Interview with DJ Flipcyide
Nahila S – How and when did you start DJing?
DJ Flipcyide – I started DJing in 1992 when I got my first set of turntables and a mixer. The setup was 2 different kinds of older model Technic direct drive turntables that were pretty beat up and rough and weren’t even 1200’s but I did have some good scratching Stanton needles which were in for DJ’s at that time, so I had to just work what I had and start practicing and learn how to scratch and mix until I later mastered my craft and was able to get some better equipment.
Nahila S – Who or what were your early influences?
DJ Flipcyide – I had a real close friend at that time who goes by Nukleus who showed me basic scratching and how to use the mixer but the more technical scratching was all inspired by DJ Premier, DJ Tony Touch, DJ Kid Capri, and DJ Scratch. Use to sit and watch Gangstarr video’s for hours and watch Premo’s hands movement and his style of scratching then would go get on my tables and just practice for hours and try and get that same sound or create my own sound as well.
DJ Scratch influenced any trick scratches that I copied from him or others that I would try to invent on my own. I use to beat juggle two of Tha Alkaholiks records with one hand while drinking a 40 oz. with the other. Was a cool trick and never saw any other DJ do that but I don’t do that anymore now that I stopped drinking, and am more a mixtape DJ.
Nahila S – Where does the name DJ Flipcyide come from?
DJ Flipcyide – The name came from an old friend Robert Fernandez aka: John Conna have to give him his credit for this cause I did have a couple horrible names before Flipcyide. I went through names likes DJ AMG, DJ KAP, and DJ Knucklehead. Ha, Ha, Ha…Yes I know those are terrible and never really liked none of those but had to have a name till I could find the one that really fit me.
Me and Rob were hanging out in my room one day just spinning records and chilling when I left the room to get something to drink and came back and he was like “Ladies and Gentleman” I present DJ Flipside” and I was like dude “Thats It”. I asked him where it came from and he said it just popped in his head and he remembered it from a cartoon in the 80’s called Kidd Video where one of the characters at the intro of the cartoon would say he was taking everyone to the flipside. As time went on I had to change the spelling from Flipside a couple times cause there was already a DJ Flipside for the group Above The Law and also the group Flipsyde. So I messed around with letters until I finally came up with Flipcyide.
Nahila S – You are an Official Wu-Tang DJ, how and when did this collaboration started?
DJ Flipcyide – It happened about 2 years ago and I really have to thank Judah Priest for this one he put in a good word with me to Justis Hype who was in charge of the Wu-Tang DJ’s at that time and soon after that me and Justis got a chance to sit down and talk on the phone and the rest was history. Now Rah Dolla is in charge of the Wu-Tang DJ’s and is been nothing but good to me also. We are working on a new mixtape representing the Wu-DJ’s that will be coming out soon cant tell you much more than that but be on the look out for it.
Nahila S – You made over a hundred mixtapes with some of the most famous MCs, are there some of the mixtapes that will remain more special to you?
DJ Flipcyide – The mixtapes that will mean the most to me are the ones I did for Junior Reid, Hell Razah, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Cuban Link, Ca$his, Judah Priest, Papa Duck, Maino, Ma Barker, Masspike Miles, Raekwon, Solomon Childs, Code Blue Aka: 40.Cal Hammerz, Queen The Prophet, Tahmell (Rakim’s Son), Strong Arm Steady, Talib Kweli, Young Buck, Sean Price Tribute Mixtape, Enza The French General with Shyheim, Glasses Malone and Killarmy all 3 different mixtapes, all of my Ambush series Mixtapes and my recent mixtape with Selima Young aka Wonda Woman but the most important mixtape of all to me is the Like Father Like Son I did for my Son Alaric Gonzales.
Also I am working on new Mixtapes for MC Lyte, Tony Touch, Amerie, and DJ Premier at the moment the DJ Premier mixtape is not official but doesn’t matter to me am a huge fan of his work so am doing this one for me and will be finishing and releasing all those before I retire as well.
Nahila S – To date, what are your best career achievements?
DJ Flipcyide – My Best career achievements would be all the mixtapes that I mentioned in the previous question and also being ranked in the Top 100 Mixtape DJ’s in the World for 2013, 2014, and now 2015 and winning an award from thatmixtape.com for Thatmixtape.com Best Mixtape DJ of the Year for 2015, and an award plaque from Lloyd Banks/G-Unit Records for helping in the promotion of his HFM2 (Hunger for More 2) Album for going Platinum.
