NOTORIOUS - Movie Trailer

The Movie based on Biggie's life- check the trailer!!!

University Hustle Magazine Promo

There's Something About Mimi

There’s Something About MiMi

Words Paul Johnson Jr./ Protraits Chris Fox

As she gets dressed, or undressed rather, she’s pulling out all different kinds of ideas: “Yo P, maybe we can do this with that? Or that—with this? Or maybe you can put me on top of this, leaning over this way…” I then begin to question our own expertise. Our idea was to get her on a plain backdrop and offset it with the colors of her outfit, not to mention, her body period. Blah, blah, blah… the pre-game plans always tend to fade at the start of tip-off.

We normally stick to our agendas and go through with the game plans no matter whom the model is. Clearly, she doesn’t know us too well. We’re like, “MiMi, you’re gonna sit this way and do that!” She, however, had other thoughts. Clearly, we didn’t know her too well either.

Manuela Middleton, a Queensboro Community College graduate stands 5-foot 3, with STOOOOPIT measurements of 34C-28-40! She’s bangin’ like Lil’ Kim in 98. So for the remainder of the shoot, all we did was snap the photos. We let her make her own magic. Every so often I’d chime in with a pose or two and she’d look at me and say—“We did that already…” So now I guess I have to wait for her to say when it’s okay for me to punch out.

Can't Stop WON'T Stop!

Words Paul Johnson// Portraits MiniPeople

If you’re reading this and don’t realize who the Get Wet Team exactly is, you’ve been living under a rock your whole college career. Maybe you decided to make a vow that you would never attend a college party or concert in the whole tri-state. Or maybe you decided to boycott the hottest promotion team in New York and party with those other guys. Those other guys being teams who can’t bring you Trey Songz, T-Pain, Flo Rida and so on. Or maybe, you’re dead and aren’t reading this anyway.

For the rest of this story purchase issue two in our online book store!

I Love This Game

By Paul Johnson Jr.

So here it goes… Jay-Z is the Michael Jordan of hip-hop and Weezy is the Skip to my Lou of rap. Are you ready to cuss me out yet? Mike was drafted in ’84, Jay in ’96. Skip was a lonely twelve-year-old out of Queens with a basketball style that stood out from any and every other ball player across the world and Weezy always had the talent. Mike left the game and returned with an encore; Jay, ditto. Skip later became king of the And 1 mix tapes. Tell me one person who wasn’t trying to skip down the court with the basketball on a yo-yo. Weezy, same thing: King of the mix tapes. From Mike’s 69 points to Jay’s Black Album; And 1 Volume One to The Drought 3: same concept, same style.

Mike started killing right away, wasted no time. He won scoring titles, defensive first-team awards, took his team to the playoffs but didn’t win the chip until ’91 where he took out Isiah and Magic; Bird as well. For him to be number one, he had to beat these guys. As he was hitting his peak, the greats were leaving so he—till this day—feels sort of empty; gypped out of his crown. Almost as if he didn’t earn it. But as any great will, he feels like there could have been something he wishes he could’ve done different; could’ve done better. The fact remains; he is, was and always will be the best. He will always be The G.O.A.T. Air Jordan sits comfortably on six championship rings, five MVPs, ten first-team all NBA selections, six Finals MVPs, nine NBA all-defensive first-team awards, ten scoring titles, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer… must we go on?

Jay-Z, Sean Carter, ‘Hova, sits on your coffee table with his first album, a hip-hop classic: Reasonable Doubt. Everybody from Compton to Maine had “Feelin’ It” bumping through their speakers whether they were on their way to work or sparking up a blunt watching a Tyson fight. Biggie and Tupac was his Magic and Bird. As soon as Jay was coming up, the two top rappers left the game. As tragic as it was, Hov’ kept spitting. Roc-A-Fella Records trumped both Death Row and Bad Boy in almost every category attainable. In 1999, Jay launched Rocawear which today has annual sales of $1 billion dollars. Since Reasonable Doubt, he’s released eleven albums including joint efforts with the rest of the Roc-A-Fella family and the ageless (no pun intended) R. Kelly. He’s retired, came back and soared back to the top of the charts, sort of like somebody else did back in ’93. State Property, New Jersey (Brooklyn) Nets, Def Jam President; you name it. The Brooklyn native—not Mike, though one—has been kickin’ ass and taking names ever since.

