Memphis Crate Diggaz: Spinnin’ In Da Mix
by Shariee Jones
Get close and personal with DJs who possess the drive to get paid while mixing hot music on the one’s and two’s. You would never believe how much they all have in common, but with their own story to tell! Just like music. Bringing the music to the public is important and a key element to crossing over mainstream. These blazing DJs helped market and cut some of the hottest hip hop artists’ first checks. For the DJs I didn’t mention, I’ll catch you next round.
1. Howard Q. (WHRK-K97) The founder of Voice Entertainment that was created on the second Sunday in March of 1989 at Tennessee State University, Howard Q. is revolutionary. He has created an album and over 20 mixtapes in the lifetime of his career.
With members such as Devin Steel, DJ 2 Smooth and “Hypo on Da Mic” the official MC, this team broke grounds. They brought house music and reggae to Memphis airwaves and broke artists’ music into the game like Mr. Del, Nelly, Gangsta Black, Playa Fly and Yo Gotti. Well-known as The Collegiate Connection created in 1992, Voice Entertainment brought the mixtapes to Nashville parties and Memphis own Denim-N- Diamonds. “I bought an entire culture to Memphis. I’m about economic power for the people,” he said.
In 1994, Howard Q. did mixes for Aqua Lounge and later in 1997 created a vibe that couldn’t be duplicated. The Collegiate Connections was the first to throw a big party at the Memphis Cook Convention Center and the first to do Wild, Water and Wheels in the summers of ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98 with an average of 10,000 people per event located on Whitten Road.
Among that, Howard Q. started Urban Thursdays in the fall of 1997 at Club 616 (Da Spot) and the original creator of First Fridays in Memphis. His team was the first to do parties at the Premier, parties after the Southern Heritage Classic and TSU games after-party.
“Our organization is to inspire entrepreneurship,” he said, speaking of promotions he does for Isaac Hayes as well.
Howard Q. was ‘the first DJ ever in Memphis radio history to have active shows on 3 radio stations’-K97, V 101.1 and Hot 107. Considered one of the godfathers of DJ history, Howard Q. has been a major influence directly and indirectly to some DJs and a backdrop for the entertainment movement.
“We wrote the first check to Boogaloo for Old School Sundays,” he said. “This is more than I played some music. I created an empowering and independent industry access in order for us to prosper.”
He’s the America’s Premier Steel Spinner!
Catch phrase: “If we’re entertaining, why the hell aren’t we controlling it”
2. Devin Steel (WHRK-K97) An original Technician DJ for six years and now a Core DJ, Devin Steels has been in radio for nine years but in his fourth year at K97. A national affiliation with DJs like Core DJ Big Tiger from Rap City on BET, Devin Steel has broken airwaves for 3-6 Mafia, Cash Money and Ludacris.
He is known to the be the first in history to had been the program director for Hot 107 and now the program director for K97. He had the number 1 afternoon show for seven years, nominated for the Afternoon Drive DJ of the Year along with K97 being considered Media Market of the Year in Urban Network Magazine.
Devin Steel was one of the first to become a core DJ. The Core DJs was created by Tony Neal based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Violator All-star DJ-DJ Scrap Dirty.
“All the DJ crews started from conference calls. From Hits Magazine, a music industry magazine, we got together to talk about new music, he said. “All the major DJs came out to network a couple times of the year.”
Devin Steel said that there’s a lot of Core DJs in key places and that it’s important to network while working closely with record labels. Core DJs have been able to talk to VPs and the president of music labels to help direct the artist in the right direction and connect them to the public.
“Sometimes we say, hey, that’s not the song he or she should go with. Theirs another song on this album that’s hot.”
Devin Steel said also that he worked the clubs before he was on the radio. He was a mixtape and club DJ until he went further into his career. He said that you must understand and know why you want to become a DJ or in a DJ crew.
“Do your research make sure that you have a purpose and goal,” he said. “If you can’t find anything that is beneficial than going out of town and going to a concert, then you in it for the wrong reasons.”
Among networking for profits and working your way up the corporate ladder, there’s long term friendships.
“Some of my best friends are the guys I’ve started in DJ crews with.”
