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DJ NINO BROWN INTERVIEW


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Australia’s Number One Urban DJ, Nino Brown, is conquering the music world. Widely regarded, and respected as a true master of the turntable, with numerous accolades planted firmly under his belt, this hip-hop star continues to prove that he’s earned his place in the ranks of Australia’s finest DJs and radio personalities. Over the past fifteen years he has entertained the listening masses across four continents, but with special detail at home in Australia. He has a loyal fan base and travels interstate weekly to satisfy the demand. His phenomenal live shows pull in up to 3,000 punters per week.

DJ Nino Brown is sponsored by brands including Joker Clothing, Rane, Serato Scratch Live, UDG DJ Bags and Ortofon, and in his long career, he has supported and performed with so many top urban artists it almost reads like a greatest hits album Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Gangstarr, P Diddy, Naughty by Nature, Fatman Scoop, Cypress Hill, Bones Thugs & Harmony, 112, Phrase, Ken Hell, Smashproof, Tyree, Young Sid, and many more.

Whether you love him for his performances, DJ skills, radio show, or just appreciate a true master of the turntable, it cannot be denied that Brown is already a legend in the music industry. His professionalism and skill behind the wheels of steel is unmatchable and his diligent and quality work continues to astonish everyone who crosses his path.

What are your earliest memories of music?
I spent all my life growing up in Sydney, but when I was 8 my parents & I loved to Tasmania for 2 years, and while we were there, I remember these long ass drives everywhere, and my parents playing music in the car, they were into all kinds of stuff

What first got you into DJing?
When I mived back to Sydney at about 12 years old, I was in my second year of high school and Public Enemy was big, with the “Takes A Nation Of Millions” album out, and I loved it. I thought Terminator X was theman, and wanted to be him, I even had the flat top…

Who were your musical influences growing up?
Hip Hop was huge at my school, so from about 12 years old it was Public Enemy, LL Cool, Kool Moe Dee, Run DMC and Beastie Boys.

What was your first big break as a DJ?
Doing mixtapes before I was spinning in clubs was good, cause it ment I had a little bit of name recognition, once I was in the clubs, I was doing the 2-5am spot at ” Chocolate City”, and when the 12-2am DJ quit & moved from Sydney, I got that spot, which gave me more spotlight, and during that time I came second at the NSW DMC finals, which showed people I could get down on the turntables, and around that time I got to open up for Snoop Dogg at the Enmore theatre, so all these things helped, they let to national gigs, while still doing mixtapes, and the whole time I was pushing labels for a mix album deal, first Jive, then Sony & eventually made it happen with Universal & started the Blazin’ series

When did you realise you could make DJing a career?
I never really did, until recent years, and thats why I think I have had some success, I was really just passionate about it, people say things to me like “Oh you’re great at promoting yourself “, I never once thought about that, I was always like well I’ve made this mixtape (for example) for people to enjoy, how can I make people hear it, there’s no point doing it for the 4 dudes who roll in your car only (which I did many times hahaha)

You have been releasing the Blazin’ mixtape series for over a decade describe the process in making each CD is it any different from the previous one you put out?
The process is the same, originally the concept was to have disc 1 club Hip Hop & r&B, and disc 2 more underground, but as time passed we saw these markets start to drift apart and become bigger in their own right, so dics 2 became Hip Hop based but not as underground as originally planned, more cool album cuts & mix tape tracks from similar artists to disc 1,

What are some of the challenges you face in making a Blazin’ mix?
Getting clearances is the biggest challenge,

What are your thoughts on the current local Hip Hop/R&B scene and how far it has come from when you first started out?
Its getting way bigger and there are more professional artists out now (meaning they make music and perform for a living with no “day job”), there is a healthy underground scene, and even “mainstream” Hip Hop artists like Hilltop Hoods & 360.

Having DJ’d across Australia for a number of years where are your favourite places to play and are there any noticeable differences between cities?
Gilligans in Cairns is my favourite gig, all cities are different & the touring has helped me to read crowds really well, A lot of mining towns are wild & party hard, with the internet now most people are up on the music they like

You have recently started branching out into original production and remixes as Bodega Bullies with Sydney producer One. Is this something we will be seeing more of?
Yes, we’ve been doing a lot of music, last year we did a remix for Timomatic ( If Looks Can Kill ), and Justice Crew ( Boom Boom ) , both were platinum singles, and we have done tracks for Kerser, Termanology & recently started a mixtape series, “Bodega Bullies x” first was Bodega Bullies x Matuse and now we’re working on Bodega Bullies X Sky’ High. I’m planning a single for late this year, One is a beast on the beats, and we’re working on some placements for some of his joints, I’ve got a few of my tracks on the Sky’High project that I’m excited about.

What makes a good mixtape?
That’s personal preference, for me a like a good mix of music and DJ ability

What are your 5 favourite mixtapes of all time?
That’s pretty hard , when it comes to mixtapes I like DJ Revolution, Spinbad, Kenny Dope, Naiki, Samrai, Peter Gunz, I like a lot of mix tapes, I’m terrible with “top 5 or 10s”. DJ Riz definitely makes top 3 always though he’s a beast

What are the best and worst things about being a DJ?
Definitely the hoes…. nah seriously, I wake up every day and feel very blessed that I can make a living from what my passion is, that’s why I give it 110% daily, if you know me, then you know I work EVERY day, I dont go online & preach to the world what I’m doing all the time, as I dont have time hahaha

What attributes must someone have to call themselves a DJ?
The term “DJ” has changed a lot since I first started, for me , you need to be able to mix and rock a party, and have a decent knowledge of music and it really shows when a DJ loves music, I think you can tell.

Which DJ’s do you like listening to?
So many, Ca$h Money, Jazzy Jeff, Scratch, Kid Capri, Revolution, DJ Riz, Naiki, Peter Gunz, Samrai, Shortee Blitz, anyone who has their own personality on the turntables

What’s the best piece of advice ever given to you?
I’ve been lucky where I have met a lot of legends who have given me a lot of good advice, but basically stay humble.

What has been your career highlight so far?
The Supafest tours have been incredible, to be on the road with over 120 people, where we took up most if not all the planes we were on, walking through business class seeing Akon, Snoop, Busta, Fat Joe etc was insane

What is the secret to your success?
Who said I was successful ? I’m just trying to do me, be the best DJ I can be, do the best show I can do, do the best album & can do, and so far people like it..

What does the future hold for Nino Brown?
I hope big things!

What’s your definition of Grindin’?
Working hard, shutting the fuck up and just making it happen no matter the obstacle

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