You may read this and say, “How could Biggie not be the Mike Jordan of rap?” Simply put, he wasn’t around long enough. It wasn’t his fault but he just wasn’t. Would Pee Wee Kirkland have been better than Jordan if he never turned down that Chicago Bulls contract, gave up the fast life and went to the league? Or if Michael Ray Richardson never would’ve got hooked on “H”? Maybe, but we’ll never know.

And 1 released a mix tape with who some consider the greatest street ball legend ever, Rafer “Skip to My Lou” Alston. From I.S. 8 to Rucker Park, Skip’s been breaking ankles and stealing manhood’s of all challengers with enough balls to stand adjacent to Skip during a game. Slap him across the face why don’t ‘cha? Skip’s changed the game of basketball as we know it. We’ve all gone out to our nearest park trying to put the ball around an opponent’s head, through their legs, looking for a tricky behind-the-back pass to a streaking teammate. Looking for those “seven ooh’s” as Alimoe calls it. As he reigns supreme on the blacktop, he was never the man on the NBA’s hardwood. Being shipped from the NBA to overseas, back to the L and being traded from team to team, Skip was never the next best Point-God as SLAM projected him to be coming out of Fresno State. No ‘chips, no individual accolades, no all-NBA anything’s. But you simply can’t guard him. I guarantee nobody in the L can stay in front of him, sort of like no one in the rap game can stand up to Lil’ Wayne and his slick punch lines. They are just too creative.

There’s no doubt Lil’ Wayne has changed the rap game and raised the bar lyrically. His mix tapes and features have been out of this world; almost literally. Stepped in the game at a tender age, he signed with Cash Money Records. Not quite ready to lead the gang, Juve and BG held it down while Manny Fresh claimed the ‘boards. Now, Wayne has the whole damn world awaiting The Carter III. Can we say his other albums were hot? You damn right! They were 500 degrees hot. Shit, even the white world uses “bling-bling” in their so-called educated conversations Can we say they were hip-hop classics? Probably not. Weezy’s never put out a “Ready to Die,” or a “Blueprint” for that matter. Although he claims “The Greatest Rapper Alive,” he doesn’t have the paperwork to back up his stake.

We do have to give him love for his studio addiction though. I mean, this guy is doing reggae joints with Sizzla, R & B joints with Mario and hip-hop joints with Mary J Blige, [my nigga]! His swag has officially styled on y’all. While a white-tee trooper; the diamonds, unlimited, rare denim collection, dreads and white Styrofoam cup completes his ensemble and makes him untouchable when it comes to his fashion savvy. So the image is there, his rep’ is built but he has to hit hard and heavy with this Carter III album to officially step out of Jigga’s shadow as Skip has to win a ring in Houston, not in Harlem.

What’s good everyone!

NY has been going crazy (more than usual) over the last few weeks… among our normal grab-bag of headlines this one reins supreme:

By day, he ran NY as the Governor…. By night he made it rain in YOUR favorite city... Elliott Spitzer is: CLIENT-9!!!

So our NY Gov has resigned amidst his getting bagged in a prostitution ring…. Here’s some of the crazy things about that…

1) $80,000+ in prostitution fees – I’m sorry, but that’s a LOT to be makin it rain on some chicks, Elliott…. Even if you are a Millionaire! Lol. Some people theorize that he paid for the ambience of the situation... Ambience… with a prostitute…LMAO! He should’ve gone to a college party and holla’d @ some drunk and hot girls… he could’ve got it for CHEAP!

2) So now they refer to him as Client-9(tee shirts coming soon!!), I’m wondering if there are any more high profile dudes who were clients 1-8? Right now anyone who hired “escorts” from the Emperor Club must be SHOOK!!

3) So now Lt Gov Patterson (A Hofstra Law Grad) will be the new governor and will become NY’s first Black mayor and the first blind mayor in the history of the USA! It’s good to see amongst the scandal there is history of a different kind being made.

4) It’s crazy how the main crime that Spitzer has led an attack on his entire career, (Prostitution) led to his downfall. He got caught on Federal wire taps, and all that. You live by the sword….you Die by the Sword.