Catch phrase: “I’m young but I’m an OG”
3. Boogaloo (Hot 107.1) With the “Best Damn Afternoon Show” at 3pm to 7pm and the “Best Damn Mix Show” at 5pm, Period! Boogaloo has been known to mix up the game with spice. Besides grilling shrimp in his spare time this Core DJ takes pride in what he does. Maybe that’s why he’s the co-owner of Boogaloo/ SilverSpoon Restaurant and the official DJ for the rap group 3-6 Mafia.
Boogaloo is reppin’ the Core DJs and said that in order to become affiliated there’s a voting process. “You have to be able to contribute to each others accomplishments, must have experience and knowledge,” he said.
He said that Core DJs was created by the vice president of the Technicians, the first national DJ crew. Boogaloo among other hot DJs, share this national affiliation with Devin Steel, Funkmaster Flex and Kid Capri.
In the mix, this DJ has broken hip hop artists’ music into the airwaves like 3-6 Mafia, Project Pat, Playa Fly, Gangsta Black, Pistol Pete, Ludacris, Jay Z and Cash Money.
Boogaloo has been a DJ since 1984 and has a track record to prove it. He once hosted the “Memphis Live” television show and was once the number 4 pick in the country for Billboard’s Radio Station Program Director. He has won the 2002 and 2003 Southern DJs of the Year Awards by the Memphis Grammy’s among his many other accomplishments.
Boogaloo was one of the first for many first. He was the first mixtape show DJ on Hot 107 and the first DJ to become programmer director at 107. He also started First Fridays and Old School Sunday in Clubs Live in Da Mix.
“We started Old School Sundays 8 years ago,” he said.
With that in mind, he’s well-known for working with members DJ Just Borne, Nappy Wilson and Superman.
His mixtape collection includes “Crucial Vol. 6: Boogaloo Exclusive hosted by TI,” “Ghetto Booty Tracks Vol.1 hosted by 3-6 Mafia” and “Live from Hard Rock Café.” Stay tuned for more.
Catch phrase: “You want to shoot straight for the top…its hard out here for a pimp”
4. Lil’ Larry (Hot 107.1) Hitzmen DJs was established 4 to 5 years ago with cofounder, Lil’ Larry. Breaking artists into the game like Lieutenant G, The Stressfree Family, Greg Goose, Trillville, Crime Mob and Yo Gotti make Hitzmen DJs the pillar for underground discovery. That’s why Lil’ Larry has his hot new Trap House TV on Fox 13 at Tuesday 1am. For artists who haven’t made it to 106 and Park, Trap House TV is an avenue for upcoming artists to make an appearance on this hot spot.
“We are about 80 percent responsible for breaking local artist and independent groups,” he said. We make them known and now people can say, all, I know who they are!”
Besides holding TV slots, Lil’ Larry’s Trap House mixtape collection includes “On the Grind” with I-20 and Rick Ross and soon 3rd Bread Hustlaz.
The purpose of their DJ crew he said is to break records and do big things in the city. “We are each others backbone, we come through for each other.” Other members include K-Smooth, DJ Dre, DJ Houston, DJ Breezy, Rob Storm, DJ Realistic, Big Tiny and DJ Lil’ Tim.
Keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming projects from the Hitzmen DJs. Catch Lil’ Larry on Hot 107 from Monday through Friday, 7pm to 12am.
Catch phrase: “We put them down with the pimping”
5. Freddy Hydro (Power 99) Well-known as the North Memphis Gorilla Pimp, DJ Freddy Hydro is always in your extended network reppin’ the nationally known Core DJs of the United States by founder Tony Neal based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s also a member of Greg Street’s Hittmen DJs based out of Atlanta, GA and has been a member for four years. With his tangled web of extensive networking, Hydro is the founder of his own DJ crew known as Ripp Squad DJs. Ripp Squad DJs has been established for three years with a team of nine major players. These players consist of DJ Lil’ One, Phat Man, DJ Snoop, Mighty Joe, DJ Pat, Freddy, KJ, April B and Chopper of the Ripp Squad DJs. He has won the Southeast DJ of the Year Award and has done several mixtapes such as “Slangin’ and Bangin’ Vol. 1 &2” and “Crunk in Da Hood” with many more to come. Breaking major artists into the game like T Pain, Rick Ross, Lil’ Scrappy and Young Jeezy, Hydro does it like no other. Utilizing resources for personal and financial gain, he said that you have to possess the drive to make money and love what you do. Hydro, also, gives back to his community by being the first ever to kick off Toys in the Hood during Christmas for the needy children.
