Featured: DJ Semtex
That's right, we sat down with arguably one of the biggest DJ's in Europe right now to talk everything from his little fiasco with Wale to the state of UK Hip-Hop. The man that brings you some of the more exclusive interviews gets the tables turned, pun intended. Enter Semtex.illRoots.com Okay, I'm going to get right to it. You recently interviewed DC native Wale in which he told of his feelings toward interviews and in most case interviews can get very tedious but what is your opinion on artists and interviews?
Semtex: Its very simple, the interview is your platform to sell yourself, it's brand building, it's your introduction. The more entertaining or interesting the interview, the more likely that people will click on to your myspace page, check out your music, request it on the radio, and may possibly by a ticket for your show or your new joint on iTunes. Yeah artists get asked the same questions, but everybody doesn't hear those same answers. My audience is different to DJ Skee's on the West Coast, or Cut Killer in Paris, France. Unless an artist is totally of the wall, it's only after a 2nd or 3rd interview that you can build a relationship and take it there with a different approach or line of questioning. I've got a pretty good relationship with most artists in the game, from Chuck D to Lil Wayne. I'm up for a Sony radio award re. my last interview with Kanye West, which is kind of a big deal out here if I get it. Re. the Wale situation, it was always going to be a disaster. I'd been waiting 90 minutes, because his label rep didn't know how to connect the call. it was a phone interview which means your communication is limited (speech only counts for 7% of the communication process, fact), I don't really know him that well, there was a delay on the line, and he was tired. In hindsight I should have crashed the interview because it wasn't the best situation, but I was driven by the fact that I wanted to make the Obama show that I was working on, the hottest show possible. The Twitter incident was a learning experience, we were discussing in public something that should have been addressed in a call, but its all good. I'm cool with Wale, when he's back in the UK and passes through my show it will definitely be an event, and i'm sure he's going to be the most interviewed artist of 09'.
illRoots.com: Moving past that, since I won't DJ Vlad the situation out. If you were to go back and bring a group that isn't necessarily 'Hip-Hop' and bring them into this realm whom would it be and why?
Semtex: The JB's. We need more classic breaks. You may never see anything like them again, it's too expensive to make that kind of music now.
illRoots.com: Being from the other side of the pond, I know you have some very talented producers and artists, Miles Timothy (Crayzee Banditt), is one of my favorites. As well as Dready Beats, his stuff with Busta is phenomenal. Give me some up and comers that you would recommend that are relatively unknown?
Semtex: On the Grime tip there's Maniac, and Rude Kid. On the Dubstep tip, Benga is probably the best in the game right now, I heard he's working with Salaam Remi at the moment. On the Funky House tip its all about Crazy Cousins, they are destroying the clubs. There's a lot happening out here.
illRoots.com: Where do you derive your DJ name from?
Semtex: I wanted a name that was self fulfilling. Semtex is an explosive, ie 'I blow things up' on every level.
illRoots.com: Explain the significance of Dizzee Rascal to the UK?
Semtex: At the age of 24, he is the first successful MC to have 3 Gold albums without compromising his sound. He is unique, highly original, and focused 360.
From lyrics to production he is a master of his craft. You can hear the DNA of Dizzee in every up & coming MC out here. If it isn't his flow, its his song structures, or rhyming pattern. Take your pick album sales, global impact, tour dates, or influence on pop culture. He is the UK's no.1. Anyone who disagrees is in denial.
illRoots.com: Out of all the artists you've interviewed, one person that you haven't interviewed yet that you find intriguing and why?
Semtex: Dr. Dre. he is truly the greatest of all time. Look at the timeline, from the World class Wrecking Crew, to NWA, to, Snoop, to Tupac, to Eminem, to 50 Cent, to Detox.
I mean, where do you start?
SEMTEX TV - LIL WAYNE INTERVIEW [CALLS OUT EMINEM] from DJ SEMTEX on Vimeo.
illRoots.com: The grime scene in the UK elaborate on that if you don't mind?
Semtex: The Grime scene is our own music, it's our own Hip-Hop, our voice of the streets. The beats, the flows, the slang are all distinctly UK.
illRoots.com: So I know a few people from that side of the world, and your slang is ridiculous. Give me some common slang terms that you guys used and what they mean per se?
Semtex: Listen to anything by Dizzee, Durrty Goodz, Ghetz, or Wiley, hit me up, and I'll give you the translation.
illRoots.com: As you move along where exactly do you feel your career is going toward? Do you think that more production is in your future?
Semtex: I'll know by the ned of this year. I've got a few projects about to jump off, whichever works first, that's where i'm at.
illRoots.com:You play alot of classic hip-hop, What is your take on the evolution of Kanye West and give me some thoughts on his most recent project?
Semtex: Kanye is the most prolific, exciting artist in the game right now.
He is the only guy that can tour the world, produce Jay-z's next album, launch new artists, launch shoe ranges with 2 different corporations, whilst taking the biggest risk of his career with an album based on him singing, which just so happens to be one of the biggest selling albums of the year, and he does hot interviews! His ability to inspire, but still be inspired is what separates him from everyone else. He has a vast knowledge of artists from different genres from across the globe,which gives him an edge over any competition. The Global Perspective is what gives any artist longevity in this industry. Hip-Hop needs him right?
illRoots.com: DJ Semtex is _____.
Semtex: One of the best DJ's alive, you can ask about me....
illRoots.com: Last song you spin before you retire is ______.
Semtex: Public Enemy - Rebel Without A Pause
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