I think this is another example of how people in positions of power are just as human as you and I. They lie, cheat, and steal just like the rest of us common folk. Their true test of character is whether they could uphold the moral standards positions such as Governor, President, Judge, Cop, etc demand. A lot of them can, but there are good politicians, judges, etc out there... in my opinion they are just too few and far between… I’m just curious as to someone like Spitzer whose so smart… can be so STUPID!! Some theories include narcissism, thrill seeking, and a sense that he was above the law. When people attain positions of power, it can get to ones head. That’s why I’m not surprised, or really offended. I’ve stop expecting great moral character from elected officials. There’s only one person whose rekindled my faith, and Barack, I hope you don’t let us down.

PEACE

Streetz

Flippin' Fabulous Fashion

With spring finally knocking down winter's door, you'll need to have your fashions ready for sure -feminine pastels and flirty fabrics galore. This spring and summer season here are five fantabulous trends you'll truly adore.

5. Feminine and whimsy – Soft and silky fabrics in your right color will instantly add an effeminate appeal. Simple details and soft textures are what you'll need if you want to accomplish this trend.

4. Floral and Pastels – Not just for grandma anymore! It's your turn to mix and match floral and pastels this spring. Go ahead, try it.

3. Subtle and Sophisticated – Bid farewell to flashy and trashy. This spring, you are going to want to say hello to clean and minimal designs. Make over designed looks a thing of your past.

2. Tulip hems – They are cutesy and girly and a perfect addition to your spring wardrobe.

1. A corseted waist - Waistlines are all the rage this spring, so start your side bends and sit-ups.

Drink of the Month Presents: 151 Reasons to Love

Drink of the Month Presents: 151 Reasons to Love

Since this is the "month of love", ya'll know I got to pay tribute
to Valentines Day and all of it's victims of Cupids arrow. Using
the word "victims" makes it sound like I'm saying love is a bad
thing. But is it?

How many of ya'll can honestly say that you've been touched
by true love? (DISCLAIMER: Do not read that part out loud if
your loved one is right next to you. University Hustle is not held
liable for any beat downs caused by reading this magazine. Next
time read the fine print.) 

Cause lets face it. As good as love is, we've all done some real
dumb shit in the name of love; Pardon my French. (Sorry,
French People) Like traveling all the way to the boondocks to
see that person without a clue of where you're going (shout out to
RIVERHEAD!), OR blowing all your hard earned cash on that
special someone for their birthday and they end up breaking up
with you the day after. Or start some Facebook wall beef cause
you didn't like a comment that someone posted on your boo's wall.
A wise man once told me two things which I'll never forget. One:
never swallow water in the kiddy pool. And two: you know you're
truly in love if you can give 151 reasons.

Ok, I'm not going to front. I read it in a fortune cookie once. But
nevertheless, there is some truth to it. So this University Hustle writer
is going to be the first to put his head on the chopping block and tell
ya'll about my true love...in poem form (yea, I'm cultured). *Ahem
(clearing throat)...and I read:

Whenever you go down, you light my soul on fire

Our personal time together is called Happy Hour, and
some of that is what I desire.

You constantly stay wet, without my touch

Remember the first time we met at the bar? Damn, you
didn’t say much

You’re so small and petite; I could fit you in one hand

I don’t know if you white or black, but whatever you
are I love that golden brown tan.

To finish this poem, I need a word that rhymes with month

‘Cuz my true love isn't a person, it's "151 reasons" the
new drink of the month

If you would like to make your own "151 Reasons", here's
how you do it:

3/4 oz 151 proof rum

2   oz orange juice

2   oz 7-Up® soda

3/4 oz lemonade

This drink is like a retarded midget, small and strong (no offense
to all the strong midgets out there). So make sure before you
drink this drink, you: 

(A): know what you're doing and 

(2): sign the death waiver or else you'll have 151 problems, and a
drink ain’t one!!

These are the words of a certified alcoholic...

Carl Samuels

Kris Crossed

So Kristina hit me up over the phone and we kicked it for a minute because if you remember, she used to write for us; then she hit me with it, “yo P, when I’ma be in Attention Please?” I ain’t a hater so I was like, “whenever. Just let me know…” So she goes on to tell me how her booty is fourty-seven inches and things and I told her she was lying. She goes, “let’s make a bet!” So of course being the good sport that I am, I made the bet. We put a drink on it. I told her if she was wrong, she owes me a Long Island Iced Tea; and if I were wrong, vice versa. So here comes the photo shoot and she brings the tape measure. Stephanie, her close friend, tells me I’m a retard for betting but I really didn’t believe. Steph wraps the tape around her and well, let’s just say I still owe her a drink. I hate being wrong.

