Are the rumors that you’re going to sign Canibus true?
Acutally to be exact, I'm part of a new label called Deja 34 with Shaq O'Neal and Marc Stevens...and Canibis is signing with Shaq - kinda the same thing - we all part of the same family.

What about Papoose? What made you want to sign him?
One, I remember hearing him back in 99 - He was on G Rap's album - he reminded me of G Rap and Big L...It's not like its just a new cat I just heard...I didn't hear from him for awhile though, and he popped up at the station, playin me mad records...He would show up before my show @ 11:30 - then when i would leave he'd be outside waiting for me!!! He showed alot of hunger and dedication!! And, thats what I respect! When I gave his music a listen, I heard how original his style was. Sometimes you just want to hear some real lyrics - not talkin bout what you do on the streets, and shooting mufuckahs!! And, the KID HAD IT ALL!!

There’s a million mixtape DJ’s now, how do you feel about that?
There's a million mixtape DJs and 2 million of them that SUCK....We have to make clear what a MIXTAPE DJ is...a mixtape DJ is..well there's different mixtape djs..If you use the title DJ, that means as well as mixtapes, you have to be a DJ as well, and I'm not talking bout you gettin records off the internet, DAT doesn't make you a DJ!!...Sickamore does not DJ, Big Mike does NOT DJ, nawhatimsayin?? there's a GANG of others...I'm not singling out!! I do alot of reading!!!...I heard him say that he doesn't want DJ in his name anymore. And, then he said that the internet is the new wave for mixtapes getting done??..And if your not part of getting music off the internet, EVERYBODY ELSE will fall off. My whole problem with that IS that djing is an art and its bigger then takin' one record and puttin em on top of each other...It's about putting records together, doing parties, doin shows and having an ear for new talent - those are the qualities of a dj...if u only make mixtapes and talk over them - YOU ARE a pause button dj...and nothing else..U ARE nothing but a pause button dj - and god forbid - the internet was to crash!!

What was your first mixtape?
My first mixtape was in 1994 it was called WARNING with DJ Demo - it was a blend mixtape - my first mixtapes were all blend mixtapes - that was before the exclusives came in and took the creativity out of the game. And anyone who knows me knows that i used to do some of illest blend tapes in the mid 90s. Blend tapes with Chill Will from the Eastside - Hot Dave from the Dream Team just to name a few.

How do you decide what artists to put on your mixtapes?
Dats where the part of having that ear for music comes in - its like I didn't go for big name artists - I go for artists that are on the come up as well and thats what kind of separated me.

What artists do you look at that you broke to the streets?
WOW...Black Rob, Juelz Santana - he was part of a group called Draft Pick before the Dips & before he was a poster Boy on 106 & Park, I was bangin his music! The Diplomats as a whole - before Cam signed with The Roc. Up to the first mixtape we did Diplomats Vol. 1 - which sold more than all their mixtapes to date, which had the freestyle on it, that I later told them to add another verse, which was Old Boy before. As far as the South, TI freestyled on my tapes - when his name was TIP - Lil Flip, I was the first person to bring him on the radio, and the mixtapes and streets in NY. Loon when he used to rap hardcore...and too many to name. Most importantly - 50 Cent - and everybody gives credit to Whoo Kid, I put the record 50 Shot Ya on right after his mishap when he first signed with Vialator & everybody was against him. That was the ony record he had on vinyl...and I did his first radio interview with G Unit on Hot 97. I got all of it on tape. Niggas can't dispute that. 50 clearly says - that I was the first one to show him love.

Are you more valuable to artists than A&R’s and label execs?
A thousand times more valuable. 1/2 the A&Rs went to school for this shit....music is a gift that everybody doesn't have and just cause your somebody's relative that doesnt necessarily make u an official A&R or CEO. Most of them are there for the check and not in the best interest of the artist.

What are the most memorable things to happen on your radio show?
There's so many - One of them was a female night - Remy Martin, Lady Luck, Amil, Glaze NY was on the show, and it was like a cat fight..they all came dressed like they was goin out on a date with Donald Trump - minks on, leather pants, jewelery. When that mic came on - it WAS CRAZY!! Even then, Remy and Lady Luck was goin at each other, but it wasn't on a angry issue, they was cutting each other off, and shit, it was crazy!! The other night is when i had the new up and coming rappers on the show.. had Cassidy, Shells, Ali Vegas, Graph, the Teamstas, Swizz Beats was there in the cut...these cats was disrespecting each other so bad!! At one point, The Teamstas wanted to jump Shells..haha...it was ugly..they was rhyming for a good hour and 1/2.

You’ve been at the center of a lot of beefs between artists, how do you deal with situations like that?
Well basically - it's their situation - not mine...as far as I'm concerned - its 2 people battling to be number one - they comin' to me to air out their dirty laundry...I'm not goin to take sides, but if I'm asked who I feel triumphed in the situation, I'm goin to speak from my heart, who I feel won!

When you do a massive compilation, how do you decide who’s gonna do tracks with who and how hard is it to keep all the paperwork straight?
It's part of having that ear for music - like who can ride a track a certain way, and who will sound good on the same track as another artist- and the paperwork is the lawyers job, or his assistant.

Will you be going to Justo’s Mixtape Awards this year?
Yea.. most definitely!! - I always gotta show my luv and support, for what helped make me who I am today. I don't go lookin to win awards because. I had to be retired. Knowing that nobody goin to beat me. I just go to support.

You had a well-publicized beef with Clue, are you guys cool now?
Clue is a business man like myself...I'm not the type of person to keep thriving on a situation. After I been heard, it makes no sense to keep on, cause then u begin to look like a hater..he heard me, I heard him, and we both chose to just get this paper.

A lot of people only know you as “The Drama King,” not the Dez from “Style Wars,” how hard did you have to work to get your name out there like that?
Graffitti was a situation while I was djing, right beyond a teenager. I did both at a very young age, and at that time, there was no money being generated by the music, and I had another talent which was art, so I leaned on that...Not to mention that I was one of the biggest subway graff artists in the world, and landed me a movie, galleries, books, all the hiphop history.

Are you happy with where you are in the industry right now?
Umm..I'm happy with who I am, I'm not happy with where I'm at in the industry. The industry only accepts full time ass kissers, and that I AM DEFINITELY NOT and NEVER WILL BE!!! So my success will only go so far in the industry but.....they can't stop the prophet regardless!!

What DJ’s do you respect in the industry?
Clue, Green Lantern, Envy, Felli Fel, Mike Watts, Emperor Sercy...Funk Flex - his hustle is ridiculous!!

What artists are next to blow in your opinion?
Papoose, Cory Gunz, J Millz, Saigon.

What's next for you?
New label situation with Deja 34 with Shaq & Money Mark - the double album, the Game of Death, May 2005 - dropping...I'm doing this Shade 45 radio with Eminem....

Shout Outs:
To All the Real Djs that represent the game and not the dollar sign!!

Interview by Abby 1-ILL