Catch phrase: “Money on my mind, I’m going to let it dew what it dew. We break records we make decisions”
6. DJ Houston (WHRK-K97) With the “Hundred Miles and Gunning” mixtape featuring E. Feezy under wraps among his other mixtapes, DJ Houston has been at K97 for four years. He won the 2005 Southern Entertainment Award of the Year and is now working on a DJ crew of his on. DJ Houston learned the craft at an early age by watching his father who was also a DJ. DJ Houston said that in order to be in his crew you have to be hungry, professional and able to deal with hatahs. Catch him at the Plush Club on Sunday Nights and on air at K 97. He’s won an award and many to come; he’s just that damn good.
Catch phrase: “Trying to make it happen out here”
7. Mic Tee (WHRK-K97) Breaking the hottest artists into the game from the Sony/BMG roster, Murphy Lee of the St. Lunatics, and Ray Cash, Mic Tee has been apart of the nationally known Core DJs and a member of J. Classic’s Hustle Squad DJs for quite some time. Just to name a few, Core DJs consist of Boogaloo, Devin Steel, Nappy Wilson, Scrap Dirty, E. Feezy, Freddy Hydro and the list goes on. He has two mixtapes? Mike Tee’s Mixtape the Franchise Vol. 1 and Mic Tee’s Mixtape the Franchise Vol. 2 hosted by Ray Cash. He enjoys the benefits for being in the mix of Hustle Squad DJs and Core DJs where he networks on a national scale. He enjoys spinning records at clubs like the Plush Club and the Premier Night Club. Don’t sleep on him… Catch him on K97, Fridays 10pm to 1am and Saturdays 7pm to 1am.
Catch phrase: “Working for the number one station in Tennessee!”
8. E. Feezy (Power 99) Mr. BDS has been in radio for 10 years breaking artists into the airwaves like Ciara, Young Jeezy, and other SoSo Def Artists. Feezy has been known as the trendsetter. He has several Sirius Satellite mixtapes and known for his “Hundred Miles and Gunning” mixtape feat. DJ Houston. Feezy is a member of Hittmenn DJs that consist of 50 plus in the Deep South and created by Greg Street. Feezy is a member of the record label INE/TVT/Blockburners and is the official DJ for Yo Gotti. Feezy said that his organization is more of a family than a crew.
“A lot of artists, we make them hot. If you want to be down with us you got to be the hottest in your market,” he said.
Feezy’s the syndicated radio personality for Power 99, on Saturdays 92.3 in Macon, GA, DJ for worldspace.com for Africa and the Middle East, and Sirius Satellite Radio’s Old School Mix: Back Spin and Hip Hop Nation: E. Feezy’s Wake Ya Ass Up Morning Show. Feezy formerly worked at Def Jam and BET. You can catch him Monday through Friday on Power 99’s The 10 Spot at 10pm to 2am with Memphis Live at 11:00 pm in the mix.
Catch phrase: ‘Respect my Fresh, I’m not a local nigga I’m a national nigga-syndication is a mutha.’
9. DJ 007 (WHRK-K97) Reppin’ Violator All-Star DJs, Ripp Squad, and new Hustle Squad DJs ? All the way from Houston, TX to Memphis, TN, DJ 007 has been involved in commercial radio since 1992 and has been affiliated with DJ organizations for more than two years. 007 have a mixtape show on Sirius Satellite and have sold over 40,000 mixtapes since moving to Memphis. He’s been known to be the first DJ to bring chopped and screwed music to K97 airwaves. You can find him doing Memphis parties and mixtapes, straight hustling.
He’s been known for breaking artists into the circuit game like UGK, Yo Gotti, Gucci Maine, Do or Die, Mystikal, Eight Ball & MJG, 3-6 Mafia, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug and the list goes on. Soon he will bring two new artists to the forefront- Young Flow and Dirty Mike. Don’t underestimate him!
Catch phrase: ‘I’m a busy dude and I like to stay busy’
*photo by AdamR/freedigitalphotos.net*