GANGFEST

I crossed in the spring semester of 2004 (Shout out to all my Sands…). Since then I haven’t missed Greek Fest, whether it was Jones Beach or Hempstead Turnpike. When I first went as a Neo, I ran into a few Sigma’s, a few AKA’s and there were like four Delta’s. Total, there were about twenty Greeks there. TWENTY! At a Greek Fest? Isn’t there something wrong with this picture? Well it did rain my first time there, so let’s blame 2004 on the weather. Sun was out and shining in 2005 but I don’t think there were more than thirty Greeks at that one. I believe 2006 is when they moved it outside of Jones Beach and brought it to the ‘hood. Wow. Does that even make sense? Well—let’s not prejudge I thought; so I went. A couple of my conversations went like this:

“Oh what’s up Frat? What chapter you from?”

“Frat? You mean that Alpha Beta Beta shit?”

“Oh you not a Nupe? My bad, the red tee threw me off…”

“Unless Nupe mean Blood in Swahili, this is BLOOD, NIGGA!”

I bounced. I figured I’m a loooooooong way from Brooklyn. He could possibly make it real hard for me to get back to the Belt. I let it ride. I headed toward the stage in 2007 where I did, however, see some familiar faces. I ran into Ralph, my neo and Rico, a Sigma from my yard. I looked over Rico’s shoulder and saw some more Blue. I know Blu-n-White roll kind of deep so I went on over. Saw Krystal and Julie—two Zetas from my yard—and figured it was all good. But since when did Sigma’s wear blue bead-like necklaces and bandanas around the neck? I mean, I had seen Karl with it a few times but the one he wears has Phi Beta Sigma written on it. That’s Para. This wasn’t Para. Those are flags.

I ain’t even gonna front, I saw Suede from afar and he threw up my Frat signal, the Yo. I just gave him a head nod like, “What’s good Frat?” Shit, I wasn’t throwing up my Yo for it to be mistaken as a Blood sign… shit, those two are too close. Walking over, I noticed my Frat was the only team of Steppers. It’s kind of weird because there were several Hip-Hop acts, C-Walkers, B-Hoppers, singers, guns, weed, alcohol… You name it, it was in the building. Well, not the Greeks of course. I don’t know about you but I want to see a change. Who is going to bring Greek back to Summer New York? Compared to Philly’s Greek Fest—which seems to be spiraling as well—we ain’t shit. Am I the only one mad?

-Paul Johnson Jr.

Another Black Man Shot Down: HE WAS AN OFFICER FOR HEAVEN's SAKE!

WAKE UP!

Black Officer Shot: I guess it doesn’t Matter Which Side of the Badge you’re on.

Here we go again. Attached is a letter I found written to our illustrious police department; “Attention: Black Policemen.”

To my niggas:

White cops always fuckin’ widdus around my way. Er’time I wanna chill in front the spot, cops be harassing us n’ shit. “You niggas can’t sit in front the store.” “Let me see yo’ hands.” “Did you hear those gunshots?” Man, I ain’t heard shit. Why they always fuckin widdus?

I think I know why, though. It’s ‘cuz we Black. White man never wanna see us do good. Even when we doin’ good, they look for reasons to shoot at us. My mans-n-them Sean, they shot him and he wasn’t even doin shit. Homie was bout to get married the next day n’ shit. Shot. Cold.

But yo, check this out; we gotta infiltrate this system. Yeah mufucka, infiltrate. I know what dat shit mean. Like on some, Mission Impossible shit. Hop out a plane, in a garbage-man suit, pose as a white man and be a cop. Little do they know, they lettin’ in a real nigga!

See, they won’t fuck wit a nigga if they know he a Cop too. That blue means more than us being black. Haha, not, the Crips mah nigga. Shit, they niggas too. The badge I’m talking about.

So yo, I ain’t gonna keep you. I just wanted to let y’all know that I know how to avoid the racism and shit. Cops don’t kill other cops.

