Reflections Of A Dj

Episode 368: DISCO_NECT "Abandoning The Open Format Grind To Form a Disco House Collective" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with @TheDisco_Nect (@DJWS, @PartyWithStrategy_, and @CautionItsHeavy) to share their journey and vision for disco’s revival. At (02:34), White Shadow recalls meeting Strategy and Heavy during a Will Ferrell event that bonded them through disco, leading to their takeover of @CelesteChicago. By (10:57), Crooked introduces the idea of the “working class DJ,” sparking candid talk about burnout, money struggles, and questioning whether DJing was worth it. The crew reflects on DJs struggling to see themselves as artists (11:20), the evolution of Chicago’s house scene, and how nightlife has shifted from ticket sales to social media clout. At (23:50), they debate whether open format is oversaturated, with White Shadow emphasizing musical identity and Crooked calling it “the most selfless job.” Strategy shares his moves between Chicago and Houston (32:30) before the trio break dow

EPISODE 367: SIDEPIECE "6 Years Strong & Sober" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew chops it up with Grammy-nominated duo Sidepiece (@partyfavor + @nitti). At 01:51, they share how they came together, the story behind their name, and their dynamic in the studio. The duo gets candid about testing tracks in the club (17:20), early support from @Diplo, and Nitti’s production work on 200 MPH by @BadBunnyPr (36:01). They reminisce on the Mad Decent era, and break down releasing hits like Cash Out, A Milli, and On My Mind while resisting industry trends (41:01). At 49:10, they discuss re-igniting tech house, facing criticism for sampling, and the challenges of pushing original music in a short-attention-span culture. The fellas reflect on evolving their sound (56:35), Dylan’s late start in production, and Ricky’s roots in Haiti (59:01). They close by revealing why holding back unreleased bootlegs, like their sought-after Cry For You edit, keeps their live sets unique (1:17:14). Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/

Episode 366: THE BEAT JUNKIES "Why DJs Need a Retirement Plan" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with @DjMeloD, @DJDStyles, and @DJ4Real24 to talk about their careers, @theBeatJunkies, and their Cali pizza spot @MadeFromSkratchPizza. They kick things off with Melo-D gives flowers to @DJAngieVee’s “Yer Not Down,” and D-Styles celebrates the iconic “Low End Theory” party that helped launch artists like @FlyingLotus, @Tokimonsta, and @Daedelus (03:55). The crew also reflects on how today’s DJ competitions differ from the Beat Junkies era (18:45). Jaime introduces the Beat Junkies Institute of Sound as “the Avengers teaching you how to be superheroes,” while the fellas joke about bad DJ habits, online instruction, and even a ROAD discount code. D-Styles on “Phantasmagoria” (20:01) and Suneel sharing how he first met the Junkies (39:45). The junkies revisit how the pizza concept was born at Icon LA, tracing its roots to the legendary “Red Cup Sundays” (40:20). By (44:55), the fellas dive into how the

Episode 365: DON DIABLO "The Visionary of Future House on Imposter Syndrome & Humanizing A.I." This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with future house pioneer @DonDiablo for a deep and personal conversation. At 01:55, Don talks about running on little sleep before his Pier 19 show and why NYC remains his biggest market. By 06:55, he explains why he avoids repeating sets, preferring Tomorrowland’s smaller, darker stages over the main stage. At 12:20, Don reflects on his teenage years in the Dutch scene, from being taken advantage of as a young producer to being labeled a “weirdo” by peers. He admits that sometimes he hates being Don Diablo, finding true acceptance only through his fans. At 18:10, he recalls his production roots and the joy of creating purely for fun. By 24:55, the tone shifts as Don shares a powerful story about his father’s illness, the lessons from their final conversations, and how this shaped his outlook on time, purpose, and music. He recalls writing songs like “The Artist Inside

Episode 364: DJ TRAUMA "From ATL to Dave Chappelle, Navigating the Celebrity DJ Scene" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with @DJTrauma to reflect on his journey from New York to Atlanta and beyond. At (00:55), Trauma recalls growing up in Manhattan and how his DJ name came from a friend’s little brother. By (04:30), he’s reminiscing about partying in the Meatpacking District and what it meant to be “outside.” He explains what it means to be a “vibe DJ” (07:15). He compares the craft of DJing to stand-up comedy (10:35). Trauma then shares how a free event unexpectedly led him to working with @DaveChappelle (12:52), and a relationship that grew into legendary gigs like First Avenue in Minneapolis and Radio City Music Hall in NYC (15:56). The conversation dives into Trauma’s reputation as “Chappelle’s DJ” (30:01), @PhifeForever performing at his 21st birthday, and the rise of Atlanta’s unified scene with @Outkast, @GoodieMob, and @JermaineDupri (34:40). He speaks on the epic Freaknik parties (45:55

