Monday, May 28, 2012

D.I.V. talks about his experience with DJs, janky Promoters, and Grinding as a Rising Inide New York artist

Wildfire Promotions:  How you feeling right now D.I.V.?
D.I.V.:  For the most part just blessed.  I love the journey and process of making music.  I have good people around me, and although we are often struggling, I am just happy we are able to do what we do.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  In one sentence how would you describe yourself as an artist?
D.I.V.:  Visionary, RAW, Smooth and so New York!.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  You have a hot mixtape out right now presented by The Legendary Ron G., and a lot of banging Youtube videos, what have you been doing to get the word out about your music?
D.I.V.:  I have been using blasts, aligning myself with a great PR (Jay from Giant Blast) and just circulating my material amongst the people. We are gearing up to go to festivals and show this summer and really just develop a strong grassroots following 1 person at a time.
 
　
Wildfire Promotions:  In your opinion what do you think is the best way to get your music heard being that you are an independent recording artist?
D.I.V.:  I think being creative and original in every aspect is the key.  Once the music is done then there is the video, the promotion and presentation which all need to be as unique as the music and different from what other people are doing.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Let's talk about DJs for a sec. what DJs do you respect in the game right now?
D.I.V.:  DJ Green Lantern might be one of my favorites of all time, he makes classic tapes.  I also really appreciate and respect The Legendary Ron G. He is real down to earth and an obvious part of Hip Hop history.  I am blessed to be able to work with him.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  In your honest opinion, how do you feel about today's DJs? Do you feel that they are too afraid to break records, or what is your opinion on that?
D.I.V.:  I feel like the game is ill natured when it comes to showing love because it difficult as hell to get in it, and once you do you aren't trying to give away what you worked hard for free! Nothing in this world is free and music is no different. I respect it, and I know that with the right budget they basically gon' play whatever record you give em (payola). From a hip hop culture perspective I think it definitely tarnishes it, and prevent true growth, but on the flip side people have to provide and pay the bills.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  How do you feel about radio?
D.I.V.:  I just feel like its monotonous and controlled by corporate agendas. That’s why I appreciate satellite, internet and independent radio. They play REAL music, and not the same play list in constant rotation.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Getting back on the topic of mixtapes, are you featured on any other mixtapes or compilations right now?
D.I.V.:  Umm I have done a few here and there, but for the most part I have really been sticking to myself and my team. I have plans of doing some stuff, but on the recent side of things I've been doing me.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Where do you see the mixtape game headed in the next couple of years?
D.I.V.:   I mean I don't think its really gonna change.  I feel like mixtape are more for marketing than anything.  It generates buzz and puts you in a position to make sales if its done right. I just know now more than ever artists are almost releasing albums as mixtapes which cuts their profits tremendously, but its great as a listener.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Nowadays anybody that plays records calls his or herself a DJ now, even if they don't scratch or blend records... because of this where do you see the art of DJing headed in the next couple of years?
D.I.V.:  I mean I think its already at the level of a weakened craft. I would say that there are DJ’s and then turntables… word.  A turntables can do both, but a lot of DJ’s can't scratch. As an art form its fading away to be honest and its sad. Especially being from New York, that s**t is so important to me when dealing with a DJ.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  What can fans expect to see during a D.I.V. live show?
D.I.V.:  A lot of energy, a great selection of music and just pure talent. I am now trying to assemble a live band or at least pieces… I'm gonna tear s**t down, bottom line.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Do you have any shows or live performances lined up right now?
D.I.V.:  I'm looking at a few festivals as I mentioned.  I got a feature in a fashion show in July at the Delancy Lounge NYC with my homie Daniel Carten Smith and some G Fam BBQ events in the Bronx.  I am currently booking for the summer.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  What's your opinion on promoters?
D.I.V.:  It really depends, I just know that a lot of them only care about the money and they tend to violate sometimes.  Like overbooking artists and making false promises. It makes the artist look bad at the end of the day when that happens and that really bothers me. I don't really want to touch too much more on that.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  What has been one of your worst experiences in the industry so far, and how did you learn from it?
D.I.V.:  I did a feature at a major event with a well known promoter and he did some funny s**t. We were booked for a certain time, then he put us on stage early and dismissed the crowd for a smoke break.  Then 'cause we went on early all of our people didn’t arrive yet, so when they did they paid to get in, and didn't even get to see us.  We had about a quarter of our audience there when we went on. Honestly it was a f**kin disaster and they didn’t refund anyone’s money back.  To top it off that d**khead kept sayin’ my name wrong, but I was supposed to be a featured act.  Ultimately it looked bad on us, not him.
It taught me to think outside the box and refuse to comply with these guys like we did.  If I were to do it again I would not have gone on till my whole audience was there. Also better communication up front could have helped. It really also reinforced in my mind that people’s ego’s cloud their judgment.  This guys is well known, but there are others out there, and now we are rocking with them instead if not throwing our own venues.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Who are your top 5 emcees?
D.I.V.:  This is difficult… Definitely Nas, Pac, Biggie, Big Pun and Rakim.
 
 
Wildfire Promotions:  Is there anything else you would like to say about yourself or would want the readers to know?
D.I.V.:  Just to check out destinyinvision.com, get familiar with our long list of work and please leave feedback.
 
 
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