Peace yo,

One Love

(PS- This is an old letter…)

On Friday, Christopher Ridley, an off-duty police officer was shot to death by other police officers. He was driving by and saw a fight in the middle of a Westchester block between homeless men.

He stepped in to break up the fight and was knocked to the ground. His gun was dislodged from the waistband in which the firearm was tucked. After breaking up the altercation, he was surrounded by policemen. Still dazed from the fight, he was ordered to put the weapon down. The homeless couple, interviewed by The New York Times says, “Ridley was still pretty dazed and confused so hearing the orders was unlikely.”

What happens next? BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM!!! Six cops emptied shots into one of our African-American Police Officers. Reverend Al Al Sharpton says the cops now call it “a friendly fire…” A friendly-fucking-fire?!?? Why does this NEVER happen to white officers? Shit, to white people period!

Why are there never any white Abner Louima cases? White Rodney King cases? White Sean Bell cases? Where are those cops that shot these people? That sodomized our African-American men? I guess the same thing that happened to those that organized the slave ships; Stole Native customs and traditions; Orchestrated the build of this country on our backs, literally… They give them holidays.

Wake up, people. Wake up.

www.UNVERSITYHUSTLEONLINE.com

www.UNIVERSITYHUSTLE.blogspot.com

Present Day Marvin Gaye: The Love is Real

Words- Kenji Summers

Not since D’Angelo’s Voodoo album has a soul artist had such anticipation for their debut follow up album. Raheem Devaughn has captivated audiences around the U.S. while maintaining his roots in the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) area. His live performances have made him a fixture amongst soul music enthusiasts of every generation. Ladies love him and fellas respect him for his authenticity and ability. Raheem has even been said to remind fans of an R&B martyr by the name of Marvin Gaye. With large shoes to fill, the self-proclaimed "R&B Hippie Neo-Soul Rock Star" has started a movement of musical art that is sure to be emulated in the future. Raheem agrees, “My music is very much R&B, but it’s also very much neo-soul, and also a splash of rock star, you know? It’s about just really tying it all together and bringing attention to the lane that I’ve created.” From the portraits that are painted by artist, Demont Peekaso (www.demontpeekaso.com) during live shows, to the fresh urban boutique gear, to the string of vastly popular mixtape albums that helped Raheem get signed to a major label, Mr. Devaughn is blazing a new trail in soul music. Now with the follow up album Love Behind the Melody, Raheem is set to enter the mainstream conscious of music fans in the manner that Marvin, Stevie, Maxwell, and D’Angelo did in the past. Raheem comments, “Everyday there's somebody new who finds out about the music via word of mouth, MySpace, Youtube, coming to a show, or whatever.” Let this article be your whatever, and before delving into the new album let us examine what makes Raheem Devaughn such as rare gem in such an oversaturated music industry.

Hometown Hero

Raheem is a native of Prince George’s County, Maryland as well as Washington DC; which he admits groomed and prepared him for the national spotlight. Raheem won multiple awards and shows in the DC metro area while releasing an array of independent music compilations. While the DMV may not be as notable as New York and Philadelphia in terms of industry recognition, plenty of artists are creating dynamic music and furthering the soul music genre. Raheem asserts, "I think DC is just on the rise as a whole, with me kind of being the spearhead of it with the success of my underground movement, and crossing over to a mainstream movement.” Raheem Devaughn hopes that the success of his second major label album will open up the flood gates for other talented artists that have paid their dues in the DC area. Raheem adds “You got artists like W. Ellington Felton, Bilal Salaam, One Way, Tabi Boney, King Pin Slim, Wale, just to name a few. And there are also some mainstream cats. For me personally, if you’re an artist coming out of DC, and you ain’t done the real DC grind through the street, you’re on thin ice, artistically.” Authenticity and passion drive the music of Raheem Devaughn and expect the next crop of successful artists out of DC to fit a similar mold.

