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.

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