1) ODI how has underground evolved?
Watching the scene/community go from raves and clubs to Festivals and worldwide influence has been a trip. When I got into it, early 90s, the cultural foundations were already here, set in place by Disco, early house and hippies. Safe spaces, nightclubs and elder counterculture individuals allowed us to seek safety in spaces that were designed to be homes for Queerfolk, People of Color, and marginalized lifestyles. Where we are now is in many ways a far cry from the foundations that we (ever so naively) thought were going to change the world. Evolution, as an idea is meant to create something better than the original, I don’t exactly believe what we have now Is better, but it is an offshoot."Dance music as an underground culture used to be a safe haven for those who didn't fit into the mainstream to have a refuge for our weirdness. Now, most of it is populated by the kids we once sought to escape from."
Reid Speed is quoted as saying that
That singular statement encompasses what the evolution of the underground has wrought.
2) How has mainstream underground helped & hurt the underground music scene?
Art of Mathew Helm
Capitalism, and the loss of connection between the OG rave generations and the new school of festival kid. During that time when raves changed the old school ravers who were schooled by the old school of club people before them, did not have the opportunity to ensure that the each one teach one mentality, the takes a village concept, was not passed down as anything more than a throwaway buzzword to be remembered only when it was convenient. I can be transparent is saying I respect the PLUR concept but I was never a follower of it the way some other party kids were. Conceptually it is a great and worthy concept just never exactly fit right when I would see the same kids saying PLUR on the weekends in a warehouse someplace, hustling fake drugs and acting like fake thugs during the week. It is important, but for me, it is a reminder of a high point when we saw a perfect world and hoped we could live there for ever. 5) How has recent outspoken racism within the music community effected you as an artist?
9)Who would you like to spin with on the decks in the future that you haven’t? I would love the chance to see Dj Trace again, one of my first influences and a trend setting dj. A.M.C. MONSTER MIXING! Joe Clausell - nobody vibes like this dude. I have been really lucky that I have been able to share the stage with many of my heroes. SO now its more about being a pure fan and buzzing off the vibe! 10)If you could get rid of anything in the music industry what would you get rid of?
Big up https://www.facebook.com/exultrecords?mibextid=LQQJ4d for the support and belief in my creative abilities!!!!!! 14)Will you be creating more scratch content in 2023?
Other than the obvious financial differences that mainstream has created allowing artists to exist as artists in ways that they could not before. The Successes have also allows for an access and disposability that overall has hurt the longevity of any given artist, new genre, or event.
That has made it very difficult to have anything get past a adolescence stage where the disposability takes away opportunities for artists who have been in it for really amazing honest important reasons because they get lumped into a box with people in it for a quick fun ride or financial gain. Eventually a backlash happens to those short timers, and the lifers (that happen to be in the same box) are tossed out, Demoralized and give up on what could have been something so much greater.
3) What is EDM to you?
The heart of the culture that has been around as long as I have been able to pick music I liked myself. A global influence on all areas of media, and for me it is a reminder that music saved my life.
4) What happened to PLUR?
Capitalism, and the loss of connection between the OG rave generations and the new school of festival kid. During that time when raves changed the old school ravers who were schooled by the old school of club people before them, did not have the opportunity to ensure that the each one teach one mentality, the takes a village concept, was not passed down as anything more than a throwaway buzzword to be remembered only when it was convenient. I can be transparent is saying I respect the PLUR concept but I was never a follower of it the way some other party kids were. Conceptually it is a great and worthy concept just never exactly fit right when I would see the same kids saying PLUR on the weekends in a warehouse someplace, hustling fake drugs and acting like fake thugs during the week. It is important, but for me, it is a reminder of a high point when we saw a perfect world and hoped we could live there for ever. 5) How has recent outspoken racism within the music community effected you as an artist?
