43 episodes

Join me, Adam Gow, as I interview guests who once were DJs, looking at how they got into it, how they grew, and how it plays a part in their lives now they're a bit older and might have other responsibilities...

A https://remote-ctrl.co.uk podcast

Once A DJ Remote CTRL

    • Music
    • 5.0 • 6 Ratings

Join me, Adam Gow, as I interview guests who once were DJs, looking at how they got into it, how they grew, and how it plays a part in their lives now they're a bit older and might have other responsibilities...

A https://remote-ctrl.co.uk podcast

    Baby J Pt 2 - FTP

    Baby J Pt 2 - FTP

    Baby People: https://www.babypeople.co.uk/
    Easy Peas Running Club: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Eazy-peas-e?utm_term=ngEw2mrJJ
    The System Don't Work (Record Label): https://www.instagram.com/thesystemdontwork/
    Baby J on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/babyjbiz/
    This week we bring you the second instalment of Baby J's story - this looks at the time post the Valerie remix, where hip hop started to be eclipsed by grime, sampling became harder to work with, and J realised the steadier possibilities outside music production.
    He explains the route into Baby People, an organisation which has been helping disadvantaged kids to learn essential skills for surviving and thriving in society, and we get into the main challenges kids face these days.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Reissued classics from Be With Records
    Get 10% off at bewithrecords.com using the code ONCEADJ

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Can't Knock The Hustle - Baby J's transatlantic grind pt 1

    Can't Knock The Hustle - Baby J's transatlantic grind pt 1

    Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/babyjbiz/
    Label IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesystemdontwork/
    Baby People: https://www.instagram.com/babypeopleuk/
    In this show we speak to UK Hip Hop legend Baby J about his early discovery of black music, his exposure to people's struggles and education in societal issues, and much more.
    We get into his unique approach to production, and how he managed to build a career firstly in the US, what made is sound stand out, and how he formed lifelong bonds with some of the artists he worked with.
    There's a lot to get into with J, so I hope you enjoy this, as there's a part 2 coming in a couple of weeks!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Reissued classics from Be With Records
    Get 10% off at bewithrecords.com using the code ONCEADJ

    • 1 hr 25 min
    The one with DJ Day

    The one with DJ Day

    DJ Day discusses his journey into music and DJing, influenced by his parents' love for music and his discovery of scratching through songs like Herbie Hancock's 'Rockit'. He shares his passion for blending different genres and creating a warm, melodic atmosphere in his mixes. DJ Day also emphasizes the importance of confidence and taking risks as a DJ, whether it's playing bold tracks or experimenting with unique transitions. He expresses his desire to explore the DJing community beyond just the scratch world and share his thoughts on the evolving landscape of DJing. Damien discusses his experience with scratch DJing and the lack of variety and musicality in the scene. He emphasizes the importance of complementing, not combatting, the music when scratching. He also talks about his albums 'Land of a Thousand Chances' and 'Life After You' and how they reflect personal experiences. Damien shares his frustration with a recent tour experience in Canada where he was not paid properly and had to leave early. He also discusses his involvement with The Do-Over party and his collaborations with Aloe Blacc. In this final part of the conversation, Damien discusses his experiences in the music industry, including his interactions with other DJs and his participation in the Playlist Retreat. He also reflects on the changing landscape of DJing and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Damien shares a story about a memorable incident at a club in Belgium and discusses his journey to sobriety. He concludes by expressing his gratitude for his current state of well-being and his excitement for the future.
    Takeaways
    DJ Day's love for music was influenced by his parents and discovering scratching through songs like Herbie Hancock's 'Rockit'.He enjoys blending different genres and creating a warm, melodic atmosphere in his mixes.Confidence is key in taking risks as a DJ, whether it's playing bold tracks or experimenting with unique transitions.DJ Day is interested in exploring the DJing community beyond just the scratch world and sharing his thoughts on the evolving landscape of DJing. Scratch DJing should focus on complementing the music and adding musicality, rather than just showcasing technical skills.Personal experiences and emotions can greatly influence the creation of albums and music.It is important to be cautious and ensure that all contractual obligations are met before embarking on a tour.The Do-Over party is a highly sought-after event for DJs, and being invited to perform is a significant achievement.Collaborating with artists like Aloe Blacc can lead to global success and recognition. The music industry is constantly evolving, and DJs must adapt to the changing landscape.The Playlist Retreat is an honor and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in the industry.Sobriety can lead to personal growth and a newfound appreciation for oneself.The future of DJing is uncertain, but embracing new technology and staying true to oneself can lead to success.It's important to be grateful for the present moment and to look forward to what the future holds.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Reissued classics from Be With Records
    Get 10% off at bewithrecords.com using the code ONCEADJ

    • 1 hr 16 min
    BONUS EP! Roundtable on AI in Hip Hop featuring Nick Eziefula aka Essa, DJ Superix, and Si Spex

    BONUS EP! Roundtable on AI in Hip Hop featuring Nick Eziefula aka Essa, DJ Superix, and Si Spex

