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World Famous DJ Vibe

Written by Candace C. Smith

Phat Farm Clothing. Miramax Films. Wye Bar. Hamptons Magazine. Star Room. Lola Couture. These are just a smattering of the high profile events of which DJ Vibe has unleashed his turntable expertise. From receiving his first set of decks as a high school freshman, DJ Vibe made a name for himself through old school mix CDs, giving them to various distributors in New York City. In time these mixtapes became international successes. After releasing these CDs, Vibe was soon asked to DJ in clubs. From then on, Vibe has worked as a DJ mixing exclusive sets for exclusive crowds. But like most stories, especially about successful DJ’s, there is always a fateful beginning and middle.

Cazawa: Can I get some background info about you as a DJ? When did you get started?

DJ Vibe: I started when I was in high school. I got my first set of turntables at 14 and I soon began to DJ at local parties. I was also doing breakbeat records. While I was in college in New York, I interned at Def Jam, doing promotions. I met DJs there and was soon introduced to the mixtapes that I saw from the DJs that would come into the office. I saw that they were selling all over New York, on the internet and clubs.

Cazawa: How do you feel about the mixtape circuit today? Are there too many “bogus” DJs? Are there too many horrible mixtapes floating around? How would you tell people to go about making their own mixtapes?

DJ Vibe: There is controversy surrounding this issue and to get your name out there, the mixtape is an outlet for the DJ. A mixtape can be a lot of thing. I enjoy eclectic mixtapes, not just of new songs, but blends of old school with the new as well. I would suggest going for a contract to make a mixtape. I had connections but I chose to rely on myself.

Cazawa: How do you like the club atmosphere when you are DJ-ing?

DJ Vibe: My favorite time of night is between ten and twelve. That’s when I can play R&B, disco, and 70s-80s songs. From two to three am, I play more 80s and rock and roll, and this is when people have the best time.

Cazawa: What propels you to have eclectic DJ sets encompassing all genres of music?

DJ Vibe: I grew up listening to all kinds of music. From the time I was 16 and up I was working in clubs, so I grew up doing so.

Cazawa: What were some of your favorite engagements to spin at and why?

DJ Vibe: I’ve been DJ-ing at the Star Room (Hamptons) for three years and there is complete hands-on involvement.

Cazawa: Out of all the classes of DJs (street, mixtape, radio, etc) do you think there is one that gets the least or most amount of respect and why?

DJ Vibe: Music is so commercial nowadays. Radio DJs get the most love, but club DJs are the ones that break records.

Cazawa: How were your experiences interning in promotions for Island/Def Jam? Do you see this label being different in terms of business/roster from when you interned there to now?

DJ Vibe: Def Jam’s greatest success has been in their subsidiary records such as with Rocafella and the Diplomats. The worst aspect of Def Jam now is that its focus has become too much about politics rather than the record label itself.

Cazawa: What projects or club engagements are happening for you now or in the recent past?

DJ Vibe: I’ve been in the Hamptons all summer. I will come back in the Fall. For Labor Day, I’ll be at P. Diddy’s (now just Diddy) White Party. I’ll also be at magazine parties.

Cazawa: Is there one artist or artists that you would love to work with in the future?

DJ Vibe: Jay-Z has been my favorite artist from the beginning. I don’t really listen to club records that I play, but a mix of different genres, from 80s to new wave to funk.

Cazawa: What advice do you have for those reading this who are aspiring and practicing DJs looking to score more gigs or perhaps even notoriety?

DJ Vibe: Make sure your skills are as good as your word. There are people out there who have a publicist and are being promoted, but have no skills. Be a DJ first!

Official Website: http://www.djvibeinc.com
Contact A&M Entertainment for Booking

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