Nahila S – What positive does your passion for music bring you?
DJ Flipcyide – The only positive thing that I can say my passion for music has brought me is that it has helped me get through really tough times and I am talking some really bad times. Music helps keep my mind off the frustrations and trials I go through in life and if it wasn’t for music I probably would have been getting in a lot more trouble in my younger days and would have lost it or wouldn’t even be here today if I wouldn’t have gotten into music.
Nahila S – You recently announced that you had decided to retire from music, will you release a last project before you go?
DJ Flipcyide – Yes Like I mentioned I have a couple more other major mixtapes that I will be releasing before I get out as well but my main project that I am releasing before I retire is called “Leftovers”. Which is some of my greatest tracks that I ever had on some of my past mixtapes and some new songs that no one has ever heard before.
As of now it will be featuring Hell Razah, Ty Nitty from Infamous Mobb/Love & Loyalty, Mykill Miers, Kev Turner, Columbo Black, Detane, Solomon Childs, Royal Flush, Tahmell (Rakim’s Son), Rampage, Arkatak, Queen The Prophet, Timbo King, Tragedy Khadafi, Prodigal Sunn, Bahamadia, Jill Scott, Beretta 9 Aka Kinetic 9 from Kilarmy, Prawphit, Pace Won, Main Flow, El Gant, Betty B., Honey Dinero, Wonda Woman, Supreme I-Self, ETERNAL of Killa Bees, P.I.L.L.S., Dungeon Masta, Lord Fury and much more still in the works. Yes all these people on one mixtape with me on the scratches and some production by me, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Sneak Vandal, Ayatollah and much more.
This mixtape is going to be a Hip Hop Classic and all boom bap for those real Hip Hop heads that miss that 90’s Hip Hop feel.
Nahila S – What do you think about the state of Hip Hop?
DJ Flipcyide – Most people would say that Hip Hop is Dead or that it is over. Naw…Hip Hop is far from dead and still lives very strong. You’re just not going to find it on the radio, MTV or BET anymore like it was in the 90’s. Now you have to dig on youtube, mixtape sites or sites like www.undergroundhiphop.com or google or bing search underground hip hop sites to find it.
A lot of the veteran Mc’s we love are still doing this and very strong. Hell Razah, Method Man, Jadakiss, Termanology, Apathy, Sheek Louch, Raekwon, Czarface, Madchild, Omen, and much more just released real Hip Hop albums this year and there is a lot more coming out all the time.
So Hip Hop is far from dead just very much underground. Now on a different story though if you are referring to the new generation of Hip Hop like Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Migos, Drake and all these artists, I just cant do that. I tried once to give it a chance and maybe I am just old school and a 90’s cat but yeah to me that ain’t Hip Hop. I been telling people for a while I refer to that as Hip Pop cause its like Hip Hop with a twist of Pop music and I mean don’t get me wrong music is going to evolve always and if the new generations loves it all to them but I just cant fucks with that. My heart was in the 90’s so when I am looking for Hip Hop today I still look for that feel in an album from old or new artists.
Nahila S – What advise or message would you like to pass on to someone willing to become a DJ?
DJ Flipcyide – The only advise I would give is if your going to be a Hip Hop, EDM, House, Techno, or R&B DJ or which ever one you decide, please research the music and culture first before you even start and know its history don’t just jump in cause its the cool thing to do.
Once you have done that the love and inspiration comes even easier and it shows you actually know your roots of what you are doing and getting into. A DJ who knows his music background and pioneers history will get more respect than a DJ that is just doing it to be the cool guy or girl. Also please don’t be one of these fake DJ’s that is destroying the art. These DJ’s are the ones that are pretending to be pushing buttons when they really aren’t, or having pre-made mixes while faking like they are mixing, or the worst of all steal someones elses mix or scratches and pretend that its your work. This is the lowest and can destroy your DJ career quick.
Trust me all real DJ’s know who these DJ’s are and most DJ’s like this sooner or later get exposed for their fake skills and will be remembered for that always. Last but not least be ready to spend some money cause good DJ equipment don’t come cheap but its well worth it in the long run and if you don’t which is quality equipment well now days you can research that on the internet or ask your fellow accomplished DJ.
You be surprised they probably wont mind helping you out if you approach them right.
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Interview by Isa Nahila S Bigini aka Nahila S