Superstardom: How To Be A Superstar DJ

Mixtapes 101 - What it takes to make a mixtape

The process of making a mixtape is actually a lot harder than it looks. Whenever I'm working on a new cd, the majority of my day is spent gathering music. I have to track down artists and talk to record label execs to see what they have and then I spend hours on the computer. I'm usually on there for HOURS! I'm scoping out all the hot websites and even checking out other DJ's sites to see what they're pushing. Sometimes the entire process may take me 12 or 13 hours to complete.

The process of creating a mixtape:

Mixtapes are about 80 minutes long. The key factor for me is to select the best 25 tracks that I possibly can. Lots of mixtape deejays use snippets of songs to try to "cheat" and boost their tracklist.

Getting the mixtape done is usually hectic and it can sometimes come down to the wire. For example, sometimes a record label exec will call me with a hot song and I have to rework the whole mixtape. I'm usually up all night.

My graphic designer lives in Europe, so our schedules never match up. I'm usually on the phone with him at 2 A.M. trying to get my design done.

The aspects of a successful mixtape:

Getting a good collection of music. It depends on what the artists are dropping. Artists really determine the quality of the music, so basically they can make or break mixtapes. If all the well known artists are dropping garbage, that doesn't really leave much to work with. My formula is pretty simple, the mixtape usually starts off with the most well known artists in the beginning, then there's the freestyles, and then I promote new artists towards the end.

The current state of the mixtape industry:

Right now it's more about quantity than quality and I don't respect that! Nowadays, dudes are just downloading music, throwing them on a CD and dropping every 3 days and calling themselves mixtape DJ's. Good music can't come out every 3 days!

The music industry is falling off because these cats are dropping garbage. They are trying to make a quick buck. It's hard to stay competitive when these guys are flooding the market with poor quality mixtapes.

Then, sometimes the artists are another problem. A lot of up and coming artists are getting lazy. Their not as hungry as before and they're not grinding as hard as before. On top of that, now you'll run into new artists who won't even do freestyles. Not for mixtape deejays or even on their own mixtapes. I don't agree with that...that's crazy!

Who's Killin the Mixtape Game Right Now?

50 Cent has a new joint called "I Get Money," that joint is incredible!

Dipset is making a comeback. The new Hell Rell mixtape is crazy!

Max B just came home like 2 days ago. So, the Bird Gang is gonna come hard.

Of course, my man Stack Bundles (R.I.P. Stack) had the hardest grind in the mixtape industry. For real. These new dudes need to follow suit.

Besides mixtapes...the remainder of my day:

Even when I'm not making mixtapes my days can be pretty hectic. Today, I had to meet with some public officials, promoters, rappers and other deejays to get things finalized for The Northside Classic. Which is a non-profit basketball tournament that I'm hosting in Queens on July 28th.

I also just wrapped up shooting the last video for the new mixtape dvd "Shesus Khryst" that I did with Remy Ma. We were in Long Beach and the cops showed up. They were like "We got a call that a woman was strung up on a cross." It was halarious! The shoot turned out really well and the officers were really cool about it.

Plus, I was nominated for DJ of the Year at the 2007 Underground Music Awards, so I've been pushing the fans to go online and vote everyday.

The website address is: www.hiphoppalace.com

Buzzworthy mixtape artists:

Uncle Murda is killing the streets right now!
Top of Da Lyne is hot.
Storm P has the illest flow.
Jo Jo Pellegrino is also on his way back.

My Recommendations:

DJ Teardrops- I Run This Blend Shit and I'm feelin Big Mike and DJ Thoro's new joint.

My new projects:

Of course the "Shesus Khryst" mixtape dvd withwith Remy Ma is up next. Then Storm P's new joint "Mind, Muscle and Hustle" is dropping after that.

Plus, I'm finishing up a new joint called "Rap Formers" with my dude Big T. It's based on the Transformers movie. It'll feature exclusives from Jeezy, 50, Lil Wayne and Jadakiss.

And I'm working on a new R&B mixtape. It's Mary J. Blige vs. R. Kelly. I'm calling it "Respect Tha Throne, The Queen & King of R&B." It's gonna be hot.They started it all, so I gotta pay homage.

Ask Tha DJ:
Send me your questions. Wanna know about the mixtapegame or the music industry? Hit me up at: superstar.j@gmail.com. Put "Ask Jay" in the subject line.