Show Stopper

If you have never been to a Raheem Devaughn concert you are missing out on a high energy masterpiece of artistic expression. Each show is loaded with a mixture of Raheem's music catalog, an amazing band, legendary soul hits, live paintings, talented background singers, and a beautiful interactive crowd. Critics have stated that Raheem’s shows leave event goers in a ‘gimme more’ state of mind. The visual creator for Raheem Devaughn, Deemont Peekaso paints the vibes on stage to canvas, which are auctioned off following each performance. The background singers Steve Smith and Bilal Salaam, the latter who is in group, the Crossrhodes with Raheem Devaughn and DMV notable W. Ellington Felton bring contrasting singing styles that blend well with Raheem’s vocals. Raheem’s band, the Loveaholics, complement his style and add a musicality to each show and performance. In addition, Raheem interacts with his crowd and fellow performing artists on a higher level than current R&B and soul stars, he creates an experience that fans and peers alike will remember for a life time. Raheem points out, “I wanna give you your money’s worth...I genuinely enjoy performing and getting on stage…It’s the ultimate high for me…A lot of times a show is not the same, and a lot of things that go down at that moment are improvisational.” The passion Raheem brings as a performer is a breath of fresh air, and with every performance, it is hand crafted to ensure that each member of the crowd fully enjoys the time they sacrificed to take part in the Raheem Devaughn experience.

Love Behind the Melody

Love Behind the Melody features guests such as Floetry and Big Boi of Outkast, however like The Love Experience; Raheem is the star of his own album and commands the listener’s undivided attention from start to finish. Love Behind the Melody’s first single “Woman” is a tribute to all women, similar to “You” off of The Love Experience. The track has been heating up radio stations nationwide and getting tremendous attention in the DMV area. Noting the subject matter of “Woman” a perfect song for limited edition release would be a duet with Angie Stone, who penned the song “Brotha,” a tribute track for all the good men in the world (just a thought *wink).

Love Behind the Melody is 17 songs deep with an array of contemporary R&B hits, mellow down tempo neo-soul, and classic soul ballads. Stand out tracks are “Customer” a metaphorical song that has Raheem singing from the point of view of a love waiter. Think R.Kelly “Ignition” or Trey Songz “Grub On.” A crowd favorite of the ladies is “Marathon” a song where Raheem goes into depth about how when he gets a break from work he enjoys a length session of romance, the track may also be blamed for some unexpected child births in late 2008. But not all the tracks are geared strictly towards women, brothers can enjoy the perspective that Raheem employs on tracks such as “Cocaine Dreams," which has an old school Curtis Mayfield vibe to it. In addition the upbeat "Energy" will keep brothers moving and grooving with their ladies because of the song’s funky bass and catchy lyrics. Each track on the album has a unique value to it and will be enjoyed for its timeless feel. Raheem has crafted a remarkable second album which will be well received by his diehard fans as well as those who will give him a try after reading this article. So until the Love Behind the Melody can reach you, let the Love Experience keep you warm through these winter months.

Drink of the Month!

Drink of the Month: GANG RELATED

Who’s the best male black actor to hit the movie screens? I have five answers for you…DENZEL, DENZEL, DENZEL, DENZEL, and DENZEL!! His performance in the recently released box office hit “American Gangster” was BANGing (no pun intended). Even though it wasn’t his or the movie producers’ intention they made gang banging, making easy money, and the fast life look about exciting as a nudist pajama party at the playboy mansion. Ok, maybe I’m embellishing a little bit, but if you seen the movie you get my point. Unfortunately, not all of us are fit for the gang banging route. Sorry to burst bubbles. But if you still got a night light in your room, maybe the gangster life isn’t for you. If you’re upset on the bursar line cause your financial aid and TAP ain’t go through, maybe the gangster life isn’t for you. If the biggest problem in your neighborhood is litter, maybe the gangster life isn’t for you. If you call where you live at your neighborhood and not your hood, maybe just maybe….the gangster life isn’t for you. You see where I’m going with this? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocator for the gangster life, I’m just trying to put things in perspective. However, don’t despair ‘cause help is on the way. For those of you that want a TASTE of the gangster life here’s what you do: Get yourself a Gang Related, one of the newest drinks to hit the STREETS. Drink two of these and I promise you’ll wake up in a chalk outline the next morning with your picture on a milk carton. Now, I ain’t no snitch but here’s how you make one:

2 oz of Alize Red Passion

2 oz of Hpnotiq

2 oz of Hennessy

What you do is pour all 3 ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice. For the best taste, you add the Henny first, then you pour the Alize and Hpnotiq. Stir it up, and call the police. I highly recommend this drink. It will make you miss your stop on the train and wake up in a whole different borough.

