5th ANNUAL LATIN MIXX CONFERENCE + AWARDS 2010

An indepth interview with one of Latin Mixx's finest DJ Prostyle.

JP: Where did your passion for music come from? How did it all get started?

Prostyle: I think my passion for music was always there, starting from being a young kid. My father was in a band and was a deejay when he was younger. I remember when I was like 12 or 13 years old and my sister had a Sweet Sixteen party at the house. I saw a deejay spinning and mixing and I was so intrigued by it. I went over to the deejay and he taught me how to switch turntables and scratch. He was really cool because he said I could practice while he left the equipment there for two weeks. So for two weeks, all I would do is practice on the equipment and scratch. After he picked it up, I begged my mother to get me the DJ equipment!

JP: What are your influences? Your motivators?

Prostyle: I always wanted to master whatever I’m doing at the highest level. When I was learning to DJ I stuck to it and learned. Once I was able to do that I learned to scratch and how to make different music. I remember seeing Kid Capri at one of his parties and saw the way he controlled the crowd and talked on the mic. I just love music and passionate about it.

JP: Tell me 3 songs that are stuck in your head right now.

Prostyle: “Over” by Drake

“Beamer, Benz, or Bentley” by Llyod Banks ft. Juelz Santana

“Have It Your Way” by Red Café ft. Drake

JP: What advice could you give to an aspiring DJ trying to break it in the mainstream market?

Prostyle: First of all, stick to what you love to do and learn to master the art. It’s easy to forget sometimes. Cerrado came out, which made things easier but you never gain respect from people that way. Because of the changes in technology, you need to take it back to the basics and learn from the ground up. Now a day, things are a bit easier but back then there was a lot of ground work. Be creative and good at all of it: mixing, scratching, and talking on the mic. Most importantly, if this is what your passionate about make sure you stick to it! You’re going to face many obstacles, you’re going to have people hate on you, and people who want you to give it up. I remember at one time when I was younger; my dad was like “Why are you wasting your time on that? You should just stop.” And recently, I helped him buy a house.

JP: What are some of your hidden talents?

Prostyle: I’m a good runner! You live a crazy lifestyle as a DJ because you’re always out late and if you have a day job as well; your sleep patterns are off. It’s easy to get out of shape with that kind of schedule and I want to set an example and goal for everyone to be in shape. I’ve trained myself in these Nike challenges were at first I learned to jog and now I was able to run 14miles in one day. I surprised myself by doing that and plan to do a running marathon for a charity in the future. I’m also good in typing! I remember taking a class in high school and I was typing like 70 words per a minute.

JP: How did you become a Heavy Hitter deejay?

Prostyle: I got down with BET and Heavy Hitters at the same time. It was around 2003/2004 where we started Spring Bling in Daytona, Florida. I was already making noise on the radio and DJ Enuff was the other deejay. I was working on some projects with this woman, Evette and she introduced us to one another. Since he ran NYC and the Heavy Hitters, he asked me “Do you run your city?” I laughed and said, “Of course I do”. He had this instinct about me and knew that I will attack anything in my path and master everything I do. He put me on the team and I’ve been down every since.

JP: When and why did you did you decide to create AllPro?

Prostyle: I met this kid Traffic and he is a very talented person. He would come to the radio station everyday to DJ and give me CD’s. I finally listened to one and realized that he was really good. From there on out, anytime I needed any beats he would freestyle them for me. We were working one day and he asked me, “Why don’t I start my own record label? I mean you have the radio on lock and have connects.” I got with a lawyer, started thinking of names and came up with AllPro. I got a website going and signed him as an artist. Even though we’re doing music, it’s grown to become so much more because we have deejays, artists, and producers that is in the AllPro family- it’s became a movement.

JP: What is the craziest thing a fan has done to get your attention?

Prostyle: (laughing) Obviously some girls have gone out of their way to get my attention by flashing me, saying crazy and nasty things that they would do to me. But I will say that one of the most memorable things a fan has done to get my attention was given me a portrait that she had painted. She was waiting outside the club because she was too young to get in with her mom, holding the painting. I was her idol and her favorite DJ and she wanted a picture with me. I’ve gotten paintings and t-shirts from fans before but this particular painting was special because it showed off her talent through that portrait.

JP: As a mainstream DJ you’ve worked with some well known celebrities. Is there an artist you would like to work with but haven’t got a chance to?

Prostyle: I was fortunate enough to work with Biggie but I think one artist I would like to work with is Jay-Z. I’ve never done anything with him whether it is musically or other business ventures. It almost happened once but it things changed and it didn’t go down that route.

JP: What are you currently working on so that fans could be looking forward to?

Prostyle: Right now I’m still doing BET’s 106 & Park every Wednesday and Friday and BET’s Spring Bling (that will be shooting very soon). As for radio I’m in NY on Power 105.3 on Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 3-8. And as far as clubs go, I’m booked every day! You can see where I’ll be on Twitter @DJProstyle or http://www.djprostyle.com Sometimes I’m doing 3 clubs a night, so make sure you check to see where I’ll be at! I’m the Ciroc boy, a deejay crew that promotes Ciroc liquor on a national level. I’m also working with Liquid Lightening energy drink, a water deal, Indy car racing, and we’re working on some upcoming projects and events with Diddy.

JP: Being a club, TV, or radio deejay, which one comes to mind first?

Prostyle: Each has its advantages. With TV everything is scripted based on what the producers want and has time allotted for. When I’m on the radio as an on air personality, you follow a schedule to what songs are going to played to the time you go on commercials. When I’m on DJing, is what I love most because it’s where you can show off your skills. I would choose rocking clubs lol if anything I’m just saying from a having fun standpoint.

JP: Congratulations on winning the Best Down South DJ at the Latin Mixx Awards. What does this honor mean to you?

Prostyle: It means a lot because you have some great names going against you especially at this magnitude. When I was down south I made a lot of noise out there and this award meant that I was getting paid off for my hard work and recognized.

JP: Lastly, you have been part of the evolutions of Latin Mixx, can you describe your Latin Mixx experience from 2005 – 2009?

Prostyle: Wow it’s been great, the first year I was part of the kick off. I was on the panel for 2 years. It’s been great networking experience and seeing people you don’t get a chance to because our crazy work schedules. It’s like if the industry is your fellow co-workers that you hardly get to see. You might read about them or listen to their song but never get a chance to catch up. So when we all come together to this event it’s always a great experience. It’s a fun catching up with old friends and seeing with others are up.