Published: Monday - January 22, 2007
Words by Willow
DJ Clue (Photo: Def Jam)
While mixtapes seem to have become the rage in popular culture, there were DJs like DJ Clue who put in the legwork to get them there. He's built the relationships with your favorite artists to bring you exclusive tracks never to be heard on radio. Bringing his audience those exclusives didn't go without hard work, remixing some of the hottest songs is one thing, but getting the public to trust his ear when introducing a new artist is another. "I worked hard to establish trust with my fans and because I am consistent they have stuck it out with me," explains Clue.
It's been over seven years since the first installment of his The Professional compilation series, which went platinum, and from the time he hit the scene, he's kept busy securing his presence in hip-hop. From label head, radio/TV personality gigs and a new album with some of today's hot artists and producers, the title The Professional is not only fitting for his albums, but also perfectly suited when describing how he gets down. Promoting his latest, The Professional Part III, DJ Clue spoke with Ballerstatus.com about his crusade to get DJs their just due and why keeping it consistent and new is the key to his success.
Ballerstatus.com: How have you been able to establish longevity?
DJ Clue: I simply work hard; I keep what I do original and fresh.
Ballerstatus.com: How does that feel that you've parlayed your notoriety in to radio and television situations, without losing your core fan base?
DJ Clue: The one thing I've always been about is being about the streets and I've kept it real from the start. My fans don't see me doing things that are out of my norm, whether it was TV or whatever I do I keep it one hundred percent.
Ballerstatus.com: You've helped lay the groundwork for the popularity of the mixtape DJ game, introduced mainstream artists like Fabolous and made good music, so what else do you have planned for yourself?
DJ Clue: I want to make sure the DJs get recognized the right way; I think in a lot of ways the DJs get over looked. We continue to break records and don't get any credit for them.
Ballerstatus.com: What was it like putting this new album together?
DJ Clue: All hell.
Ballerstatus.com: What was the problem?
DJ Clue: Trying to get a collaborative effort from a lot of different artists is tough.
Ballerstatus.com: Were there egos involved that made it difficult?
DJ Clue: Not with all the artists on the album, but some artists didn't want to be on songs with another artist. It was crazy.
Ballerstatus.com: Violence in our culture and the attack on the youth of the culture continues to rise. What do you think we can do to bring it down and get back to love of it all?
DJ Clue: I think everyone simply needs to get united and get money together and realize that the fighting and the shooting only brings about more problems, you know what I mean?
Ballerstatus.com: The current dominance of the South has brought some unity in New York; some of the up-and-coming artists are banning together and demanding nothing more than to get some balance, how do you feel about that?
DJ Clue: It's cool, only positive things can come from it.
Ballerstatus.com: Some of your peers have had to put their collaborative/compilations albums together on the independent label, Koch, but you have managed to maintain the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint. Do you feel you have more of an edge over them having a major distributor?
DJ Clue: I got to Roc-A-Fella, because Jay and Damon believed in me. I've always been there. It was just natural for me to be there. I have just been able to maintain a good relationship with Roc-A-Fella. The bottom line is labels have never really been fans of DJ type albums.
Ballerstatus.com: You are producing a lot more on this album is that something we will see more of from you?
DJ Clue: I've always been producing and as I continue to keep things fresh, who knows.
Ballerstatus.com: What track on the album would you say is the standout record?
DJ Clue: There are mad different kinds of tracks so I can't just pick one.
Ballerstatus.com: How many songs did you produce on the album?
DJ Clue: I produced six tracks on the album.
Ballerstatus.com: Who are the other producers you worked with?
DJ Clue: Scott Storch, Swizz Beats, Kanye West, Heat Makers, LT Hutton and Baby Paul.
Ballerstatus.com: One of the things to be lacking in hip-hop is innovation, what would you say is lacking?
DJ Clue: I agree, but if artists can come up with something that is hot and original they will make a lot of money and sell a lot of records.
Ballerstatus.com: Who should we be looking out for?
DJ Clue: My man Ransom is hot and got some things coming soon on Desert Storm.
Ballerstatus.com: What's next with Fabolous?
DJ Clue: He's working on his new album and it should be out in the first quarter of this year; he's got some hot joints on there.
Ballerstatus.com: Lastly, you are now on Power 105FM and you are competing with Funk Master Flex, how has it affected your relationship, if at all?
DJ Clue: We're still cool and he still plays my music.
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