Local Memphis Artists Hold Memphis DJs Accountable

MemphisRap.com had a chance to sit down with some very agitated local artists on the state of Memphis Hip Hop and R&B. They point the blame at the DJs at radio and in the clubs.

Local Memphis Artists Hold Memphis DJs’ accountable for the Lack of success out of Memphis.

MemphisRap.com had a chance to sit down with some very agitated local artists on the state of Memphis Hip Hop and R&B. They point the blame at the Djs at radio and in the clubs. One artist said he talked to K97’s Devin Steele at a Dj meeting and Devin gave him sound advice, “Man a lot of cats out of Memphis have that bedroom sound.” “Your record should have the same quality as a mainstream artist, I gotta be able to play a Jay-Z song and then yours behind it and not loose the crowd.”

The artist said he took the advice and focused on having a quality sound. So he sought out the production assistance from Grammy Nominee and multi platinum producer of Notorious B.I.G ( Ready to Die) & P. Diddy (No Way Out) and a list of others; Carlos “6th July” Broady out of Memphis TN. Then, he returned to Devin Steele to give him a copy of the new music for his approval or constructive criticism. He gave him the material and never heard back from him.

Everyone should know by now, if they’re in the game and understand what is going on, you can’t depend on the radio to make you hot, it has to start in the streets. It’s necessary in getting spins in “strip” clubs, “popular” clubs, all the way down to the “hole in the wall” clubs. The only problem the artists had with this is, the same DJs on the radio are the same DJs in the clubs and if you’re not in a certain clique (politics) or have record company representation you basically have no chance in the clubs or on radio.

Another artist mentioned that he talked to Hot 107’s DJ Boogaloo and let Boogaloo know he wasn’t interested in radio play he only wanted to get a few spins in a popular club on Sunday nights where he was the DJ. Boogaloo replied “That’s a hot joint but, I don’t really play new records like that only commercial songs everyone knows.”

I thought DJs were suppose to break records if they were done professionally and have potential? How else will people become familiar with a song if they can’t hear it in the club and try to dance along with it?