Michigan's Mixtape King, DJ Graffiti, talks business and Blackness
Posted Jul 30 2008
I was just speaking with a friend about CNN’s series “Black in America” and one of the things we talked about is how successful African Americans are often labeled as “acting White.” In many ways, I think it has less to do with success itself and how people present themselves or how they don’t connect with other African Americans. For example, most of the students I work with respect people doing the right thing and making money. A lot of the guys they showed in the series were kind of corny to me. Since you’ve achieved a certain level of success, have you encountered people calling you a “sellout” or “acting white?”I have lots of friends still in the ‘hood and I never catch it. We’re older and people are like, “that’s what you’re supposed to do, you’re supposed to get paid!” Now, when I was younger, I caught it as a kid at church because we lived in the suburbs and I spoke well, but that’s changed as the communities changed. The suburbs are totally different I can’t even remember anyone saying anything like that since high school.
I came up with a privileged lifestyle and I was exposed to a lot of things that people of any race don’t experience (among other things, playing in the Montreux Jazz Festival as a kid). I grew up in Oak Park with all kinds of people, Arabs, Jews, Whites, Blacks, and later I moved to Bloomfield Hills, which has all kinds of people. In my school something like 50 nationalities are represented. When I watch shows like that (“Black in America”), I feel like they tend to focus more on the negative. I’ve actually experienced a lot of that negative and I know it exists, and I also recognize that I grew up in middle class community and that I had many opportunities, including going to U of M so my views aren’t as negative. I feel like shows like that keep a lot of the negativity going. Like, if I was looking for a job and watch that show, I’d just be like, “dang, forget that, White people ain’t about to give me a job, everyone’s going to jail…what’s the point in even trying in this society?” That’s why I have mixed feelings about those shows. That’s one of the reasons it makes me so happy to see Barack Obama where he is. He’ll open up so many doors for young people of color. Regardless if he actually wins, he shows the possibility of what can be. It gives you the belief in your own ability to do it and not killing your own chances because you don’t believe that it’ll happen.
OK, let’s talk about some of the DJing side. How did you hook
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up with Phat Kat?I can’t remember how I first hooked up with Barak records, but my church used to use the space in the same complex and I used to go over there and talk to (Barak founder) R.J. Rice . I just used to hang round and I learned so much about the industry. I was excited because that was the place where people like Slum and Dwele record. One day Phat Kat came in and asked if I wanted to be his DJ.
What are some of the places you’ve traveled with him?
(Laughing) Not really anywhere. London and Detroit. That’s it. He’s usually with Slum Village and they already have Dez so there’s no need for a second DJ.
Was that London trip your fist time overseas? What stood out to you?
Yeah, that was my only time. Musically, the people in London were just so much more into it. Their interest and drive for the type of hip hop I’m into was so strong. It had the energy of hip hop from years ago. They’re not late, they just kept that hunger. Otherwise, just seeing how things were different; just little things like experiencing the exchange rate like paying the equivalent of $10 for a two piece at KFC or getting charged for some ketchup. It was like 75 cents for two ketchup packets.
How did officially getting your mix CDs licensed work out for you?
They worked out fine. For most people, the difficultly is the cost. Since I did it myself it cut back on the lawyer costs. I’m getting ready to do another one.
Do you find that you have a relationship advantage with labels and artists since you did all of the paper work?
Not really. In many case, DJs and artists have a relationship. Even though its verbal consent, I do the extra of putting it on paper. Even though people get sued from time to time, the reality is labels are always calling DJs to put their music on their CDS, which is basically consent. Still, I did all the paper work so it would seem like any other above the radar release.
On a more personal note, what’s the role your father has played in your business? I ask because years ago you were telling me about your father helping you develop a business plan and that really stood out to me. For a long time I bought into that “I’m my own man” stuff, but as I started studying successful people, I realized how important mentors and support were, including our own families.
My dad and I are best friends and he’s very business minded. Just about everything I do from a business stand point I run by him first.
I remember when you were putting together the “Hip Hop Heaven” showcase a few years ago you consulted your dad about the title. What was that about?
Well, my dad’s a pastor and I didn’t want to be offensive since it had the word “Heaven” in the title. He said it was fine. I mean the reality is that there is only one heaven. This was just a figure of speech that this was like a high point of hip hop.
Related to that, I know church and spirituality is very important to you so does that create problems working in an industry that doesn’t put an emphasis on spirituality?
For me it’s not even just religious, it’s about right and wrong. I’d base it more on that; on being a man. At times I may blur the line, but at the end, I know right from wrong. It’s the golden rule. My conscience plays the biggest role in steering clear of negative energy. I try to deal with positive things that affect people in a positive way. I know that my view and perspective comes from that church influence, but it’s more of me just trying to do what I know is right.
I know you gotta’ bounce, so is there anything that people
should check for?I’m still at “Elevation” on Sunday Nights at The Firefly Club in Ann Arbor and I have two new CDs, “Soul Beautiful” and "Hipsters Need Soul Too." Of course people should check out my website for updates!
That was a A+ interview. It deserves to be in a magazine, people need to know more about people like Graffiti.