ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 386: DJ SHARAD "The Evolution of South Asian Sound in Hip-Hop"

In this episode of the ROAD Podcast, we’re joined by the founder of @DJUSAEvents, a memeber of the world famous @HeavyHitter's Crew, Queen's very own @DJSharad! The episode kicks off with Sharad reflecting on growing up in Queens and Long Island, and discovering Hip Hop (01:12). He details his entry into DJing and bootlegging Kid Capri mixtapes (03:55) The crew examines 1990s NYC club dynamics, venue segregation, and how early Bhangra parties often ended in lost bookings (22:50). Sharad explores building his fanbase, @PanjabiMC, and South Asian influence in Hip Hop, before breaking down the term "Desi," 2000s @Timbaland/@JustBlaze production, and representation vs. appropriation (33:36). The crew discusses Bollywood's global reach, @NAS and @RocNation investing in India, and key leaders like @DiljitDosanjh and @VivianAkaDivine (42:20). Sharad then covers making money handing out mixtapes at party doors (43:01), founding DJ USA, focusing on audiences over peer approval (52:05), and partnering with @FatFingaz (01:01:20). Finally, he touches on joining @TheHeavyHitters, earning co-signs from legends like @BoogieBlind (1:20:15), working with Clark Kent and top brands (1:20:01), and scaling down post-COVID (01:33:01).

This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ’s, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code “ROAD”. If you’re in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!!

Try Beatport for free: tinyurl.com/yc8da2pz

Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 385: CLUB 1BD "From Living Room DJ Sets to National Tours" Feat. Hunny Bee

This episode of the ROAD podcast features an in-depth conversation with @DJHunnyBee, @ArtyFurtado, and @itsDavidTheDJ of the @Club1BD crew. The convo starts with a look at the origins of their collaborative relationship, the unique soundscapes of their events, and the welcoming atmosphere they foster within the LGBTQ community (01:30). Then the team shuts down fabrications surrounding "paid actor" allegations, while emphasizing the significance of their partnership with @AllovusLV in Las Vegas (05:37). The crew highlights the importance of basic hospitality for DJs and why, given the inconsistent treatment of artists at venues, more DJs should take ownership of their own events (18:45). The conversation turns to event programming and the debate over whether every event requires a dedicated opening DJ or if curated playlists serve the crowd better (23:01). Hunny Bee breaks down the viral success of her @lilBieber “Yukon” edit (44:01). The dialogue turns to the cultural landscape, specifically addressing the growing "cancelled artist" list, the controversy surrounding playing artists like Nicki Minaj or R Kelly, and the difficulty of maintaining a musical "safe space” (52:01). Finally, the crew debates the shifting career trajectories between DJing and music production, concluding with a call to action for labels and artists to better recognize the vital role DJs play in breaking new music (1:01:00).

Try Beatport for free: tinyurl.com/yc8da2pz

Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 384: CFLO "Serato’s Mad Scientist on Building a DJ Tech Empire"

In this episode of @ROADpodcast, the crew sits down with the mastermind behind the revolutionary stem-separation software, Stemverter, and the founder and owner of DJ agency @DowntownTalent: the one and only @CFLOinc! The episode kicks off with CFLO’s history in the industry and his transition into developing tech solutions for DJs (04:10). The discussion shifts to the evolution of his agency, @DowntownTalent, and his strategic shift from full-time performing to scaling his business (16:10). CFLO details his technical projects, including his work with Serato stems and the upcoming release of Stemverter 4 (27:01), before the group debates the pressures of social media marketing and the exhaustion of maintaining a DJ brand versus building business infrastructure (46:01). CFLO provides insight into managing his agency and DJs in the current market followed by a breakdown of the state of the nightlife industry, noting an upswing despite an overall 20% decrease in club spending (56:10). The episode continues with a comprehensive technical showcase of CFLO Inc’s software suite, specifically the file management utility Dupes (1:16:36), and the Goodbye Tunes app, which streamlines the migration from Apple Music to dedicated DJ libraries (1:27:52). Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion about ‘Vibe Coding’ and CFLO’s secret Shazam to Serato downloading tool (1:45:20).

Try 'Dupes" now: https://cfloinc.com/products/dupes?srsltid=AfmBOor-feQSk_Xhic3VMzfXfmY85hrHKr-5oGdWMZYL8zjoFCRH8eoB

Try Beatport for free: tinyurl.com/yc8da2pz

Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 383: JOE LOBEL "The UK’s Wordplay King & The Battle of Content vs. Craft"

In this episode of @ROADpodcast, the crew sits down with UK-based DJ and wordplay innovator @Joe.Lobel to unpack the complexities of building a career in the modern digital age. The conversation begins at (01:10) with Lobel’s journey from the UK to the US for his Memorial Day run, his perspective on the UK nightlife scene, and the process of securing a US work visa. The discussion shifts to how a "Hip Hop DJ" is defined in the UK before moving to the disconnect between viral social media success and actual ticket sales (09:10). Joe details his technical approach to video production, leading to a broader debate on whether modern DJs are prioritizing content creation over their core musical craft, a theme further explored regarding the rise of DJs with limited skills (21:30). The dialogue turns to the reality of creator burnout and the compulsion to film every moment, and the group reflects on the "perpetual machine" of social media and whether one can truly step away from it (33:00). Joe discusses his scheduling tactics and the risk of pigeonholing himself, followed by a conversation about his reputation for wordplay transitions and the challenge of moving beyond that specific niche (39:55). The episode continues with thoughts on managing copycats in the industry and a discussion on rebrand strategies and equipment (57:01). Finally, the episode concludes with a look at how tech companies are influencing the DJ party landscape with events like @playgrndseries (1:08:01).

Try Beatport for free: https://tinyurl.com/yc8da2pz

Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 382: MANNY MARROQUIN “The Famed Mixing Engineer Who Crafted Classics for Kanye, John Mayer and Alicia Keys”

The Road Podcast crew is in LA for the NAMM show and have a sit down with multi-Grammy Award-winning mixing engineer @MannyMarroquin whose career spans over two decades, defining the sonic landscape for artists like @KanyeWest, @AliciaKeys, and @JohnMayer. Manny joined the @ROADpodcast to break down the delicate balance between technical precision and emotional resonance in modern mixing. Starting with the core distinctions between engineers and producers, Manny explains his "emotion over technicality" philosophy (04:05) and the "Batman and Robin" approach to song structure (09:00). He provides an inside look at legendary sessions, discussing the ego free mindset required for 808s & Heartbreak (11:15), the "a-ha" moment of "Love Lockdown" (18:32), and the grueling 20-mix saga behind “Stronger." The conversation shifts to the synesthesia of sound, where Manny compares audio engineering to the brushstrokes of Renoir and Picasso (23:30), and explains his process of turning his chair away from the monitors to find objectivity. After diving into the mechanics of club records like "Let Me Love You" (35:50) and the future of music trends in 2026, he discusses the "less is more" choice for @JohnMayer’s "Gravity" (55:55). The episode concludes with his venture into the culinary world with @Verse.LA (1:13:01) and a reflective look at his journey from Guatemala (1:26:01).

Try Beatport for free: https://tinyurl.com/yc8da2pz

Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX