. Remember, EVERYONE wants to grab the mic or stand behind some
turntables to LOOK cool, and make money. It aint that easy. Be prepared to go
for the long haul with tact, hard work, and a massive amount of perseverance.
Most importantly....do YOU. Stay true to you. Once you TRY to be like someone
else, you're already losin.
SVM:
It was a great pleasure to interview you. Do you have any final thoughts or shout outs?
Also, if someone wanted to contact you to
book a show. How would they find you?
DJ Emskee: Check me out with The
Good People at www.thegoodpeople.bandcamp.com. You can also check my many
versatile style dj mixes (over 150), both live and homemade, at
http://djemskee.podomatic.com. For bookings: djemskee@gmail.com, and cc it to
djemskee@aol.com. Hit me up for the friend add on facebook too at MARC SMITH -
Brooklyn NY. My profile picture is of my son. You can then get connected to the
RECORDnition party invites.
Thanks for the interview
brother. I appreciate it!!!
shouts to Sincere and Emskee...both true DJ's!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete