Mixtape Friday: Episode 069 – Mixed by Dragga

TommY BoY and Dragga hit us this week with a mix meant for those with Hip-Hop running through their veins. I’m not talking about old school Hip-Hop cuts…true to its title “Beats, Rhymes & Soul” its that creative lane where you aren’t positive where your thoughts might end up. Straight ride through on this one, not a disappointing moment on the trip.

What is the significance of your name and how did you get it?

Back in 2005 my AIM screen name was dragger519 because I was into drag racing and May 19 is my birthday, my good friend Wreck Young Thaddius was helping me come up with a name for myself as a producer. He said, “why don’t you go by Dragger? Like your AIM SN?” and I replied, “yeah, that could work… I’m thinking Dragga ’cause it sounds gangsta, ha!”

Describe your style?

Soulful. My music mentor Tall Black Guy and his wife Chaka B instilled that in me. Like Big K.R.I.T says, “If it don’t touch my soul, then I can’t listen to it.” Music should have Soul in it, not just Motown Soul but it should make you feel good about life and the production value has to grab you internally.

What was the first record you start scratching and mixing on the turntables?

I grew up in the turntable era, but unfortunately I never owned a pair. I remember in High School my friend Daniel at the time had a pair of Gemini’s and I used to play with the scratch records he had. Only other other turntables I’ve touched after that were my good friend DJ verve’s Technic 1200’s, he showed me how to use the Dicer on them. But yeah, that’s as far as my turntablism goes. Thank God for Ableton Live, ha!

You are a pretty diverse DJ, describe the music scene in your neck of the woods?

Here in Los Angeles Top 40 always dominates, I mean it’s Hollywood. Other than that, there’s a small culture of Hip-Hop purists still keeping the Boom Bap alive with events such as Boombox L.A. with DJ Inka One and The Beat SwapMeet which always gives love to analog enthusiasts. But out of all that, the one scene that is kicking butt and taking names is the Future Beats/Future R&B genre headed by Soulection. If you look them up, they’ve built a huge community and culture around it, so yeah I would say they’re currently crackin’ at the moment.

Who and what are your influences?

God and Jesus Christ are first in my life always but musically there’s a lot including Tall Black Guy, Joei Jo, Dr. Dre, 9th Wonder, J Dilla, Alchemist, Entrstellar, and DJ Premier.

What artists are you listening to right now?

80’s Babies new album “Searching For Happy”, Dr. Dre’s new album “Compton” and Warren G’s latest “Regulate… G-Funk Era 2”, Entrstellar’s “Entr The Remix: Instrumentals – EP”, and pretty much all the music I featured on my latest mix.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

Dr. Dre if still possible and 9th Wonder, I think I would learn so much from them about music and business.

What would be the steps you would take as a DJ to Break an artist in your area?

Besides playing their music, I would say build a brand, get social with free tools like Periscope, Soundcloud, and Twitter to connect with people. Building a culture and community will give you longevity.

Do you prefer radio or live DJing?

Radio, I can always pre-record it and fix my mistakes… Thank God for Ableton Live.

Is there anything you would like our readers to know?

Follow me on my social sites, search: draggabeats and I’m on all of them (Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud, and Instagram) and follow my team Sounds Good Records, search: soundsgoodrecs and you’ll find us (Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud, and Instagram). Thank You guys for taking the time to read this and get to know me. Much love.