At the beginning of things I didn’t feel any of it TBH it is a weird situation. My age in the scene allowed me to be there when things were more multicultural. As the money got bigger, the narrative has been changed from dance music being a place for all people, to a place for the influencers and financially well off. Has it effected me directly… not in a way that opportunities were taken from me or anything. I do however take the opportunity to remind folks of the history of places like the Garage, Warehouse, The Shelter, and Cultural moments like Northern Soul, The wind rush generation in the UK and more stories where people of color, and LGBTQ+ folk set the foundation for the culture that birthed raving.
6) As Puerto Rican male producer have you faced adversity or limitations in the music industry?
In no way has my being Puerto Rican limited me in the industry. Being from NYC, and being Puerto Rican in a time when Freestyle, House, Hip Hop, and so many more sounds were evolving, Many of those pioneers are Puerto Rican. SO I was able to follow in the steps of Little Louie Vega, Charlie Rock, Master OC, The Latin Rascals, Kenny Dope, and that’s just a short list off the top of my head. What created more of a limitation was coming from a working class neighborhood and not having the financial abilities to get the gear or go to the shows I wanted to. We found ways around that though, jobs in record stores, combining gear with your friends to form a Crew, studio assistant jobs all opened doors for us.
7). What tracks would you recommend young green producers review to gain musical conciseness?
This is a really difficult question. The tracks that I always go to for reminders of how amazing things can be, those high water moments, rotate but right now….
The Phantom by Renegade Soundwave
The Beginning by Rhythm is Rhythm
A day in the Life by Black Riot
Melting pot by Booker T and the M.G.s
Amen Brother by The Winstons
Movin’ by Marathon
8)Producers to watch in 2023?
Eskr, Gigan, Winslow (who has already been getting well deserved shine), Skellytn, Bastion, and so many more!
The Phantom by Renegade Soundwave
9)Who would you like to spin with on the decks in the future that you haven’t? I would love the chance to see Dj Trace again, one of my first influences and a trend setting dj. A.M.C. MONSTER MIXING! Joe Clausell - nobody vibes like this dude. I have been really lucky that I have been able to share the stage with many of my heroes. SO now its more about being a pure fan and buzzing off the vibe! 10)If you could get rid of anything in the music industry what would you get rid of?
Corporate venues, Multi Media companies, basically Live Nation……
11) Best advice for young hungry producers trying to book quality gigs?
Perseverance, Find the scene, be a part of it, don’t just show up, play and bounce. Consistency of releases, be willing to hear criticism and share your knowledge with those who look to you as an influence. Your abilities, networking and passion will open doors you may never think they would.
12) Best female producers in your opinion… ?
( I apologize for this one because I know it’s a tough one
)
)
Skellytn
Mizeyesis
NVRsoft
Fiyafly
Mandidexterous
Nia Archives
Harriet Jaxxon
It shouldn’t matter anymore if someone is She/Him, Them/they or whatever, Make dope beats and kill the floor no matter what!
13) Where can fans find you spinning in 2023?
I will be doing a monthly online show on my twitch www.twitch.tv/djodibk125 as well as on FM4 in Austria.
NEWMUSIC OUT NOW
“Ripples” is a fun dancefloor vibe with tjat windows down in the whip appeal! I hope you enjoy it!
Big up https://www.facebook.com/exultrecords?mibextid=LQQJ4d for the support and belief in my creative abilities!!!!!! 14)Will you be creating more scratch content in 2023?
I really hope to, I am inspired daily by the bad ass Dj’s that are posting amazing routines every day. If I can be half as good as people like Jaybee (USA), Dj Hype (the OG), Craze (untouchable), Machete (one of the west coasts leaders of the sound since day one) JFb (King of the Routines)
But its gonna be tough to get close to those guys levels. I think scratching for me is one of the tools that I use as part of the entire tool set. Fitting it, where it not just shows skills, but also adds to the vibe, is the main goal 
15). Dream venue to play at?
Public Records - Brooklyn NYC
Ministry of Sound - UK
Respect - L.A. - a club night but they never have had a bad room in my experience.
One that’s closed but was perfect - LOVE - NYC - one of the last Gary Stewart Systems if you know you know!
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