DOW JONES  (April 2011) | Interviewer Justin Melo

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Interview was done in March 2011

Questions Asked By: Justin Melo

Dubcnn: We’re right here with DJ Dow Jones. How did you become a Canadian Shadyville DJ? Correct me if I'm wrong, you are one of few?

Yeah as far as I know I’m the only one. I was booked in Minneapolis with my dude D-Mil, and for over a year he's been telling me that I need to meet this DJ - Mr. Peter Parker, just so happens this was the first time we were all booked to play the same party and shit just snowballed from there. We both have big personalities and a heavy hustle. We ended up killing the party that night, and Peter was like "I’m gonna hook you up." I’ve heard that a 1000 times before so I’ve trained myself to not to take comment like that to serious. When I got home back to Winnipeg, I get a text from Peter Saying Check your twitter, it said "Congrats to DJ Dow Jones he just became a made man Shadyville DJS" next thing I know I’m on a 3-way call with Peter Parker and Akio who runs the crew. Crazy!!!


Dubcnn: What's the biggest difference DJ'ing in Canada & USA?

I find it easier to drop new music in the USA. It’s harder to break records in Canada because there is not a lot of hip hop on the radio. I'm Lucky to have a mix show on the only commercial hip hop station in my city www.streetzfm.ca "THE PRE GAME" every Fri from 8-9 central time. They give me a 100% freedom to play what I want, which is very rare in radio, so I dedicate most of my show to breaking new records and introducing new artists to a Canadian market.


Dubcnn: That’s great. How did you first hook up with Bishop Lamont?

My Boys brought him into Winnipeg to do a show, and asked me if I could back him up because he wasn't traveling with a DJ. I was all about it, when he arrived at the venue, not even two minutes after meeting him he made me feel like I was apart of the crew. We started working out his set for the night, and during sound check I was telling him about this project O was working on called the "Free Trade Agreement" and that’s when he played me "I'm Faded" and I bugged out, like I need that record!


Dubcnn: It’s a great song. When did you become his official tour DJ what was your reaction like when he presented that to you?

It kinda just happened, he got booked for another show in Vancouver and I was asked again to back him up, then the booking agent said they are looking to do some dates in Europe in April and asked if I was free. So I hit him up and asked him if I can put this on my resume (laughs). He's a good dude and like I said before, he instantly made me feel like I was part of the crew.


Dubcnn: Ok awesome. Tell us about your recent mixtape "The Free Trade Agreement."

I feel like I can write a book on this project. I was never really a Mixtape DJ, I just like to play live and on the radio, but I’ve had this idea in my head for the past couple years about putting together this project. The name was already their, but after meeting Mr Peter Parker and the Shadyville affiliation, I knew it was the right time to make it happen. There are so many amazing Emcees and Producers on it this tape and I’m proud of every track. It took a lot of work to put together and I feel like every track has its own story, but the end result was well worth it.


Dubcnn: The idea is genius - explain it to our readers.

It's simple, the original idea was to take 10 beats from Canadian producers and put 10 USA Emcees on them, and vice versa. I just wanted to help build a better working relationship between artists and producers in Canada and the USA. For the most part that’s how the tape worked out, but at points went beyond that and turn into collaboration songs, such as Bishop Lamont (LA) featuring SonReal (Vancouver) and Torae (New York) feat Fenom (Winnipeg) which is amazing to be a part of. I feel that I’ve had a few really good breaks this year and it feels good to be able to help an artist get to that next level.

Some of my favorite songs on this tape came from artists I've never heard of before they submitted their songs ex: Rite Hook, T.O.N.Y and Beige O'Bannon and even west coast artist Holladay all killed their tracks. At the same time, getting to showcase some of my favorite Canadian emcees and hopefully introduce them to a wider market ex: Rich Kidd, JD Era, SonReal and King Reign. And then to drop two single's with Video's from Bishop Lamont and NBS (Natural Born Spitters) and get amazing response and feedback for both artist and the project, it’s been a dream come true.


Dubcnn: Regarding the idea, do you think there is a good working relationship between Canadian & USA rappers?

There has been a relationship there for a while but it was like a distant cousin type relationship. But I do think that in the last few years we're starting to be taken a bit more seriously. There is definitely a lot more work to do and "The Free Trade Agreement” is just another step closer.


Dubcnn: And to what extent do you think Drake has had to do with the improvement of that relationship?

In the last few years, Kardinal [Offishall] signing with Akon and Drake to Young Money has for sure raised the bar as far as where your hustle game can take you being a Canadian Artist.


Dubcnn: No doubt. What's your personal opinion on Drake?

I think he's a good song writer and I’m very proud of him for what he's been able to accomplish.


Dubcnn: Do you think he & Justin Bieber got snubbed at the Grammy's in the best new artist category?

I think he thinks that. Awards are cool to get but they don't validate what you are doing or what your worth. He's winning at everything he's doing; he should be good with that.


Dubcnn: Which rappers are you currently working closely with or co-signing? Canadian emcees specifically?

Rich Kidd (Emcee and Producer) he's amazing at both. You will hear a lot about him this year.

SonReal (rookie of the year) Even though he's been around for a few years, I really believe this is his time, he's really grown into his own artist and would feel comfortable putting him on a track with any major label artist knowing he would hold his own.

JD Era I'm just a fan...dude is sick.

King Reign has a very unique style and voice and is great song writer.


Dubcnn: Nice breakdown. Tell us about the Nate Dogg foundation you have a hand in that Bishop Lamont is heading.

I just got off the phone with Bishop and he said "Me and Warren G will have some info for them in a few weeks.”


Dubcnn: Ok cool. We look forward to that. What's next up for DJ Dow Jones?

I’ll be playing in Cancun for Spring Break from March 11 to 18th. I’ll also be in Japan April 1st – April 4th. There may be some possible European tour dates coming with Bishop Lamont at the end of April as well.

I’m also getting started on "The Free Trade Agreement 2" by taking beat submissions from Canadian and USA producers.


Dubcnn: Ok cool. Do you have any last words before I let you go?

I just wanna’ thank DUBCNN for supporting me and this project. And to all the artists, producers, and everyone involved with creating The Free Trade Agreement!

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