THIS IS YOUR FREESTYLE BLAST #28
"In this issue of The Blast, we highlight the undervalued role of Freestyle DJs and suggest collaboration over competition, while exploring influences of Freestyle music overseas.
So what are we talking about this month? How about the importance of our Freestyle DJs? How they’re helping keep the genre alive, but don’t always get the recognition they deserve. Let’s also discuss how DJs are sometimes chosen for events, and what they should be focusing on if they want to expand.
Also, let’s take a trip overseas to see how Freestyle music has influenced fans outside of the United States. What’s up with neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico, and the interest in Freestyle in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia? How important are the overseas markets for Freestyle, and will they have any bearing on the future of the genre? Let’s get in there and find out!
As a booking agent, I’ve gotten many calls from Freestyle DJs, many of whom I personally know, as well as a few that I’ve never met. The call usually went a little something like this. “Latif, reach out to some of your promoters and see if you can get me to DJ some of those great Freestyle concerts you book!”
This request usually triggers a conversation that I’ve had many times before and one that I try and handle as delicately as I possibly can.
You see, I have a lot of respect for our Freestyle DJs. I feel that most are underrated, and unrecognized for their contributions to the music industry in general, and Freestyle music in particular.
Freestyle DJs play an important role in the continued success of our genre. When artists aren’t on stage performing, they’re the ones keeping the fans warm. Without Freestyle DJs still playing our music, both the new and the classic, I believe this genre would’ve gone kaput a long time ago.
I’ve met so many DJs over the years, and many of them have become great friends of mine. I love running into them while on the road, but also excited when I get to meet new ones.
If you notice, at every Freestyle event, whether it be a small one-hundred-capacity lounge or a huge concert arena, you will always find a DJ being featured. But who are these DJs, and how the hell did they get that gig?
Well, without mentioning the obvious, which of course is their talent, DJs are usually chosen for their expertise in their particular market. Freestyle DJs have been spinning for their audience for many years, so who knows their market better than they do, and therefore hiring them to DJ an event makes the most sense. Keep in mind also that many of these DJs might have come from, or are currently on radio. Traditional radio that is!
Another reason that a DJ might get hired in their market would be because of their followership, and nowadays with Social Media, figuring that out is pretty simple.
Having a decent amount of followers lets promoters know that the DJ may have some influence in the market, which in turn may bring more people to an event, exactly what the promoter wants.
But don’t try and be slick now by purchasing your likes and followers, because that trick is played out, and unless your engagements are in sync with the number of followers you have, no one will believe the hype and your reputation will undoubtedly turn to crap.
The third reason that a promoter would choose a particular DJ, would have to do with their relationship. They’ve been close friends for many years and the promoter would never consider another DJ without first offering it to his friend. This is another touchy issue and one that you can’t attack because that promoter might also be getting that much-needed friends and family discount.
So now that you understand these scenarios a little better, how can you as a Freestyle DJ work more of your own market, or better yet, break into others?
Well, my advice would be to shut down the DJ equipment for a minute and pull out the notepad. Research all those Freestyle events you see popping off around the country, taking note of what cities and states they’re happening, along with what DJs are being featured.
Choose one market that you’d like to try and get into first, one closest to where you currently play would be your best option. For example, if you currently play Chicago, check out Detroit or Indiana. Follow and friend working DJs from those areas, reach out and introduce yourself. Maybe that DJ would like to play your market, a perfect situation for the two of you. But don’t try and rush it, you’ve got work to do, time to put in, and dues to pay, so don’t try and cut any corners!
Don’t be too concerned about competition in your market. If you are, then that just means you need to step up your game. The more DJs we have working, the more relevant they help make the music and that type of interest is what we need to produce more events which in turn will create more opportunities for us all.
Below I placed a bunch of links to Freestyle DJs, so go and click on each of their links, friend, and follow them. See where they're from and what events they’re working. And if they’re in a market you’d like to play, send them a message and let them know. In fact, tell’em Latif sent you!
To all the Freestyle DJs linked below, thank you for all you do, and if I missed you, I apologize, so please add yourself in the comment section below, and I hope to see you at the next Freestyle event.
