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!!

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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Episode 381: DJ CUTSO "The DNA of the Bay — From Banning Hyphy to DJ Mustard Adopting the Sound"

The legendary @Cutso joins the ROAD Podcast to break down the DNA of the Bay Area scene, the evolution of turntablism, and the reality of balancing a high-level DJ career with a corporate tech job. We dive into his viral "ROAD Talk" interview from NAMM 2026 (2:55), where he addresses the entitlement of new DJs and a social media culture that causes artists to focus on the wrong metrics. Cutso reflects on the "Relationship Economy" and why you cannot get booked without being in the room, while tracing his roots back to the 90s, and the "quick mixing" style that defined the Bay (8:23). He recounts the early influence of MC Hammer and the reverence for D-Styles mixtapes, comparing them to baseball trading cards for the Hip Hop community (13:55). The conversation shifts to the rise and fall of turntablism, exploring how the genre moved from MTV back to the underground before social media re-ignited interest in technical skills (19:42), alongside the divide between Jiggy and Backpack Hip Hop. We tackle the "Great Heist" of the Bay Area sound, debating how the "Mustard Era" effectively mainstreamed a signature NorCal aesthetic (40:35), and explore the @FrandalayBay connection that brought Hyphy to Vegas while it was still banned in Bay Area clubs (24:20). Cutso shares stories of being kicked out of booths for playing "Burn Rubber" (28:26) and provides a candid look at San Jose, from the "Crypto-House" scene to the economic crisis and tech layoffs impacting local venues. After discussing Hollywood's disconnect from LA culture, and Crooked’s infamous night at Club Wet (50:05), Cutso opens up about the "Dual Life" of juggling a corporate career with DJing (1:09:15), finding discipline through Kung Fu (1:19:01), and why open format DJs are built to survive shifting musical trends (1:48:24).

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Episode 380: DJ HABIBEATS: "The Palestinian Pioneer of Arabic Club Music"

In this episode of the ROAD podcast, the crew welcomes @DJHabibeats for a deep dive into his meteoric rise and the evolution of the global Arab club scene. The conversation begins with a recap of his recent milestones (1:45) and a look at his expanding international tour schedule, including his highly anticipated set at the @Coachella @TheDoLab. Habibeats addresses his infectious energy behind the decks and explains how he utilizes his open format roots to represent Arabic house music by drawing from a rich, worldwide musical heritage (13:50). As the market for Arab music parties grows, he discusses the healthy competition in the scene, the logistical challenges of touring, and the importance of prioritizing health and team building while on the road (21:01). The dialogue shifts toward the business of music as Habibeats talks about signing with a new agency and his creative process for tracks like "Hayati", while Crooked draws parallels between the sub-genres of Latin and Arabic music (32:20). The DJs get technical about their preference for playing tracks at +4 pitch, leading to a discussion on how music acts as a bridge between cultures in a divided world (37:15). Habibeats shares his philosophy on dealing with openers and how the "third culture" experience shaped the entire crew's upbringing (48:24). Later, they tackle "front row red flags" and the need for audiences to be present rather than just filming (55:01), before exploring the broken state of music distribution and how Gen Z interacts with new releases (1:00:01). The episode concludes with a look at his favorite producers (1:18:01), the value of saying "no" to protect his brand, and a hilarious story about a super-fan in Delhi, ending on a reflective note about using his platform to showcase his unique perspective (1:36:22).

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Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.2): "Epic B2Bs w/Bad Boy Bill + LA's Underground Rave Revival"

The Road Podcast crew is in LA for the NAMM show and sits down with LA-born and raised house/dance music legend Richard Vission. Part 2 picks up with @RichardVission reflecting on LA nightlife in the 2000s, from 60,000-person events to a Grammy nomination (05:44) and the rave era of “Together as One” with @PasqualeRotella. He talks about landing multiple number one Billboard remixes for artists like @Madonna and the backlash that came with it. He shares the story behind “I Like That,” the pop EDM wave, and working with @Britneyspears and @iamwill, before explaining why he stepped away during the EDM over saturation era and how house found its way back to the forefront (17:01). Richard breaks down his current production approach (31:55) and his House Issues partnership with @DJBadBoyBill, including their highly praised b2b set and the work behind it (1:42:00). He also discusses vinyl nights in LA (45:01) and the rise of invite only underground after hours reshaping the city’s nightlife (52:01). The episode closes with reflections on Power Tools (1:00:02) and the ROAD 10, where Richard names LA his favorite city to DJ and recalls playing the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 70,000 people as a career highlight (1:12:23).

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Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.1): "The Architect of L.A. Dance Culture"

The Road Podcast crew is in LA for the NAMM show and sits down with 1/2 of the duo #TheHouseConnection with @DJBadBoyBill, the Founder of the historic radio show @Powertools, LA-born and raised house/dance music legend, @RichardVission! The episode kicks off with Richard breaking down the early LA dance scene, starting with The Dome and The Arena (01:57), and how his first techno group, The Movement, led him to DJ Bad Boy Bill (04:10). He shares the backstory of Florentine Gardens and the infamous heist (07:12), then talks about his live mixes on Power 106, where late-night recordings turned into a movement (11:20). Richard explains how The Casa became the foundation of LA house, the moment freestyle faded while house took over the city (13:10), and the era of 15 DJs a night that helped shape LA’s fast-paced quick-mixing style (16:01). At just 16, Richard was already booking high school dances featuring The Cover Girls, World Class Wreckin' Cru, and Eazy‑E—events that generated serious money and earned the nickname “High School Coachella” (19:55). He also explains how he got the name Richard Vission (30:10) and reflects on early LA house records, including “House Music” by Eddie Amador, and how The Dome helped bring artists like Louie Vega, Armand Van Helden, and David Morales to Los Angeles.

The episode later shifts to radio, where a single 30-minute mixtape landed him on Power 106 (46:10). Richard recalls how his mix aired by accident, the phones immediately blowing up, and the mantra he still lives by: “The harder you work, the luckier you get” (51:50). Lastly, He closes by discussing creative freedom in radio and nightlife (58:55), his mixtape era with Bad Boy Bill and House Connection, and his first New York show alongside Erick Morillo (1:07:30).

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Episode 378: DJ ZIMMIE "Why DJs Need the 'Level Up' Conference?"

This week on @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Pittsburgh native, PioneerDJ/@AlphaThetaGlobal product planning team member, and founder of the @LevelUp4DJs Conference @DJZimmie! The crew discusses how having a camera operator during Club DJ Sets has now become mandatory, how that increases costs, and how it affects how much money a DJ can make (01:55). Crooked shares how @DJNugget saved him one night in Pittsburgh by taking a punch for him (05:01). Zimmie breaks down what “Level Up For DJs” has to offer (13:40) and speaks on a moving moment involving @Shortkut at the #LevelUp4DJs 2025 conference (21:50). The crew also talks about how they manage their presence on social media as DJs (40:40), Crooked speaks on the beauty of collaboration, building community, and social media exhaustion (53:01). The fellas reflect on their experience at NAMM 2026, as well as new @AlphaThetaUSA products being released this year (1:04:33). Optic asks Zimmie when Serato users will be able to have their library on a USB stick (1:18:01). Finally, Zimmie explains how the YouTube series “Pioneers of Hip Hop DJs” came to fruition (1:31:01).

Use Discount Code “ROADPODCAST” at checkout for up to $50 off your tickets to #LevelUp4DJs: https://levelup4djs.com/

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