These are the words of a certified alcoholic…

Yours truly,

Carl Samuels

DJ SPYNFO IS READY!

Words Tewauna Shante

A big conglomerate is what we can call him. Some DJ’s are just nice on the reggae tip. Some are nice on just a Hip-Hop tip. When you have a DJ that can play Fall Out Boy in a Hofstra USA party on a Friday night, you know you have something special on your hands. His love for music has always been evident but he surfaced as a more-than-serious college DJ about ’99, 2000. A millennium DJ; maybe, the DJ of the millennium. Wouldn’t go that far? Honestly it doesn’t matter what you think. After all, this isn’t a scene; this is an arms race. Rival DJ’s get your black suits up…

UH- We’re gonna start this off kinda like the movie; When did you fall in love with Hip Hop?

DJ Spynfo- I was surrounded by a lot of different genres of music. I was brought up here, my father is from Honduras, and my mother is from Jamaica. I started loving Hip-Hop in the mid nineties. I’m the youngest of nine siblings: four brothers, four sisters. They always had that Mary J playing, that Busta Rhymes playing, a little Biggie here and there or whatever. I used to sit and listen in the living room. Sisters used to play the SWV, stuff like that. That’s where I caught on.

UH- When did you start DJ’ing?

DJ- Basically my last year in high school I bought turn tables but never used them. I really began in about 2000 at St. Johns University. I was lucky enough to have a room right next to the elevator so when people moved in, they would see my equipment set up and see me spinning and wonder who I was. Various organizations heard about me and came to me and had me do their events. The Pan- African organization is the biggest organization over here at St. Johns asked me to cover a few of their events. They had me do their Open-Mic and things like that and I did well. I moved on to parties and fashion shows, and that’s where I basically got my start at St. Johns.

UH- So let me ask you this, when did it really start to escalate for you? When did people really begin to know who DJ Spynfo was?

DJ- I started to build a name for myself in 2001, but in 2002 I started DJ’ing at a place in Queens called Georgetown. I began DJ’ing there on Thursday nights. Every party I did there I thought it was gonna flop. Man, I didn’t have any thing UV coated. I was running around campus with yellow paper flyers, we had no official nothing. No budget for anything. Just the paper flyers. My quote was “Spynfo Done Did It Again!” That’s how I got people acclimated to my name. They would see the flyers on the floor and they’d read it like, “Oh, that’s a Spynfo flyer. Lemme check that out, see what that’s about.” Ladies were like seven dollars, guys were ten ‘til midnight. Spot held about 175 people. Shit, I was pulling about 400 people in there every Thursday. The owner then moved me to Friday where my crowd was consistent. People were coming out on rainy days, ten degrees outside. That’s when I started building my name. I mean, 2001 was cool but it didn’t really start to get crazy for me until like 2003. It really picked up because I was networking with a lot of club promoters and a lot of organizations outside of St. Johns. Man, you name it. Like I said, pageants, fashion shows, parties, even outdoor events: Alpha barbecues, Kappa events, things like that. I have to give it up to Empire though. Without those guys, I don’t know where Spynfo would be. Honestly.

UH- I want you to speak on two relationships: One, DJ Spider, two, Suede. How did that happen?

DJ- Spider is somebody I will always look up to. He’s been in the game for a minute. I wouldn’t say I model myself after him but I definitely learned a lot from him. He was always there to give me support and be like, “Spyn, you gotta think. You gotta pay attention because there are a lot of snakes in the business.” He was always there to give good advice like what I should and shouldn’t do. He’s definitely a great DJ. I had been rockin’ with him for a minute. That’s my brother right there. Basically my brother from another mother right there. He’s definitely talented and I definitely stole some things—

UH- Hey listen, a wise man once told me “Any good idea is worth stealing.”

DJ- Yeah, yeah. the guy definitely has talent. Has a lot of energy, keeps the crowd moving. And I mean, before I even met him I saw our styles were similar. He and I were similar on the Hip-Hop level. He was more advanced when it came to reggae, but as far as Hip-Hop, we both weren’t scared to dig way back in the crates. You know me man; I ain’t scared to play something from the eighties. I’ll play Michael Jackson quick! I’ll have everybody singing Rock With You like it’s a new song! And Spider is the same way. We clicked immediately.

