Alix “HDMI The Engineer” Dontfraid is a multi-platinum (10×+) Chief Executive Engineer, vocal producer, DJ, and studio architect whose fingerprints are all over independent hip-hop culture—from Queens, New York to Los Angeles, Tampa, and beyond.

Formerly known as DJMI and DJ Blix, HDMI’s journey began on turntables and evolved into building some of the most respected recording spaces in the country. He gained early notoriety in Florida after recording the hit single “Miss All The Way Live,” a chart-climbing record that cemented its place alongside Florida legends like Uncle Luke.

With nearly two decades in the booth, HDMI has worked with a heavyweight roster including Gucci Mane, French Montana, Mariah The Scientist, Dave East, Jadakiss, Remy Ma, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, and more. He is the Chief Executive Engineer and Vocal Producer of Signature Soundz Studios, the largest studio in Queens history, hand-built from the ground up with acoustics and workflow designed around his signature sound.

Over the years, HDMI has built professional studios in New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, and Tijuana, Mexico, each reflecting the same precision, culture, and creative energy that define his engineering philosophy. His roots also run deep in Los Angeles, where he collaborated with Ralphie The Plug and producers like F Beats, expanding his sonic reach coast to coast.

Now based in Tampa, HDMI’s name carries real weight across the Florida music scene—having worked with nearly every major artist in the city, from Tampa Tony and Tay Bae to Tom G, Rated R, and beyond. Among his credits is recording H.A.Y.C.H, founder of Tampa’s longest-running open mic The Cypher at Crowbar, who now leads the city’s largest festival, Seven Days Loud on 7th.

This episode dives deep into building studios from scratch, engineering philosophy vs. trends, surviving the music industry without selling your soul, turning setbacks into skill, and why independent culture matters now more than ever.HDMI isn’t just part of the culture—he is the culture.

🎧 Live Struggle Legacy PodcastTurning struggle into legacy—one story at a time.TAGS /

#LiveStruggleLegacy #HDMITheEngineer #MusicEngineering #HipHopCulture #IndependentArtists #StudioLife #QueensToTampa #SoundDesign #ProducerLife #LegacyBuilding

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Tommy FN Moon (aka “The Musical Asshole”) joins the Live Struggle Legacy Podcast to talk parody songwriting, viral momentum, and turning comedy into a real music lane.

We get into writing funny songs that actually hit, releasing instead of chasing perfection, performing, gigging, and how creators can build consistency without losing authenticity.

If you’re an artist, comedian, or creator trying to grow without selling out, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Live Struggle Legacy Podcast — Season 3, Episode 23

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In this episode, we sit down with Cristina Vargas, a St. Petersburg native whose journey into entrepreneurship didn’t follow a traditional path.

Cristina grew up shy, quiet, and more curious than academic—never quite fitting into the “book smart” mold. Instead of chasing a single lifelong dream, she explored ideas, experiences, and business ventures, many of which didn’t stick because her heart wasn’t fully in them.

Everything changed in 2023 when she launched FiestaPix360, now known as The Booth Maven. What began as a fun side hustle quickly turned into something deeper. Through her first few events, Cristina discovered a passion for creativity, connection, and the energy of live experiences—realizing that business can be both meaningful and fun.

In this conversation, Cristina opens up about:

• Growing up sheltered and shy

• Letting go of “traditional success” narratives

• Finding alignment through trial and error

• Building resilience through entrepreneurship

• Developing an abundance mindset in business and life

• Turning a simple idea into a brand she’s proud to grow

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt unsure of their path, bored with what didn’t fit, or curious about building something that actually feels aligned.

🔗 Connect with Cristina / The Booth Maven:

Website: http://www.theboothmaven.com

Instagram: @theboothmaven

Facebook: @theboothmaven

YouTube: @theboothmaven

🎧 Tune in and tap into the power of trusting your curiosity.

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In this episode of Live Struggle Legacy, we sit down with Kalumra (Audrey Basar), a sound artist, frequency healer, and visionary working with music as a living, embodied process.

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Billy Skinner isn’t just a guest — he’s my childhood friend.

We grew up together. Life pulled us in different directions.

Billy fell deep into addiction and homelessness, while I ended up in prison.

For years, we lost touch — two lives running parallel through struggle.

When I came home, Billy was just beginning his sobriety journey.

In this raw and honest conversation, we reconnect to unpack everything that happened in between — addiction, the streets, faith, fatherhood, and the long road back to self-worth. Billy shares how getting sober forced him to confront himself and how that inner work eventually led to the creation of Retail Redemption Clothing Co.

Retail Redemption is more than streetwear. It’s a reflection of survival, accountability, and choosing growth over destruction — built from the block and made for the people.

This episode is about time, forgiveness, and what redemption actually looks like when you live long enough to earn it.

👇 Support Billy & Retail Redemption

📲 Instagram: @retailretributionclothing

🧢 Street & authentic apparel

👉 Follow the brand. Support the journey. Join the movement.

🎧 Watch & listen on all platforms

🔗 Link in bio for the full episode

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Dominic Leporati shares his evolution from child actor to published author, discussing the realities of writing books, self-publishing on Amazon, and building a creative life rooted in purpose and fatherhood. This episode explores storytelling, rejection, modern writing tools, and the responsibility of legacy.

