Mixmatters & DJ Pharoah

MixMatters had the honor to chop it up with a DJ who has been in the game for over 20 years. He is a DJs DJ who stays true to the art form. Check out what he had to say us.

So what’s your DJ name and what’s your real name?
My DJ Name is DJ Pharoah, coincidentally my real name is Pharoah

Where did you grow up?
Southside, Chicago, IL

Where do you live now?
Las Vegas, NV

Are you single?
Currently divorced… so I guess that’s a yes.

Ever been able to travel out of the country?
I’ve been to Japan, Thailand and Hawaii

If where would you like to go if you could?
Hong Kong and Australia is on my list

How long have you been a DJ?
Professionally since 1987 but have been playing around with music since age 10.

What's your favorite Genre to play?
House music, followed by Hip-Hop/RnB

Since you have been in the game for a minute what kind of equipment did you start out with?
I started out with some cheap stuff, I’m talking a belt driven turntable with the tonearm retracts when it reaches the spindle and tape deck.

And now?
Now I’m working with 2 Technics 1210’s, 2 Numark CDXs, a pioneer DJM—909 mixer and a Behringer DJX-700 mixer.

Are you sad to see Vinyl on its last leg?
I’m split into two on that issue, I grew up with vynil and love working with it, but it was always a hassle finding the tracks you needed, plus they are heavy as hell. I still use vinyl for the radio station though.

Where do spin? (stations, clubs, internet)
Currently, I’m on Friday/Saturday nights on KVEG – Hot 97.5 fm, and still do the mobile thing.

What is your role at the station?
Cut and Dry I’m a mixer.

What would you like your role to be in the future?
Would love to move more on the production side with a small on-air personality role.

What is the difference for you to DJ on radio vs. at a club?
The crowd without a doubt. When you’re at a club you have direct interaction with the crowd and you can read them. At the station, even though you’re broadcasting to thousands of people, you’re still in a room so you just have to remember that it’s radio. I just think back to the time when I would listen to the DJs in Chicago spinnin house music on WBMX.

What are some of the craziest things that have happened to you while at the station? 
Nothing too dramatic yet, except for the times that I played a few dirty versions of songs by accident back to back.

At the Club?
I always trip on women that won’t give you the time of day when you ask them to dance, but when they see you behind the table then they’re all on your jock.

Any Career highlights you would like to share?  Someone you met, something you got to do for someone else.  Anything.
I have been so lucky to meet as many celebrities (Pharrell, Bruce Bruce, Shawna, John Witherspoon), but everybody stay tuned because the best is yet to come for Pharoah.

Who are some other DJ's that you feel are at the top of the game?
Qbert is one that comes to mind. It would be foolish of me to name anyone else because I don’t know everyone and I’m sure there are some excellent DJs out there that don’t have the recognition

Who influences you?
The guys that influenced me were the Hotmix 5 on 102.7 FM WBMX Chicago, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Ralphie Rosario, Kenny “Jammin” Jason, Mike “Hitman” Wilson”, Bad Boy Bill, these cats channeled my creativity and help me focus on what’s important in mixing.

What is the largest crowd you have ever performed for?
Believe it or not, it was a Christmas Party for National Airlines which is where I worked and there had to be about 2,000 people there that night.

Any advice to give to new DJs wanting to get into radio?
Keep yo’ mixes tight and know your music, forget about the tricks, practice everyday if you have to.

Do you think internet radio will take the place of radio?
No, each has their own market and both will survive.

Do you have your own website or myspace?
www.gottahavemuzik.com and www.myspace.com/djkingp

Are you willing to take on gigs outside your area? Can someone book you?
I’ve taken gigs as far out as San Diego, I can be booked for anything as long as I’m paid fairly.

What do you do when you aren’t busy moving the crowd?
I make the bulk of my ends as a Network Administrator, ya know, computers and stuff, other than that it’s spending time with the fam and going to the movies.

Anything else you would like to share.
I am trying to get into showbiz by being the DJ on one of those ridiculous shows, so if anyone has any contacts in that area, hook yo’ boy up. LOL. I try to post short mixes on my website for you to download or stream, so check periodically.

 

www.gottahavemuzik.com
www.myspace.com/djkingp