We DJ’d for the first time together really in a lounge called Destiny Lounge. We’ve done it together before but that was the first time we really noticed we had chemistry together. He would be like “Damn you nice on the mic!” I would be like, “Damn, you nice on the boards!” After a year of that, we came up with the name College Club Kings. I actually came up with the name . That was the Facebook vs. MySpace era. That was in Amazura. Spider was always on my back about not being just a great DJ, but marketing yourself. Being a great DJ is always essential but there are a lot of bum DJ’s out there that don’t know how to market themselves. And there are bum DJ’s that can market the hell out of themselves. I mean I was already good. Not to be cocky or nothing but lets face it, that’s why you’re here interviewing me. You have to make people believe you are more than you actually are. I’ve got to be the best. I’m not trying to be the prince, I’m not trying to be the queen; I wanna be the King. That’s how Spider and I got started. Me and Suede? Well, you know Step Correct had been going on for a while, and in 2004, you know his DJ was I think DJ Psycho or something like that-

UH- He was a Sigma, I believe…

DJ- Yeah. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the way he DJ’d, I just felt like he could have used a little more energy. At Roseland, it was hot and I felt he wasn’t playing the right songs at the right times. And I didn’t know Suede from a hole in the wall. I basically stole his number! I called a producer that was on the flyer. This is hustle right here; this is grinding: I called up a number that I saw on the flyer and I was like, “yeah this is Spynfo,”—making believe I was somebody already—“I lost Suede’s cell number. Do you have it?” I got it and called Suede out the blue like I had been doing this for a while. I been holding down St. Johns and Hofstra for a minute, so forth and so on. I didn’t come off cocky or anything. I basically came off as a cool dude. He was like he was gonna give me a chance and we just spoke. I caught up again with him about a year later and he was like, “Yo, come to Maryland with me.” He was a stranger to me and I was a stranger to him, but I was just going out there for the exposure. We were in the car and I didn’t even know his real name, nor did he know mine. I was Spynfo to him and he was Suede to me. We didn’t know each others age or nothing. We ain’t know shit. He just knew I was a DJ. After the event in Maryland, he was like, “I ain’t even gonna front, that was like one of my top five! That was one of the top five DJ-Host performances.” And you know Suede. He ain’t gonna bullshit. So if he was saying that to me, I was like wow. He had no idea of my energy. We had no idea of our chemistry. He had no clue I was gonna be that involved with the crowd. I would stop him like, “Hold up! Let’s get the ladies involved!” Then it was, “Yo Suede, Yo Suede, where the fellas’ at?!?” People were really feeling my talking. At the end of the night, they were like, “yo who’s that?” And I can’t even front. That was one of the best shows I’ve ever done in my life. That was like 2004, 2005 maybe and after that he was like “aw man, you my DJ!” I waited like another six months to a year and he called me up to go to Alabama with him. He put me in a hotel and all. I killed out there and that is what put me on to Step Correct. He hit me up about a month or two before the show and I was like, “yeah, I’m down.” I think it was a good show, but I think I could’ve done better. I mean it was New Years day and let’s just say the night before I wasn’t in the house asleep. So for me to be up the next morning and standing, DJ’ing from 5 to 5 was kinda hard. I can’t even front. I was worn out, that was a struggle right there. So as of right now, Suede and I are working together on this college radio show Live From The Yard. Basically me, him and a producer Chris from Sirius Satellite Radio. I’m the official DJ for the show and we’re already at Albany, Syracuse, LIU Brooklyn campus, Hampton, and a few more.

UH- What is your ultimate goal as for being a DJ?

DJ- I guess my own radio show. I can see myself fitting in somewhere like Power 105, or Hot 97. I know it’s going to take a little while but I’m patient. I mean, I’m rewriting my bio every week and I’m pushing towards it. I’ve got a press kit and everything. I’m taking a whole new angle. My website: DJSpynfo.net. Make sure you put that in there.

UH- What would you tell someone that is probably in high school right now wanting to make the same moves and leave the same trail in becoming a world known DJ?

DJ- Surround yourself with good people, keep your vision clear and if it don’t make money, it don’t make sense.