M.I.S.S. Playlist: A Valentine's Day Mix (Pro-Love Edition)

Your Name: Valerie
Name of the Playlist: A Valentine’s Day Mix (Pro-Love)
Genre: Ambient, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, & Pop
Mood: Loving love

Playlist Inspiration: Weeks of dating, late night phone conversations, heart racing, butterflies, cupcakes, smiles, special dedications, and flowers.  Could this be? I’m ready to step in the name of love.  Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Tracklist:

1. AFTA-1 & Cazeaux Oslo – M.M.J.S. (A Sweaterless Suite) – Phase 2 – P.Y.T.

2. Jean Grae: Love Thirst

3.  DJ Day x Miles Bonney: Still Miles

4.  Dwele:  Kick Out of You

5. Mary J. Blige: I’m In Love

6.  9th Wonder:  Can’t Get Enough of Your Love

7.  Tabi Bonney: You

8.  Zhane’: Sending My Love

9.   A Tribe Called Quest:  Bonita Applebum (Hootie Mix)

10.  Ryan Leslie: Valentine

Women Making History: DJ Ultraviolet (photo by Nakeya Brown)

Harlem, NY native/Allentown and Philadelphia, PA—DJ Ultraviolet has been rockin’ parties in Philly, New York and overseas since 2002.

DJ Ultraviolet has a vast knowledge of music, unequaled turntablism skills & an electric personality. All these elements help her maintain a spot as on of the most coveted DJs on the East Coast. Her expertise as a party promoter has helped her bring iconic Hip Hop figures to Philadelphia. She has shared the decks with DJ Scratch, 9th Wonder, Questlove, Jean Grae, Spinderella, Large Professor, Rich Medina and Q-Tip to name a few. Some of these names have rocked at her trendsetting parties Living Legends and Ladies Love Hip Hop with Monie Love. She also serves as DJ for the illustrious wordsmith, Ethel Cee.

Ultraviolet has backed friends such as Reef The Lost Cauze, Fel Sweetenberg, Dave Ghetto and Bahamadia. She has recently been appointed a Philadelphia Super Delegate to 9th Wonder’s True School movement and she has also collaborated with famed DJ crew Illvibe Collective, promoter/artist Stacey Wilson and Pose 2 & Stef Tataz for the annual BBoy BBQ.

As of recent, UV has started a digital record label called Bee Eater records and has signed Fel Sweetenberg, Hustle Simmons and Ethel Cee for their next projects.

We get familiar with DJ Ultraviolet via the M.I.S.S. survey

Let’s jump into a Q&A sesh’ with the talented, Ultraviolet:

M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

Well…besides my mom? I’d say any women that don’t take sh*t from anyone and carry on..the ones who know and show that they are doing it better then anyone thought they would..and the ones that don’t think about being a woman…kinda like my moms.

M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start?

As far as djing, I got my 1st gig early 2000. My homegirl Stef Tataz was throwing a Nina Simone tribute with Too Fly, Mecca and a whole slew of dope artist and she asked me to DJ. I did the after party as well. The owner of the venue (RIP La Tazza) really liked the music and asked me to come back and Ladies Love Hip Hop was born. As far as my label, a friend of mine in the biz suggested that I should start a label because of the realtionships I had with the emcees, DJs and tastemakers in the city.

M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on?

Hmmmm…not any particular project as far as music because all my artist are sick! lol, my favorite event that I’ve done has been Living Legends. The concept of the party was to feature legendary DJs. I was able to work with DJs Cash Money, Spinderella, Scratch (EPMD) and Large Pro. All of which were dope to rock with.

DJ Ultraviolet with a few of her favorite things...(photo by Nakeya Brown)

M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with?

I can’t say there’s a particular person but I can say I like working with people that are progressive thinkers…I like real people. I work with some of the realest people ever and by that I mean, we do biz together but we all know our faults and weakness’ which makes life a bit easier. I want to work with people that believe in Bee Eater as much as I do and of course, are tryin’ to make $$$!

M.I.S.S.: What part of djing/party promoting/running a label is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

Doing all those things can be more stressful than challenging. Its like any other job where you have to deal with multiple personalities, people being late or not meeting deadlines, faulty equipment, and cheap club owners. On a positive note though, I can say what I want, wear what I want, don’t have to answer to anyone but myself and my artist. I have built great relationships over the years with some amazing people AND my office is mobile.

M.I.S.S.:  Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career path similar to yours?

Don’t listen to anyone you don’t respect. People always have their own opinions and everyone thinks they’re right in their own minds. Always say what you feel even if you think it might sound mean or someone will think your a b*tch/hater. Everything you do reps you so you can’t come half as* and build an early rep as a BSer and of course, Good Luck!

Click here to view a video slide show of a showcase by DJ Ultraviolet’s Bee Eater Records!

Stay up with DJ Ultraviolet and Bee Eater Records:
www.beeeaterrecords.com
www.myspace.com/djultraviolet
www.twitter.com/djultraviolet79

M.I.S.S. in the Mix: Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

D.C. area rapper Wale is causing a commotion with the recent release of his 5th mixtape, presented this time by clothing company LRG. The mixtape, called Back to the Feature, contains production by 9th Wonder (albeit not entirely; there are some cuts produced by Mark Ronson, Cool + Dre, and others) and was mixed by Nick Catchdubs. The graphic on the cover is a reference to the Michael J. Fox movie Back to the Future, and the tracks are peppered with guest appearances like Lady Gaga, Talib Kweli, Peter, Bjorn, + John, female emcee Jean Grae, and Black Thought of the Roots, just to name a few.

Tracklisting for Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

The mixtape comes as a surprise to most of Wale’s fans, as they were expecting his next release to be his debut studio album (tentatively named Attention Deficit) under the tutelage of Mark Ronson for Allido/Interscope Records. There was some label confusion last May when news broke that Wale entered into a new agreement with Roc Nation, which is the record label, management and music publishing company founded by Jay-Z. Wale was even spotted wearing a Rocafella chain. Turns out, According to the rapper’s manager Dan Weisman (via Allhiphop.com), Wale is MANAGED by Roc Nation and his company Elitaste, but is SIGNED (AKA has a recording contract) with Allido/Interscope. I don’t know how that works, but it seems like it could either be a licensing/branding nightmare, or an ingenious construction of royalty loopholes by Wale. Oh, and the chain belonged to a dude named Young Chris, Wale’s friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Young Chris, Wale's friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Click on the following link for a free download of Wale & 9th Wonder: Back to the Feature, courtesy of Wale. If the link expires, please visit www.walemusic.com for another download link.