Underground Connection - Words by Dru Mighty
DJ Red: Hip Hop Entrepreneur Killen' Mixtapes!

Welcome to the Underground Connection - your source to the elite of underground hip hop in our local area.  Stay tuned to my column for regular news, album reviews, interviews, and more. 
For the first article, I have an interview for you with DJ Red, the tri-city king of mix tapes.  He is possibly one of the hardest working artists in our area, considering he spins at clubs 6 nights a week, runs a studio, releases mixtapes every other month, and is starting a record label.  There's always new things on the horizon for this man, so lets find out what's been going on with him lately.

Dru Mighty:  I'm sitting here with DJ Red, and there's so much to say when it comes to motivation and drive.  Why don't you tell us what you have going on right now.

DJ Red:  I'm spinning 6 nights a week at Sub Zero in Flint, Watering Trough and RJ's in Saginaw.  I am currently negotiating with Club 93.7 as a mix show DJ and as a mixtape sponsor and representative.  I have released two mixtapes, Mission 1 "Saginaw City" July 25th, 2003 and Mission II "Takin Over Da Tri-cities" January 4th, 2004. I am currently in the works of my next mixtape with statewide distribution and promotion.  I am co-running, promoting, and marketing Lace Productions of Bay City with owners Eric and Trish Felder, working on building my label Redburned Records recording JaDy's  solo Hip Hop project, a local Hip Hop artist, Laura G solo R & B project, local singer and songwriter, and am currently producing state wide mix tapes every 60 days entitled DJ Red "Red Carpet".  I am currently promoting my night club venues, mixtapes, and studio opportunities of Lace Productions.

Dru:  Wow.  You're really getting out there, and spotlighting a lot of underground while you're at it.  What is your best word of advice to those up-and-comers out there?

Red:  Be real with your music first off, bring yourself out in your music, and have patienceŠ  Take time to write your lyrics, don't just be satisfied with a finished project, dig back into it and bring out the best in each of your verses, choruses, because there's always more to add.  Make sure you can market your projects, and promote it in everyway possible. Get out of town and make moves.

Dru:  Right.  So you can always improve the game level you're at.  Definitely some good advice, and unfortunately that promotion aspect is highly underrated to some of the artists around here it seems.  I as well have been in the game for quite a few years and know that business is so much a part of this game, but so is artistic skill.  So many people know that the underground rap is plagued with so many groups that think they are ready, and in reality are not.  How do you feel your mixtapes affect this large and growing scene?

Red:  I think it gives competition and something to work toward on a local and state level.  There really has never been competition in the tri-cities for hip hop.  Now we have many up coming artists making an effort toward building projects.  I think my mixtapes will provide these hardworking artists a chance to show their efforts on CD with a state wide distribution and hopefully nationally soon. 

Dru:  Who have you been working with locally on your mixtapes? Red:  From the tri city area, I've been working with solo Artists such as Astray, JaDy, Skeem, Calibur, Waun, La La, Dose, Versa Stylez, Caine, Tornatik, Infamouz, Killa, Teddy, Young B, Dezzy, Deontae, Soulja-B, and Isaiah.  Groups such as First Degree, Holli Boyz, and Major Militia have also all shown their talent as well on the mixtape. Dru:  What are the plans for the next Red Carpet? Red:  This next mixtape will be a state wide project, titled Mission 3 "Grippin Tha Mitten."  I'm looking to release this in mid March with some of the artists

I mentioned earlier, and also additional artists such as Obie Trice, Paradime (Kid Rocks Dj), D12, Dayton Family, Royce Da 5'9, Dina Rae, Slum Village, as well as a few other prospects. 

Dru:  Sounds like a great project, can't wait to hear it.  How might artists get a slot on one of your mixtapes?

Red:  It is more than just making music to earn a spot on these mixtapes.  Artists have to create heavy hitting material.  I plan to make radio waves shake with this next mixtape.  There are many tracks that have a mainstream vibe and will satisfy many listeners.  If you think you have what it takes then hit me up at one of the venues I DJ at or by phone at (989)798-1212.

Dru:  Since you are a major club DJ and pursuing a radio career as well, tell me who you are really feeling out there right now?

Red:  Nationally I am really into Kanye West, Chingy, Ludacris, Jay Z, Outkast, R Kelly and some female artists like Missy, Lil Kim, Christine, Trina.  I am really into all these R&B /Rap collaborations.  They are taking over the air waves.  They all seem to have great hooks in their music and well put verses that make people relate to their music.

Dru:  How did you get started in this business and get to where you are today?

Red:  I started mixing my cassette tapes together at the age of 15.  I listened to hip hop all through my teenage years.  I took all of my money from graduation and thought I should put it toward something I could use to make more money, which was a DJ system.  I started off spinning at big parties, indoor and outdoor.  Soon I gained ambition to move into the bar/club scene and shortly discovered the start of my career spinning at Bubba's Roadside Inn (now known as RJ's) in Saginaw. 
Soon after I started a teen club with Rob Askew of 1st Degree called Club International Metro.  It was a great summer success and I started making a name for myself.  At that point the summer was over and I was alone in the business again.  I sat back and wondered how I could start my own record label and do my own thing.
I began working with Jady and started recording and building him as an artist, marketing music, promoting shows, promoting artists/groups and networking with record labels.  One in which was Nic Spaulding of Self Made Recordings, who helped me into the scene as a mixtape DJ.
 I soon connected with Laura G, a 13 year old R & B artist, and between me her parents (The Felder Family), we put a studio under our feet and since I have been producing music everyday at Lace Productions.  We take in just about any style singer, record vocals, produce, format, and master beats.

Dru:  Any last shouts you wanna throw in?

Red:  I would like to thank my life time mentors, my mom and dad who are my number one influences, my brother Bubba for predicting all this, The Felder Family for helping all this happen, my uncle Tim Mazariaz, Danford Brady, Scott McAlindon, Kevin Loga, Sue Whyte, & the entire Au Gres-Sims High School Staff 1994-98. Shouts out to my beautiful daughters Clarissa Rae and Cailee Renee Redburn...  For industry is waiting for you two(laughs) Š

Dru:  Thank you Red for taking the time out of your busy schedule for this interview, I hope more of the artists in our area follow your hustle of promotion and quest for perfection.  It is indeed inspiring to see.

Red:  Thanks for the opportunity.

Well there you have it.  Make sure you get out and check Red out in the Club.  He is at RJ's in Saginaw on Wednesdays and Thursdays,  Sub Zero in Flint on Fridays and Saturdays, and The Watering Trough on Sundays and Mondays. 
Don't forget to pick up the latest mixtape "Takin Over Da Tri-Cities", it's hot!  Available at Turntable II, Ray's Records, Watering Trough, and almost any party store in Saginaw.  Urban Streetware in Bay City, and Kreg'z Active Wear in Midland. 
Until next time, this is Dru Mighty signing out.