Episode 363: WALSHY FIRE “Inside Major Lazor, Black Chiney, and ‘The Art Of Dancehall’” This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with @WalshyFire — DJ, producer, and member of @MajorLazer — to talk Dancehall, Soca, and the art of building culture. At 01:34, Walshy recalls meeting @DJMoma and why Soca faced resistance in the '80s–’90s. By 05:10, he’s breaking down the pushback against Soca and Afro Beats, and Soca’s joyful contrast to other genres. He dives into NYC’s gang culture and block party memories (07:10), including a near brawl at a LOX performance diffused by dancers (10:12). The crew swaps stories on “banned” songs in late ’90s NYC and venue violence, with jokes about the Queens vs. Brooklyn rivalry (11:33). Walshy shares his path from Clark University and a jazz radio station to NYC and Beat Street Records (14:55), then joining Black Chiney Sound after a career-making gig (28:45). He reflects on classic riddim productions, lessons from Sean Paul, and supporting both grassroots parties and maj

Episode 362: RASHAD SMITH (Pt.2): "Bad Boy's First Hitman & His Fallout With Biggie" In Part 2 of our deep dive with legendary producer @Rashad_Ringo_Smith, the @RoadPodcast crew uncovers even more behind-the-scenes stories that shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B.Rashad kicks things off by breaking down the making of the iconic “One More Chance” and its different versions (00:01), before opening up about the intense, high-stakes creative process at Bad Boy Records under the direction of @Diddy (09:01). He reveals how the classic “Bad Boy” sound came together — especially the blend of vocal powerhouses @theRealFaithEvans and @theRealMaryJBlige, which helped redefine R&B (20:03).He shares the wild backstory behind LL Cool J’s “Doin It” — a track originally made for Biggie — and the behind-the-scenes fallout with Puff and B.I.G. when it landed elsewhere (27:21). The crew dives into LL’s catalog and legacy (50:34), before Rashad reflects on his creative connection with @QTipTheAbstract and his work with A Tribe

Episode 362: RASHAD SMITH (Pt.1): The Mystery Beatmaker for Rakim, Uptown Records & Busta Rhymes This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down for Part 1 of an epic two-part conversation with legendary producer @Rashad_Ringo_Smith — the mastermind behind tracks for @TheNotoriousBIG, @BustaRhymes, @JayZ, @Beyonce, @TheGodRakim, and more. You may not know his name, but you definitely know his sound. Rashad kicks things off by reflecting on his early days as a DJ, his childhood nicknames, and the powerful influence his mother had on his musical journey (00:11). He shares his deep love for jazz and reveals how he flipped the same sample two different ways for Busta Rhymes’ “Woo Hah” and its remix featuring @OlDirtyBastardLegacy (08:55). He breaks down the art of crate digging with iconic producers, the origins of the “pause tape,” and how it became the foundation for early production before DAWs (18:01). Rashad dives deep into the making of “Woo Hah,” seeing the Hype Williams-directed video for the first time, a

Episode 361: JASON JANI "The Wedding DJ Who Built a Private Event Powerhouse" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew chops it up with @JasonJani — DJ, entrepreneur, and founder of @SCEEventGroup — as he shares his journey from New Jersey club nights to redefining private events. Jason recalls how he got his start in 1995, spinning at local spots like Deco Lounge and DJing on the Shore (2:30, 14:30). He talks about learning from setbacks (24:53) and how skills from corporate America helped shape his DJ business (25:48, 27:55). He explains how he broke the mold of the “cheesy wedding DJ” by bringing a nightclub mindset to private events (28:14), using YouTube to market himself (33:20), and building performances that spoke for themselves (35:34). From being recruited for the Watch The Throne tour to getting business advice from Virgil Abloh, Jason shares wild stories from the celebrity circuit and tour life with Ariana Grande (53:25–1:04:03). He breaks down SCE’s revenue model and creative team culture (1:17:30),

Episode 360: BOBBITO GARCIA "B-Ball, Hip-Hop & Sneakers — Where the Love Still Lives?" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with the legendary @KoolBobbLove a.k.a. Bobbito Garcia — DJ, author, and cultural icon. At 00:55, Bobbito breaks down the inspiration behind his new book “Bobbito’s Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!”, touching on caregiving, basketball, and his writing process. He and @DJcrooked reminisce about growing up in the same building (11:45), and at (18:45), he shares his thoughts on Rap vs. Hip-Hop, giving today’s scene a “under 5” rating. At (22:55), he reflects on his lifelong love for Hip-Hop, sneakers, basketball, and DJing. He opens up about stepping back from performing live (37:55) and honors his father’s legacy and roots in Puerto Rican pro basketball (49:01). Crooked reflects on Bobbito always staying ahead of the curve (57:01) before Bobbito closes with the Road Podcast 10 at 1:05:01. This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space

