DJ Blazita Interview With Blakmarket.net

BLAKMARKET.NET: Welcome to Blakmarket.net Blazita, tell the people where you rep and how long you been in DJing? You can start by telling us about some of your awards and accolades…

DJ BLAZITA: I’ve been living in Brooklyn the past few years and before that I
lived in PA, Cleveland, and WV. I rep NY the hardest because that’s where I’m at now and this is where I got my hold on DJing. I’ve been DJing for about 6 years now, but have only been doing mixtapes for 2 years. I haven’t officially won anything yet, but there’s still
time!

BLAKMARKET.NET: I read that you use to host freestyle battles. How did that come about and how did you get involved with mixtapes?

DJ BLAZITA: Yeah, I used to be a radio personality at Penn State with the “No Doubt Show” and we had MCs come to the station and battle it out on the air. There was this reigning champ from Philly named Venom…dude could spit for like an hour and it would be so entertaining! It was a
lot of fun.

DJ BLAZITA: I didn’t start doing mixtapes until I came to NY and realized that I had to make a name for myself in order to get where I want to be which is doing more parties and getting on radio. I use mixtapes as promo and I have fun recording mixes. I also try to support new artists when I
can.

BLAKMARKET.NET: I also read that you battled in a few competitions. Now,  do you still take part in those sort of events?

DJ BLAZITA: LOL yeah I participated in the first NYC female DJ battle competition in 2005. It was a good experience, but it made me realize that I enjoy DJing for people at parties and not really battling. It’s a good exercise for getting your skills up though!

BLAKMARKET.NET: Are you also up in the clubs or on the radio?

DJ BLAZITA: I do everything. I DJ random parties and I’ve been on Sirius Radio Hip Hop Nation a few times with the Bash Brothers. I’m still looking for a station to do this talk/ mix show idea that I have…we’ll see what happens.

BLAKMARKET.NET: Who are some of the people you opened up for?

DJ BLAZITA: I started this DJ battle at Penn State and we brought out HOT 97 DJs each year so I opened for Enuff, Kast One, Mister Cee and Cipha Sounds when they came through. I also DJ with Mickboogie sometimes…he put me on in Cleveland when I was first starting out.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  How do you prepare for shows?

DJ BLAZITA: It used to be organizing my crates and now it’s organizing my hard drive and downloading new music.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  How often do you brush up on your skills and keep up with the new?

DJ BLAZITA: Practicing and keeping up with what’s new is a constant thing for me.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  How quickly do things change in your profession?

DJ BLAZITA: Things change pretty quick. I think most people could say they didn’t
even know me last year. Now I have a Justo nomination this year and I’m on the takeover! What doesn’t change is the fact that you need to have skills to gain respect.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  You’ve been nominated for Best Female Mixtape DJ at the 2008 Justo’s Mixtape Awards. Now, how does that sort of recognition
feel and is that your first nomination?

DJ BLAZITA: Yes, it’s my first nomination. It’s great to have made such a big
impact so quickly and get recognized by the industry for the work I put in this year.

BLAKMARKET.NET: Speaking of mixtapes, can you tell us about the first mixtape you ever released?

DJ BLAZITA: HAHA the first official mixtape I released was when I participated in the 2005 She’s My DJ battle competition. It was called X Rated. I gave it away to the people who attended the event so they could hear how I DJ outside of the battle.

BLAKMARKET.NET: What can the fans expect to hear from you on a mixtape? Are you putting out blends, straight exclusives or displaying your
skills?

DJ BLAZITA: People can expect to hear all the hottest music! I don’t limit myself to a specific genre because I love so many different types of music. I blend, drop new music, do classic tapes, party tapes, r&b, everything.

BLAKMARKET.NET: What’s your creative process like when putting together a CD?

DJ BLAZITA: It’s usually about what is inspiring me…what I like spinning. If I hear some new music that I think would be good to get on a cd, I come up with a concept to market
it and go from there.

BLAKMARKET.NET: Can you tell us the type of equipment and/or programs you use?

DJ BLAZITA: I use technics turntables and Serato to DJ. When I record I use
audition.

BLAKMARKET.NET: What tapes have been the most memorable thus far?

DJ BLAZITA: I haven’t been dropping tapes for that long so they’re all still fresh in my memory lol. But one of my favorite tapes I’ve done so far is Before the Lox with DJ Kasper where we put out songs from Jada and Sheek when they were called the Bomb Squad in the early 90s. My other
favorite cd is Sex & the City part 1 with the real classic intro.

BLAKMARKET.NET: Who are your influences? And who continues to inspire you? Why?

DJ BLAZITA: Kid Capri continues to be an inspiration to me…he’s the greatest DJ in our history. No one can control a crowd like he does. It’s amazing to see a DJ who has it all… skills, mic presence, energy, selection, everything. As far as radio presence, Miss Jones of HOT 97 is my favorite personality…I relate to her on many levels like not being afraid to tell it how it is and create a little controversy for fun here and there.

BLAKMARKET.NET: Who are some of the artist(s)/DJ(s) you’ve worked with? Are there any artist(s)/DJ(s) you’re looking forward to working with?

DJ BLAZITA: I’m really looking forward to working with these producers called Vynl Destination that I’ve known for a while. SO MUCH HEAT!

BLAKMARKET.NET: Where do you see mixtapes going right now?  And do you feel like women get the respect they deserve in this industry?

DJ BLAZITA: Mixtapes are going to continue to be here for as long as hip hop is. Hopefully we can get back to dj’s making MIXES to display their skills and also it’s all about marketing at this point because the game is so watered down.

DJ BLAZITA: Women like me who stay on the grind and don’t take any BS ultimately will get respect!

BLAKMARKET.NET:  Being a woman, how do you deal and feel about men and/or women that underestimated you?

DJ BLAZITA: I love how people underestimate me…some of those who underestimated me in the past are giving me props now. I like surrounding myself with people who keep it real though and keep pushing me. They might say I’m not capable of something but that makes me work to get it. I’ve been through a lot and I don’t stop until I get what I want.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  Please tell us who are the Hip Hop Sisters and how you got involved with that movement?

DJ BLAZITA: The Hip Hop sisters is a group that MC Lyte put together for females in the industry who want to share in the movement and push forward with creating positivity in hip hop. I don’t remember how I got involved exactly, but I’ve been there since it started last year with just a few of us. Now there are hundreds of members across the country and we’re launching a web site soon. I’m also going to be the DJ for the official Hip Hop Sisters mixtape.

BLAKMARKET.NET: What can your fans expect from you in the immediate and distant future?

DJ BLAZITA: Expect more heat in my New York mixtape series…next one hosted by Remy Ma. I’m also working on a few exciting collabos with other DJs and artists. And I’m getting ready to launch a site for women in entertainment who are
interested in networking -  www.imlikeastar.com .

BLAKMARKET.NET:  Do you have any words for up and coming DJ(s) trying to get in the industry?

DJ BLAZITA: Be consistent. Make sure your skills are tight.

BLAKMARKET.NET:  Finally why  are you  THE HOTTEST CHIC IN THE GAME? And do you have any last words and/or shout outs?

DJ BLAZITA: I was given that title 5 yrs ago by my ex lol. He put me on to djing but I carried it with me as a goal. Now that I really am THE HOTTEST CHIC IN THE GAME I’m working on a revision to my AKA. I just wanna say what’s up to DJs UMC & Killa Kaos who have been there since day 1. And shout out to Gutta Muzic and Heavy Movement who keep holding my tapes down in the streets.