📚 Explore Dominic Leporati’s book on Amazon:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0944V1ZDK

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In this episode, MP Paul sits down with PsLums, a raw and resilient hip-hop artist whose life story mirrors the bars he spits. Born in Dorchester and now repping St. Pete/Tampa, PsLums turned years in prison into a comeback story powered by music, discipline, and purpose.

As the CEO of Slumshot Entertainment, PsLums has been steadily building his own lane as an independent artist. He’s been featured multiple times on WorldStarHipHop, sat down on Cam Capone News, appeared on Bounce Back Podcast, and has collaborated with legends like Big Noyd and Havoc of Mobb Deep on the track RoundTables. He’s also shared stages with Mobb Deep, proving he can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with icons.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Dorchester roots & Boston’s music culture

• Surviving prison and reinventing himself

• Why St. Pete/Tampa pushed his artistry further

• Working with Mobb Deep & the real behind-the-scenes

• Building Slumshot Entertainment from scratch

• The advice he has for artists fighting for a chance

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about street survival, redemption, and carving a legacy through creativity.

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Crunkcoco doesn’t chase attention — he is the attention.

In this episode, MP sits with one of St. Pete’s most recognizable personalities, a creator whose presence, vibe, and originality have carried him further than words ever could.

This isn’t an interview full of long stories or hour-long breakdowns.

It’s a moment to honor who Crunkcoco is at his core:

• A Florida original

• A born entertainer

• A creator with unmatched energy

• A personality who shaped a whole era of online culture

• A man whose individuality speaks louder than any monologue

Sometimes the most authentic episodes aren’t the ones packed with dialogue—

they’re the ones where the person simply shows up as themselves.

This episode is exactly that.

🔥 New episodes every Thursday

Follow @LiveStruggleLegacy for more real stories & real creators.

#LiveStruggleLegacy #Crunkcoco #StPete #FloridaCreators #Authenticity #BornOnTheDancefloor #Originality #VibeCreator #MichaelMPPaul

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Justin Haynes — known worldwide as RPG, The Rappin’ Grandpa — went from addiction, prison, and absolute rock bottom to becoming a viral hip-hop artist, award-winning producer, author, and mentor to the next generation.

His life reads like a movie:

• Growing up between Chicago and rural Virginia

• Losing everything to addiction

• Surviving violence inside a South Carolina prison

• Walking out of jail in 2013 with only 75 cents

• Rebuilding his life from scratch

• Finding recovery, love, and purpose

• Stepping into a celebrity boxing ring

• Becoming one of the top sales reps in the Southeast

• And finally going viral as The Rappin’ Grandpa, inspiring millions across the world

From losing his family to fighting for it…

From smoking crack to motivating kids nationwide…

From selling candy at 12 to selling out shows at 50…

Justin Haynes shows what redemption really looks like.

Today, RPG uses his platform to:

✔ Help young people avoid drugs

✔ Mentor independent artists

✔ Perform benefit concerts

✔ Raise awareness about recovery

✔ Spread a message of perseverance and second chances

This is the essence of Live Struggle Legacy.

📘 Justin’s upcoming book: From Homeless to HipHop (Barnes & Noble + Amazon)

🎵 RPG Music: YouTube / Spotify / Apple Music

📩 Booking & Sponsorship: [email protected]

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In just nine years, DJ Donnie Luv has evolved into one of Florida’s most innovative music curators — a true pioneer of soul-infused sound, raw emotion, and community-driven creativity.

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Donnie’s love for music began early. Inspired by powerful female icons like Missy Elliott, she started freestyling and ghostwriting for local artists throughout her youth.

Everything changed in 2013 when she discovered her natural gift for blending records. After buying her first mixing board, Donnie transitioned from aspiring songwriter to DJ — and her entire career took off.

Influenced by the groove and soul of D’Angelo, J Dilla, and Anita Baker, Donnie developed a unique ear. From flipping soul samples to blending old and new, she stamped herself as a tastemaker of energy, vibe, and authenticity.

On January 1st, 2014, she performed her first club set — a night that immediately earned her the respect of her city and established her as a premier party starter. Soon after, she was tapped for an unexpected opportunity: interviewing platinum-selling southern hip-hop legend Lil Boosie for Burg Life Radio. This moment showcased her versatility and sparked a new level of momentum.

In 2015, Donnie launched Slugged Sounds, her Florida-born take on the chopped & screwed sub-genre. Inspired by DJ Screw but powered by Donnie’s signature flavor, Slugged Sounds connects music lovers across the world through nostalgic, soulful, pitch-down mixes and curated experiences. She’s collaborated with Jerry Nova, BTMVLE Jotta, Renald Bart, SOAP Zac, and more.

Her momentum didn’t stop. That fall, DOPE Entertainment — founders of Rolling Loud — booked her for a Robb Banks show, further solidifying her status as one of Florida’s smoothest and most innovative DJs.

Today, DJ Donnie Luv has:

🎧 Over 500,000 streams across slugged & chopped mixes

📻 Mixed on radio stations including 99 Jamz The Burg & Power Plug Radio

🌐 Built Slugged Sounds into a global fan hub

🎉 Created 727 Day, the official annual celebration of her city

This episode dives into her journey, her struggles, her evolution, and the legacy she’s building from St. Pete to the world.

Keep up with DJ Donnie Luv & Slugged Sounds:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/djdonnieluv/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sluggsounds/

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