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DJ SCANDALOUS (September
2010) | Interview By:
Chad Kiser 
Hearing a DJ & R&B singer siding together to make great music is
something unheard of. DJ Scandalous is one DJ that respects all genres of
music and if it sounds good, he will show it some love. Building a great
reputation in his early college years DJ Scandalous has a story to tell with
his up and coming mixtape “Inspired by True Events”, this from what he stays
is music that will take listeners inside his world.
Teaming up with popular France artist Matt Houston, the two have joined
forces to introduce their sound to the world. While Matt Houston holds it
down overseas and Scandalous in the western part of the world, coming
together was only right, they dominate continent by continent.
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Interview was done in September 2010 Questions Asked By:
Chad Kiser
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Dubcnn Exclusive – DJ Scandalous
By: Chad Kiser
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Dubcnn: DJ Scandalous, what's going on fam? This year you've been on the
grind taking your career to the next level. What made you step on the gas
this year?
I've always been supporting other artists and producing for them,
putting my projects off to the side when one day I got to a point where I
decided to focus on myself. This year is just the kick start. Next year,
it's on!
Dubcnn: Out of curiosity, why you even call yourself DJ Scandalous? Honestly
off gate it sounds like someone up to no good (laughs)?
True, but that isn't the reason for the name. I got it from friends during
my early days in college cause I'd spin pop music 6p-10pM, hip-hop music
10p-2a and a couple of times country music at weddings. I don't limit
myself. Anybody who knows me will tell you if you sit me down in front of a
radio and switch to any station, there's an 80% chance I will either know
the artist name(s) and/or the title(s) of
the song(s) and that goes for pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, alternative,
whatever. I'm an open book. It's the same when I make beats. No beat sounds
the same. If you listened to my catalog, you'd think the beats were made by
different people.
Dubcnn: Getting into the earlier years of your career when you decided you
wanted to DJ. We at dubcnn.com want the history?
As I stated earlier, I love all genres of music as long as it sounds good.
Growing up I listened to everything and I loved to create mixes. College is
when I was introduced to DJing, so I'd leave the campus Thursdays or Fridays
to work. I didn't tell friends at the time because I was embarrassed about
spinning the variety of music that I did, but no one could tell me what I
couldn't spin! They found out later on and that's how I got the name
"Scandalous".
Dubcnn: Of course there are many different DJ's in the industry. Mixtape
DJ's, Radio, Club, you name it. Where would you categorize yourself or would
you say you’re the jack of all trades?
I'm more of a radio DJ. I can pick out a song on anyone's album that I'd
feel would be the best single and eventually it would be. For example, when
I was little, I bumped "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "Skys The Limit" before
they were released as singles. I'm not a huge fan of mixtapes, though Chris
Brown & Tyga's mixtape has changed my opinion.
Dubcnn: DJ Khaled has definitely taken the DJ brand to a new level over the
last few years. Watching someone like him, does it give you motivation that
DJ's really can turn it up a notch?
Every DJ should have something unique about them. DJ Khaled is amazing at
bringing the best out of an artist. DJ Drama is phenomenal in the mixtape
game. Funkmaster Flex is a great radio DJ. That's what all DJ's should
strive for, but in their own unique way.
Dubcnn: Being out in the west coast, how do you feel about the current scene
now? Anything refreshing or same ole, same ole?
West coast...same ol' ol', especially in LA. LA is pop central, so they want
to hear what's hot. DJ's in San Diego spin house music all night and I hear
the complaints all the time. Spin something different, mainstream and
underground. Mix Flo-Rida with Playboy-T, mix Rick Ross with Napoleon Da
Legend, mix Lady GaGa with Maxi-Madelynn Wood then throw some house music
in. But hearing the
same songs all the time is annoying. The world isn't an ice cream truck so
stop playing "Turkey in the Straw" all the time.
Dubcnn: You're a duo with the popular artist overseas named Matt Houston.
You're a DJ and he sings, speaking musically. How is the chemistry with you
working together?
I've kept the prefix "DJ" but I actually rap the verses and he sings the
choruses. The chemistry is definitely there but a lot of times I'm the one
who presents to him the music and lyrics and say "sing this". Now he wants
me to come into his world and present to me his ideas. It should be
interesting.
Dubcnn: For the fact you have a relationship with an artist overseas how
would you compare it to the U.S, market wise?
The markets overseas are a lot smaller, that's why you can sell one million
copies here and go platinum but sell 300,000 in France and go platinum. It's
a bigger market here. Matt has conquered the market overseas, now it's time
to conquer the USA, the big leagues from CBA to NBA.
Dubcnn: Do you agree when people say the U.S. Music scene gets caught up
more in gimmick than actual content of an artist?
Of course and it'll get worse as time goes by. Back in the day, it was all
about craftsmanship. Now, it's about how much appeal you'll have to the
audience. I blame that on MP3 and technology. The more we advance, the
easier it'll be to get a hold of songs for free which is more money out the
record labels and artist's pockets which will generate new outlets to get
money, focusing less on the artist's skill
and more on the artist's image.
Dubcnn: DJ Scandalous and Matt Houston just released the record "Shawty A
Gangsta" ft. Red Cafe and Napoleon Da Legend. Would you happen to have a
special woman that's a gangsta?
The song was originally written with Nicki Minaj in mind, but personally I
don’t have a "shawty" who's a "gangsta"... at the moment. I have a "shawty",
but she's no where near "gangsta". [laughs]
Dubcnn: The record doing some research has been shelved for some time. Now
why you and Matt Houston decided to finally push it full force to the
masses?
Matt has been battling with record companies, starting with Universal
France/Barclay then Warner France (whom he eventually didn't sign to). I
battled with Universal France/Milan and Spellbind Records before I quit
doing music overseas. We've had our own projects but never created the time.
We weren't nearly as serious about as we are now since our schedules pretty
much have opened up.
Dubcnn: You have a new mixtape coming soon called "Inspired By True Events".
The title alone raises the questions, what realities in your life we will
hear on the project?
You’ll hear about my relationship with a previous girlfriend, music industry
struggles, coping with friends who've given their lives for our country,
coping with friends who've died in the streets, etc. I make "singles", but I
also make "album songs". You can call the mixtape an album but I guarantee
you no song is alike, lyrically or beat-wise.
Dubcnn: For the fans soon to hear of DJ Scandalous and Matt Houston, why you
two as a duo are superstars?
I've produced records that have sold half a million copies overseas. I've
written lyrics for Raynard Miner and Stevie Wonder. Check Matt Houston's
credits. He's the King of R&B in France. He's sold more than a million
records. He has over 2 million YouTube hits. We ARE superstars.
Dubcnn: Finally, where can fans of DJ Scandalous reach out at?
Simple,
Twitter if you need anything...except money.
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