LAS VEGAS WEEKLY

LASVEGASWEEKLY

We wonder if JD can DJ and update his blog simultaneously.

What’s the difference between Jermaine Dupri the producer and Jermaine Dupri the DJ, and when did you learn to spin?

I started DJing first before I started producing. This is where the inspiration came from to get me making beats and wanting to be a producer … [DJing is] almost something I do now as hobby, for fun, to continue to keep the music fresh and me loving the music business.

How would you describe your Vegas set?

Usually, my set at Privé is all hip-hop for the most part. I like playing all the Vegas music and all the club shit that’s usually played in Vegas. I like going into that, because a lot of people don’t know that I know how to DJ that type of music as well. But for the most part, I’ve noticed that when I come on, the crowd is usually … waiting on me to bring that Southern hip-hop, that New York hip-hop—just hip-hop in general.

Do you play your own productions often?

People want to hear “Money Ain’t a Thang,” “Let’s Get Married,” “Sleeping in my Bed,” the list goes on and on. I started incorporating more Bow Wow records and old Brat records and whatever. Those come from requests, though. For the most part, that’s not usually in my set. I do play Ocean’s 7 music; whatever’s current that I have out I play.

Calendar

Jermaine Dupri at Privé
June 26 & July 4, 10:30 p.m.
523-6002
Beyond the Weekly
Jermaine Dupri’s blog

In the Vegas megaclubs, it seems like there’s a lot less breaking new records and more recycled tracks. Why do you think many DJs keep playing the same songs?

The DJ of the 2000s wasn’t the “break music” DJ. The motto of the 2000s DJ has been just “create a set.” That’s pretty much everywhere. I think people like myself started DJing more and let people see I’ll play whatever because can’t nobody tell me what to do. I just think that these DJs that don’t really have names, they’re just trying to keep the attention of the crowd, and I think that’s hard enough for them. So playing new music will fuck their whole set up.

Last year, you said, “The DJ is dead.” Is there any chance of bringing them back to life?

That wasn’t talking about club DJs. What I grew up knowing what a DJ was is not what a DJ is today … On the radio, they call people that talk “DJs.” Those guys are not DJs. They are radio personalities. They’re not DJs. They don’t touch turntables. They don’t put on one record … The people that I thought was responsible for breaking music? They definitely wasn’t doing it. They definitely weren’t trying to open the door for new music … “So who’s the DJ now?” That’s what I was basically asking. It was more of an executive thing from a record company standpoint of me asking, “Who was gonna break my music?”

Who do you think breaks the music now?

The fans are dictating the breakage of new music … All the new music that’s coming out that’s hot, it’s coming from independent artists, and the fans want to hear this independent music. Take for instance Drake. Drake is an independent artist, and the people want to hear his records.

You and Ocean’s 7 (Dupri, Nelly, Usher, Bryan-Michael Cox, Trey Songz, Johnta Austin and Tyrone Davis) just came out with the track “Vegas Baby.” What’s so great about this town?

What’s great about Vegas? What ain’t great about Vegas? It’s damn near everything that you could possibly do all in one place … It’s always been said that people go to Vegas when their careers are over … But when the Palms was built, when the Maloofs came, you could feel the synergy start to turn into younger people getting ready to take over Vegas … Now, Vegas is a place that if you really want to have a good time—and we’re about having a good time—[Vegas is] the place you’re supposed to be at.

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14 Comments
  1. obviously JD
    is bringing Dj-ing
    back…
    good article luv..

  2. Yo whats good with the updates on youtube?
    Y’all dudes are missed! LOL

  3. JD, we need Living The Life back on youtube! whens is coming bk?

  4. wat up jd this article is aight! u right bout radio dj r radio personalities not dj! im glad u r dj and showing put wat it is all about! the music!

  5. Yo jd this shit was good ut i need them clear bloc…tom ford shades u got son!!!! Them shits hurtin my soul right now!!!LOL

  6. that’s good u play more hip hop when u dj, especially n vegas or else pple wud b dancing to the same music as the last club… 4 those ppl like myself that want to start dj’ing wut type of equipment wud u recommend to get started?

  7. This article was good. Keep doing your thang JD.

  8. Thanx for the advice “Tobeeezy”.
    As I said befor we’re “harrassing” bcause we want to help JD, to work with him and improve
    music with him.
    I was always told never to discard and that’s why I keep sending messages.

    I didn’t JD said earlier “If you get recommended by various sources, he’ll check you out!”
    I like the idea but you I think u can not judge an artist, a producer because some sources recommanded
    I believe that sending him more of our sound he will have a better idea.
    JD knows the industry so he knows what he needs.
    Real recognise real.

    thank you again “tobeezy”

  9. JD, PLEASE do a video for ‘I Need That Girl’…that is so ME! The collaboration of the Oceans is great.

  10. Boy, you be concentrating JD! lol! A future goal of mine is to attention a party that you are DJ-ing at! Random… DJ JD! lmao! I’m such a loser at times.

  11. I’m glad you are suited and booted. Once you hit 30 why look like you are 19? Your DJ comments are still crazy!!! But I understand what you are trying to say, but MOST radio personalities can get on the 1’s and 2’s also…. But let’s not start that debate!!! Who is breaking new artist??????? I got the answer for you!!! YOU TUBE…..

    Man you always are DJing and practicing where the tricks at? You need to spin around, stand on your head or something!!!! This is suppose to be entertainment,,,step your game up!!! LOL I saw Kidd Capri one time live…..Dude is sick!!! USING RECORDS…NOT THAT COMPUTER JUNK!!!! YOU USE A MPC TO MAKE BEATS BUT USE A COMPUTER TO DJ!!!!! LOL

    Spock

    I saw the Michael Jackson tribute today,,,, His little girl broke me down!!!

  12. YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!! REPPIN 702 ALL DAY MR.GENERAL 🙂
    IMA LIFER && OCEANS SUPPORTER FO LIFE !!!!!!

    CANT WAIT TIL YALL ALL COME BACK 🙂
    SO WHEN IS THAT????

  13. Not a chick magnet but a bad b!tch magnet! Ha Ha that’s right Nelly, keep rep’n “the Lou” Derrty! I like that, Vegas baby!

  14. I’m a party promoter from Amsterdam and I think you’re right about the 2000s DJ’s. We got the same problem here the dj’s are scared to play new records, but they forget that almost everyone has internet and is updating really quick these times. Please come and save the hip-hop r&b clubscene in Holland!

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