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interview 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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