Episode 359: BRAD LEBEAU "From the Early Days of Disco to a Record Promo Dynasty" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with legendary music marketer, DJ, and founder of @promotion1983, Brad LeBeau, for an unfiltered conversation on the evolution of dance music, the hustle behind hit records, and the personal cost of chasing legacy in the industry. With his company “PRO MOTION” celebrating 42 years at the forefront of record promotion, Brad reflects on the moments that defined his journey. Brad opens up about his early DJ days, sharing how his father’s advice shaped his outlook (4:42), and how substance use became a short-lived fix for performance anxiety (08:33). He reflects on his time at Discoteca magazine and witnessing the birth of disco in America (21:01), before diving into his first major solo promotion: @Afrika_Bambaataa_Official and Soulsonic Force’s “Planet Rock” (23:01). He breaks down his philosophy on record promotion, working with @DianaRoss in 2017 (49:11), and his brief but dramatic

This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew chops it up with UK DJ and producer @snipsmusic, founder of London’s legendary “Living Proof” party. Snips breaks down how he got his name (01:41), his early love for house music, and the influence of UK genres like Lovers Rock, Jungle, and Drum & Bass. He shares wild stories from the London scene — including the time they accidentally booked a fake MF DOOM — and reflects on the rise and fall of “Living Proof” (12:30). The crew delves into the evolution of UK hip-hop, the legacy of @timwestwoodtv, and iconic UK shows featuring @jayz and @bustarhymes (24:10). Snips also discusses the beauty of vinyl culture (34:01) and the politics of equipment snobbery — from USB sticks to Serato (52:19). Things heat up during a fiery debate on NY hip-hop elitism, @souljaboy, and the future of DJ tech (1:19:30). Later, Snips critiques NYC’s current house scene, the optics of “diversity” in nightlife, and why he focused on building a community in Brooklyn (1:31:04). The episode wraps with sh

Episode 357: CLUB 1BD "The Viral Apartment Party That Took Over Your Feed" This week, we’re joined by @ItsDavidTheDJ and @ArtyFurtado—the creator and curator behind the viral sensation @Club1BD. We kick things off with the origin story of Club 1BD and how it all began with a breakout viral moment (00:55). David shares his journey from wedding DJ to internet phenomenon, and how a chance meeting with Arty at NYU sparked their creative partnership (12:01). They speak on challenges of copyright and how it shapes monetization strategies (22:01), followed by a discussion about the criticism surrounding crowd reactions (40:50). They open up about collaborating with guest DJs, expanding the party beyond NYC, and the distinct visual editing style of @BestOfVoguee—all while honoring the deep influence of Black and Queer culture (48:01). At (1:11:01), we talk about why a great mix alone isn’t enough in today’s landscape—you need standout videography to cut through the noise. The crew reflects their mission to spotlight

Episode 356: SCOOP DEVILLE "Crafting Classics for Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, & Snoop" In this week’s episode of @Roadpodcast, we sit down with legendary producer, DJ, and rapper @scoopdeville, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including @kendricklamar, @drdre, @snoopdogg, @bustarhymes, and @fatjoe. The crew kicks things off with Scoop’s early ties to Las Vegas meeting @eddiemaclv, sharing stories of hustling CDs as a teen for his father Kid Frost (01:58). Scoop opens up about growing up around musical royalty like @eazyeofficial, @djtonyg, and @rogertroutmanofficial (06:10). He reveals behind-the-scenes moments from working with @drdre, including an unreleased version of "The Recipe" featuring @damianmarley (20:01). Scoop also talks about how club reactions help him decide what tracks to sample in his productions (46:18). Later, he dives into his experience creating K-Pop with @uarmyhope of @bts.bighitofficial and his time spent in Asia (53:24). He breaks down how "Calm Down" came togethe

Episode 355: INDO WAREHOUSE “Bringing South Asia To Coachella, and Creating A New Genre ‘IndoHouse’” In this episode, DJ Crooked sits down with @Indo.Warehouse founders @KunalMerchant and @KahaniMusic to talk about the rise of Indo-House — a genre fusing South Asian musical heritage with house and dance music. What started as a passion project has grown into a global movement, with Indo Warehouse delivering immersive live shows at iconic venues like @Coachella and @BrooklynMirage, and soon, the @F1 Grand Prix in Singapore. Kahani and Kunal share their paths into music (01:15), the moment their creative partnership began (20:43), and how they’ve navigated the tension between cultural authenticity and mainstream appeal (33:10). They discuss building the Indo Warehouse brand while juggling day jobs (46:01), nurturing their audience’s understanding of the genre (1:00:31), and signing with @UnitedTalent to expand their global reach (1:16:20). We also reflect on their game-changing Coachella performance (1:46:20)