    In association with Simkins LLC (https://www.simkins.com/)
    Powered by Remote CTRL (https://remote-ctrl.co.uk/)
    Featuring:
    Nick Eziefula aka Essa - Entertainment Laywer at Simkins LLC (professional instagram) and Rapper (artist instagram) (bandcamp)
    Si Gilbert aka Si Spex - Head of Content and Quality Control at Routenote Create and Producer/digger, one half of The Creators (YouTube )(instagram)(bandcamp)
    Rich Firth aka DJ Superix - Freelance Creative Director, AI enthusiast and DJ (instagram)(mixcloud)
    AI tools mentioned:
    https://suno.com/ - AI music generation tool
    https://www.udio.com/ AI music generation tool - upload extend existing audio files
    https://lalals.com/ - Compose songs, change voices, and create covers with cutting-edge AI
    DAW AI software:
    Synplant 2 - replicate synth sounds
    Smart limit senile - ai mastering limiter
    Captain melody - ai melody creation
    OVERVIEW
    This round table discussion explores the impact of AI on hip hop, with a focus on technology, creation, IP, and the ethical implications. The panel includes DJ Superix, an AI consultant, Nick Eziefula, an entertainment lawyer and UK Hip Hop MC, and Si Spex, a UK Hip Hop producer and head of content at Rootnote Create. The conversation covers various applications of AI in music, such as AI-generated lyrics, melodies, vocals, and mastering. The legal and moral issues surrounding AI in music creation are also discussed, including copyright infringement and false endorsement. The conversation explores the ownership and legal implications of AI-generated music. It discusses the ownership of outputs generated by AI platforms and the complex legal questions surrounding it. The conversation also touches on the use of replays and sampling in music production and the legal issues associated with them. The potential of AI in music creation and the challenges it faces in accurately analyzing and separating stems are also discussed. In this final part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges and complexities of clearing samples in traditional sampling and AI sampling. They touch on the Trouble Funk case and the difficulties of clearing samples when there are multiple owners involved. They also explore the issue of transparency and remuneration in the AI sampling world, as well as the potential for AI tools to innovate and create new genres...

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Cutmaster Swift - The B Boy Code

    Cutmaster Swift - The B Boy Code

    https://www.hiphopat50.co.uk/
    https://www.facebook.com/djcutmasterswift
    https://www.instagram.com/cutmasterswift/
    This week we sit with 1989 World DMC champion, life long turntablist and DMC ambassador Cutmaster Swift.
    The conversation covers the early exposure to music, DJing, and hip hop, the evolution of turntablism, and the development of the hip hop scene in London. It also delves into the funding and organization of hip hop events, the business side of the industry, and the growth of the scene in other areas like Leeds. Cutmaster Swift shares his journey as a DJ, from battling and competing to evolving the craft of turntablism. He discusses the competitive nature of DJing, the influence of American DJs, and the evolution of techniques and routines. He emphasizes the importance of individuality and creativity in DJ performances.
    Keywords
    hip hop, DJing, turntablism, music exposure, London scene, hip hop events, business side, Leeds scene, DJing, turntablism, competition, battling, routines, techniques, evolution, individuality, creativity
    Takeaways
    Early exposure to music and DJing in the context of family influence and childhood exploration.The evolution of turntablism and the impact of influential DJs and events on the hip hop scene.The development of the hip hop scene in London, including the funding and organization of events, the business side of the industry, and the growth of the scene in other areas like Leeds. The competitive nature of DJing and the influence of American DJs.The evolution of DJ techniques and routines, emphasizing individuality and creativity.The importance of confidence and comfort in one's own style and the ability to introduce new music to the audience.

    • 1 hr 54 min
    Rock Me Down To Rio - Tee Cardaci's Brazilian Love Affair

    Rock Me Down To Rio - Tee Cardaci's Brazilian Love Affair

    Tee Cardaci on Instagram
    Guinu and Tee on the Razor n Tape Podcast (2 hr mix)
    https://linktr.ee/teecardaci
    Summary
    Tee Cardaci shares his journey as a DJ, starting from his early love for music and his first gigs in Maryland. He then moves to San Francisco in the late 90s, where he becomes immersed in the vibrant music scene and forms connections with artists and DJs. Eventually, he decides to move to Brazil, initially for a wedding, but ends up staying for 15 years. Tee discusses the challenges of DJing in Brazil, including language barriers and the cliquey nature of the scene. He also talks about his experiences touring in Europe and the importance of DIY culture in his career. In this conversation, Tee Cardaci discusses his experience as a DIY touring DJ and curator of Brazilian music. He shares stories of his travels, the development of his curating career, and the impact of his compilation projects. Tee emphasizes the importance of organic discovery and the joy of bringing obscure Brazilian music to a wider audience. He also touches on the challenges of navigating the music industry and the cultural nuances of doing business in Brazil. Tee's passion for Brazilian music and his dedication to preserving and promoting its rich history shine through in this conversation.
    Takeaways
    Tee's love for music started at a young age and led him to become a DJHe moved to San Francisco in the late 90s and became part of the vibrant music sceneHe eventually moved to Brazil and faced challenges in the local DJ sceneHe embraced DIY culture and built connections that allowed him to tour in EuropeLanguage barriers and cliques were obstacles he had to overcome in his DJ career DIY touring requires careful planning and organization, even if it may seem informalCurating music is a natural extension of a passion for discovering and sharing new soundsCompilation projects can open doors and lead to further opportunities in the music industryPreserving and promoting obscure music can be a rewarding experience, even if financial compensation is limitedBrazilian music is beloved for its swing, variety, and cultural blending
    00:00 Introduction and Background
    01:38 Early Love for Music and First Gigs
    22:14 Moving to Brazil: A Spontaneous Decision
    29:22 Challenges and Triumphs of DJing in Brazil
    33:47 Touring Europe and Embracing DIY Culture
    35:17 The DIY Touring Experience
    36:01 The Evolution of a Curator
    37:41 Compilation Projects and Opportunities
    44:37 The Irresistible Appeal of Brazilian Music

    • 1 hr 11 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
6 Ratings

6 Ratings

Mattwezzlechop ,

Once a DJ…

Always a dj.

Adam manages to always bring together a mix of interesting guests from all spectrums of djing and production and extracts some great life lessons. A really great pod to jump in and out of…. Wish it was weekly!

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