DJ Wonder Rican, Fernando HotMix Hernandez, Tim Spinnin' Schommer, DJ LeBron, Richard Ace Ascencio, Dj Sama, Frankie Cutlass, Frankie Soto, Joe Trigiani, Gino Rockin Romo, David Alvarado, Dea Jay Racer, Julian Jumpin Perez, DJ Storytime, Noel Plaza, Jose Diaz, Djwiz C Machado, DjBori Cua, Peter Serrano, Flavio Nunes, Damon Cain, Jon Grnca, Francesco Petras, David Djflaco Garcia, Dj Flaco Flash, Ernie G Gonzalez, Yuyo Mc, Speedi Gonzales, Cozmo Swafford, Harry Hernandez, Carlos Rueda, The Bad Boy Richie Rich, West Nickrand, Sean Jung, Luis Ivan Moreno, Jose Diaz, Jose Galvan, Donnie Donnie Battle Senna, Jose Diaz, Dj Dizzy 951, Tonee DMitrie Chavez, David Madrid, Freddie Frederick Jr., Dj Mellowboy, DJ DOC, Shaun Jones, Armando M Gomez Jr., Jose Otero, Pablo Djchino Rodriguez, David Rojas, Carlos Djmixx Gonzalez, Jason J-Chill Grant, DJ-Dominick Lauriano, Mickey Mixin Oliver,
As a loyal follower of the Freestyle Music genre, you are well aware of its continued success throughout the United States, as Freestyle club and concert events can be seen popping up everywhere from Miami to Modesto. But what about outside of the United States?
Well, the answer is absolutely! Freestyle Music is still very much relevant outside of the U.S.
Let’s begin with a couple of my own personal experiences, and though they aren’t exactly overseas, they are outside the U.S. The first one would have to be Canada. Toronto to be a bit more specific, though markets like Montreal and London, Canada have also welcomed us on several occasions.
Canada was a regular run during my early Lil’ Suzy days, and up to now she is still one of, if not the Most requested Freestyle artist in that country.
Mexico, was also a hotspot back in the day, with my first run being a small tour that ran from Guadalajara to Monterey with of course Lil’ Suzy, Robin S, Coro, Two In A Room, KWS, Downtown Julie Brown, and a few others.
The events we did there were amazing, and so many fans showed up. Thinking back now, that was probably the biggest audience that I had done during those days, seemed like the whole country pulled up.
Tijuana, Mexico was another frequent stop for us, mostly when we were doing shows in California and were able to grab a show or two across the border.
But don’t think those were the only places that showed interest in Lil’ Suzy. Calls from Brazil, Columbia, Bolivia, Germany, and others were pretty regular, but due to her being so young at the time and the fact that we had no solid relationships in those countries, we decided that it would be best to stay back, and maybe revisit the opportunity later on.
Now as for The Cover Girls, before I was involved, they toured overseas pretty extensively. Performing in countries such as the Dominican Republic, much of Europe, and of course, Japan where they also got to perform at the world-famous Tokyo Music Festival.
Today it seems as though the overseas markets are opening their arms to Freestyle once again, particularly in Brazil, and I would have to of course credit Stevie B for being the reason behind that.
Since then, other promoters have been coming out of the woodwork, hoping to capitalize on what he had already started.
So, how important are those markets to Freestyle? Are they just cool places for us to visit and perform, or does it have a direct impact in anyway on our genre? Definitely, the latter!
American music, particularly genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and in our case, Freestyle, has often enjoyed widespread admiration and influence in overseas markets. Many international audiences look to the United States as a trendsetter in music, often embracing American artists and styles.
Even when certain artists are no longer relevant in the States, many of them maintain their popularity overseas.
American music serves also as a sort of cultural exchange, allowing overseas fans a portal into American culture.
Back in the day, some of the bigger record labels were able to reach those overseas audiences, get their artists on those international charts, and in turn stir up a demand that would sell out concerts around the world.
As access to global music increases through streaming platforms and social media, audiences in overseas markets can now explore music from a broader range of cultures. And music that might be considered old to us, may be accepted as brand new to them.
It's important for us to not overlook the potential of our international markets, and for any artist presented with the chance to perform their music abroad, my advice is simple: Go do it!
Grab your copy of Shannon’s 40th Anniversary release of Let The Music Play, now!
Erin Amilibia Duclos, Byron Smith, George Godfrey, Felisa Faulkner, Tyrone El Malo Diaz, Reggie Pierre, Tio Ricardo Soto, Robert Schiulaz, Djmellomikehype D Wheeler, Alby Jimenez, Russell R Charles, Vito Cafagna, Gary Sipich, Stella Lopez, John Wick, Curtis Nevarez, Joe-Danté White, David Rivera, Wesley Harvey, Victor Velez, Vee Gee, Karen Mojica, Jose Acevedo, Valente Paiz, Alex Gomez, Michelle Acevedo, Juan Kato
To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsors, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him here @LatifMercado
These articles get better and better.
I love that freestyle is being embraced outside the US and Canada. Let's spread it around the world!