Episode 354: JAMES HYPE "EDM Beefs And Real DJing" This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with premier EDM DJ/Producer and one of England’s finest, @JamesHype. They discuss his @ZoukGroupLV residency (01:36) and break down the differences between U.S. and European dance music markets (03:35). James reflects on his DJ roots in England (09:45), shares his thoughts on spinning with @Serato vs. @RekordboxOfficial (20:30), and revisits his first breakout hit, “More Than Friends” (35:01). He dives into his marketing persona as the “Hulk Hogan of DJing” (49:13), talks about his Ibiza residency at @Hiibizaofficial (1:01:04), and vents his frustrations with @BoilerRoomTV and his recent feud with @Deadmau5 (1:16:15). The crew also unpacks how James trolled the @Hardwell meltdown at @Saga_Festival in Romania (1:25:01), and breaks down his production process behind “Don’t Wake Me Up” (1:35:01). Finally, they deep-dive into the three-year journey behind his mega-hit “Ferrari” (1:44:32), his upcoming "SYNC Show," a

Episode 353: THE CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY “The ‘Club Yacht Rock’ Mixshow” On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew is joined by @TheCapts to discuss their new radio show on @SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock channel (1:07). They dive into why they chose Yacht Rock, citing its unique vibe and @Questlove’s take on it as “the best sitting down dancing music” (10:05), and introduce a star-studded guest DJ lineup including @DJAngieVee, @DJExcel, @Fashen, @DJGoldfingerNYC, @Monalisa7872, @DJJazzyJeff, @MyFavoriteDJ @IAmMarkRonson, @DJRobLV, @DJRizNYC, @MrSonnyJames, @StevenHartkaMusic, and @ZTrip (13:50). They break down their top Yacht Rock tracks (19:40)and discuss the evolution from Season 1 to Season 2 of their show (31:01).. The episode also features a candid discussion on the relevance of DJ agencies today (1:07:20), the emergence of “Detroit-style” LA (1:15:10) and exclusive membership clubs (1:24:50). This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and communi

Episode 352: DJ MOMA “The Grind Behind EveryDayPPL And The Cost Of Legacy” On this week’s episode, the crew is joined by the ever-insightful @DJMoma, who dives deep into his recent creative process and thoughts on the global music scene. Moma compares the energy and music cultures of Cape Town and Johannesburg (01:33). He shares how he’s been drawing music in South Africa (14:10), collaborating with local artists and cooking up new Amapiano tracks from scratch in old-school jam sessions (20:10). Moma addresses Everyday People inspired parties (30:00), breaks down his philosophy behind throwing international parties and the cultural risks involved (28:20) and the crew touches on the gatekeeping still present in NYC nightlife (56:01). The crew discuss the value of anniversary parties (1:39:01) and whether YouTube DJ party channels are really profitable (1:55:40). Later, Crooked brings up the rise of watered-down Afro house (2:14:30), prompting Moma to call out the "elevator music" version of the genre doing a

The ROAD 10: Junior Sanchez The 'ROAD 10' is a bonus segment featuring a curated set of 10 questions inspired by the 'Proust Questionnaire.' These consistent, reflective, and often revealing questions are asked to every guest at the end of their appearance on the Road Podcast (Reflections of a DJ). True to its name, the 'ROAD 10' offers a unique glimpse into each guest's personality, values, and preferences, blending humor, introspection, and candid moments. Originally exclusive to Road Podcast Patreon subscribers, these interviews are now available on YouTube after a one-month debut on Patreon. The 'ROAD 10' is designed to offer viewers a memorable and intimate connection with each guest.

Episode 351: JUNIOR SANCHEZ On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas are joined by record producer, DJ, and record executive, New Jersey house legend @JuniorSanchez. Junior discusses the close connection between hip hop and house music, a bond that’s not as strong today (04:10), and how homophobia in hip hop contributed to the separation of the scenes (06:10). He also shares his journey into DJing (15:10) and his graffiti background (25:01). Junior highlights his time with @ArmandVanHelden (33:01) and speaks about his experiences traveling the world (1:01:30). The conversation touches on the success of dance DJs like @ErickMorillo (1:25:15) and the rise of dance/EDM DJs (1:26:10). Junior also discusses the advice he gave to @Madonna (1:47:01) and the impact of #JustinTimberlake’s “SexyBack” on the rise of dance music (1:55:00). Finally, Junior dives into the process of multi-tracking and how he got his hands on multi-tracks (2:17:40).