Meet The Producers - Where are you from?
DJ SOULiva - The South side of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The South Valley to be more specific.
MTP - Do you make beats?
S - Yeah, I do.
MTP - Who are your top 3 producers?
S - It depends on the time of day. I can't just pick 3.
Between Pete Rock,Premier, Large P, Diamond D,
Finesse, Muggz, Shadow, Quik, Dre, Alchemist.
I guess today at 2:17 pm. I would say Quik, Alchemist,
and Marley Marl. But it will probably change in a
couple of minutes.
MTP - What was your first piece of equipment and what do you use now?
S - My first piece of equipment was my mom's coffee table record player and a 8 track. Then way after was some generic belt drive tables and a Dr. Sample. Now it's an Akai Mpc2000xl, 2 technic turntables, a vestax mixer and original wax.
MTP - I was first introduced to you by youtube. Explain to our readers what your youtube channel is about.
S - Well It started off by me searching the channels to see if anybody posted videos of their record collection. I didn't really find anything. But I did come across a couple videos of photos of an album cover and playing the song in its entirety. So I
thought it would be a cool little idea to post a vid of some random records of mine and focus on just the break, or sampled part. I did it because it's something that I would like to have seen.
MTP - How important is the diggin culture to Hip Hop?
S - Very, very important! And I take it very seriously.
But in a fun way. You gotta have fun in whatever you
do. Some days I wish the whole culture would die, and
everybody got rid of all their records, and I could be
the last of the dying breed and scoop everything
up. Nah, Nah just joking. But really.
MTP - How many records do you own?
S - Probably around 8,000 lp's and about 2,000 45's. Plus
another 3,000 Lp's that I sell at record conventions
and shows around the way.
MTP - What are the best diggin spots?
S - For me it's been Yard sales, rummage sales, and virgin
thrift shops. But any place can be the best spot if
time is on your side
MTP - What inspired you to do these "diggin in the crates" youtube videos?
S - My inspiration has been producers and the reaction you get from someone when you show them the original lick of something. And that feeling that you get when you hear it for the first time.
MTP - Your exposing a lot of rare records. Any negative responses for doing so?
S - Thanks. I guess it all depends on who you ask. Cause I know some grumpy ol' collector is just read this question and is saying "Those records aren't rare!!!"
I got a copy of blah, blah, blah and theres only 3 copies known to man. Thats rare!!" But the majority of feedback has been positive. There has been a couple
of responses saying that "I'm exposing the secrets of hip-hop" and stuff like that. But these aren't secrets. They have all been used before. Besides some of the earlier episodes that I'm not aware of some of the cuts being sampled before. And some of the same people that have said this stuff send me messages asking about artists, albums, song names, samples etc. But the way I see it is that at least your getting to hear the sample in it's original form with the cover and all. But believe me I'm not showing everything, I have my special stuff that I keep for my own ears.
MTP - How do you feel about digital digging?
S - It's a bunch of shit!!! wait. In which way? Because there are two ways. The ones who think digging on limewire and file sharing sites is digging. And theres the ebay and dustygroove diggers. The 1st group of people are suckers. The 2nd group it's ok if you incorporate buying online and actually go out and get your hands dirty. Your just using every possible resource. If you don't click and buy it somebody else
will. So both ways require you getting to it first. But you shouldn't just stay online all day and never get out. What fun is that?
MTP - In your opinion, does Serato better the DJ culture or take away from it?
S - Uh oh here we go! well real quick I don't think it makes it better. It makes it easier. But that doesn't mean it makes it better. The 1 thing I can say it's
better for is those who wanna play their beats, remixes, etc at their gig. But that's it. They should have certain requirements in order to own Serato. Not
anybody should be able to get. One requirement should be that whatever you play you should own 90% on wax. The other 10% is your gift for putting in work.
My favorite part of watching DJs perform is watching them go through their crate pull out the record and mix it in. Then your like "Damn they found a copy of
that". Now it's like "Oh he downloaded that". But you can see who the real heads. The real ones still dig. Even if they have the mp3 their still looking for the
vinyl. For other people the search stops when its on their hard drive. I just don't see how you can compare an mp3 file and album artwork on a monitor to an
actual physical copy of an album. But real DJs won't stop digging no matter what new type of technology is invented.
MTP - Have you ever been to a beat battle?
S - Nah. Personally I don't like the fact of my beats being judged by anybody. I have a really wide range of sounds that I like. So depending on my mood. Something can sound amazing to me, and sound like shit to you. And what you might think is dope, might sound like garbage to me. If that makes any sense.
MTP - Whats your thoughts on the whole keyboard vs.sample beat discussion?
S - I'm leaning towards the sample beats. But I can't take anything away from beats with a keyboard. But I think you should incorporate both. Or at least know how to
use both. I'm thinking of artist's like Quik, and Slick dogg. I got much more love for those who use samplers and keyboards than computer programs. But I feel all samples should be used from their original format.
MTP - How do you feel about the beats that are used in music today?
S - Going back to the last question they sound too programmed. They lack that gritty sound. I'm not speaking for all beats though. Another thing is I think some beats are are getting way too technical, Unless you're doing an instrumental album it's
cool. But I miss older Simple beats. A couple layered samples or loops with hard drums.
MTP - What is the worst studio session you have ever been involved with?
S - I've had a few. But mainly somebody will bring over their homeboy who thinks he's a rapper and wants beats from me. And it's always the wackest shit I've ever
heard. Mostly some wannabe gansta shit. That or some kid who sounds like he's reciting a thesaurus. Just stuff I wouldn't be caught dead with their lyrics
over my beats.
MTP - What projects are you currently working with?
S - I'm always in middle of mix tapes, and upcoming beats. But struggling with every day life, it's always hard to find time to just stop and work on a certain project.
MTP - What's something the readers may not know about you?
S - I'm a jack of trades! I'm a student in the morning, Repo man and Porn shop project manager in afternoons, and a Dj at night. I just recently got engaged. I also collect
cassettes, Nintendo and Super Nintendo games. And my favorite band is a Love metal group from Helsinki Finland named HIM.
MTP - Whats your contact info?
S - soulonely505@yahoo.com , http://www.youtube.com/user/souliva -- Before you ask. I don't fuck with myspace. But my homeboy's from my Dj crew got one. It's
http://www.myspace.com/alafaderzcrew -- I might have some random beats and pictures on there.
MTP - Any last words?
S - Thank you for this interview. Readers hit me up if you got any vinyl for sale or
trade, or if your ever in New Mexico.
What's up to my fellow Nuevo Mexico Dj homeboy's Ala Faderz Crew-Heavy rotation, Marv rock, Episode, and also Clout, Shakedown, n Justincredible. And to my lady Jodie, I love you. God Bless.
DJ SOULIVA "WITHOUT LOVE" BEAT
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