Mixing With The Best
He may be known as the man behind 50 Cent, but mixtape veteran DJ Whoo Kid has been busy making tracks of his own. Having stepped onto the hip hop circuit more than ten years ago, Whoo Kid shows no sign of slowing pace.
What initially inspired you to become a DJ?
I got my inspiration from living in Queens, NY near Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J and many other rappers in my neighbourhood. DJ Clue? (mixtape DJ) lives two blocks away from me.
You have said that people ‘need a believable story’ to get by in this business. What’s yours?
Being around real people like 50 Cent and Eminem makes life easy. They taught me to be myself and show people that we are equal in some ways.
When you were starting out, did you imagine that your mixtapes would be as successful as they have been?
No - I just wanted to impress my nearby friends and family with my tapes. It was a cool hobby.
Aside from the right host, what are the key ingredients of a good mixtape?
Key ingredient is doing a mixtape with a hot artist.
Music seems to date so quickly these days. How do you foresee what is going to be hot and keep the releases fresh?
I’m lucky that most of the rappers and singers send me songs early because I do Sirius radio on Eminem's channel in the US. So I get to choose what's hot.
What DJs do you respect in the game at the moment?
DJ Clue?, DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ Mr Cee, DJ Drama, DJ Scream, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Jam-Master Jay RIP, Grand Master Flash and Tim Westwood (UK) and Cut Killer (France).
We’ve seen some pretty shocking photos of 50 following his drastic weight loss. Maybe you could give him a burger (or ten) on our behalf?
Haha! I got him eight pizzas after the movie; his weight is back.
You have already worked with so many high profile artists. Any more names you hope to add to the list?
I’m cool. Politically, I’ve worked with all my dream artists; shout out to Snoop Dogg.
You have been described as a ‘marketing genius’ and your realm has expanded to business and other areas outside of DJing. Where does your entrepreneurial drive come from?
Being Haitian makes it easy. Island people can do ten jobs and don't get phased.
What can we expect from a DJ Whoo Kid set?
Hits after hits after hits and girls getting wet.
DJ Whoo Kids plays Sin City March 5 and Magic City at The Church March 12.
