DJ Slugo!
I discovered ghetto house music from purchasing and listening to your label Dance Mania’s excellent Hardcore Traxx and Ghetto House compilations. I couldn’t get the raunchy mantras out of my head! I searched online to learn more and found your DJ set at The Lot Radio station and had to ask if you’d do this interview. Thanks for agreeing!
You’re from Southside Chicago, and it was your cousin who taught you how to DJ in high school. What was the best advice you received from him as an up-and-comer that helped you become successful today?
Buy your own equipment.
You fine-tuned your beats by playing them for street dancers: you observed their cues and crafted the arrangements to fit their styles. Who were some of the most notable dancers that inspired you as a musician? Any memorable moments playing beats for dancers that stood out to you?
I was mostly inspired by groups like Phase 2, House O Matics, K Phi 9 & U Phi U.
Chicago juke was born from your and other Chicago musicians’ contributions to the ghetto house music genre. How does it feel to have your music inspire a new dance style in your neighborhood? Do you ever get angry phone calls from parents whose kids learned to juke? 🙂
Feels great and I never got those phone calls because most of the parents at one point was juking as well, LOL.
You’re constantly on the road touring and playing at different venues. How do you maintain the stamina to perform so frequently?
I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. Drink lots of water and take care of your body!!!
Now that you’re a ghetto house veteran and pioneer, how do you want folks to feel and think when looking back on that style of music?
I want people to know that the style we created was always for the people to dance and have fun to… That’s it, that’s all.
Have you seen ghetto house music evolve since its inception? Are there other styles that you feel have borrowed from some of the groundwork laid by you and your peers—like Deeon, Milton, Waxmaster, and Jammin’ Gerald?
Yes. I have definitely seen it evolve and I’m happy I have been able to live long enough to see it. And yes there are PLENTY other styles that have STOLEN our sound not borrowed. Borrowed is when you give the pioneers the credit for their work and we have yet to receive any of that!!!
I love the lyrics to your tracks. My personal favorite is “Where The Rats” on Dance Mania. I imagine it’s fun to sing these lyrics in the studio. Can you recall a time when you had the most fun making records in the studio or at home?
Yes. Making a few tracks at home and getting to put my daughters on them like the Cheers record.
Who are some artists active today (aside from yourself, of course) that you feel are making great ghetto house music and helping push the culture forward? Any recommendations for our audience to check out?
Yes, plenty of them… I say check them all out. I don’t want to mention any and forget any because those guys take that to heart being left out, LOL. Google Ghetto House Music and whoever pops up then you’ll know who’s really put in some real work for the culture.
Do you or any close friends have kids? What’s their take on you pioneering such a fun, risqué—to put it lightly—style of music?
Yes. Most of us have kids and they feel the same way I do. It’s on you as a parent to control what your kids listen to when they are little. But some of them gonna get a hold to the music in the schools or streets anyway so just hope and pray your kid is a leader and not a follower.
I listened to your track “Ghetto,” a collaboration with Nicholas Jaar. I’m curious—is there anybody else on your wishlist that you’d be interested in working with? Perhaps someone who folks wouldn’t necessarily expect a “ratchet dude” from Southside Chicago to connect with to make a song?
Yes. I wanna do a song with Teyana Taylor & Kelly Roland.
It seems like so many artists are feeling burnt out trying to make a living through music. What are your thoughts on trying to make a living today performing and creating music?
Don’t. You really gotta have another source of income because the payouts on music sucks.
What’s a notable memory from your time performing on the road?
Playing In Russia was an Epic time in my career for me.
Are you inspired by other styles of music? I’m curious whether you listen to anything from other music scenes that inspires you to rework those ideas into ghetto house music.
I listen to all genres because I love music.
You’re involved in teaching others about the history of ghetto house music and its pioneers—conducting online video interviews, performing across the world, and posting updates about peers’ releases. If there’s one thing you want folks to take away from ghetto house music as a cultural phenomenon and style, what would that be?
I just want people to love and respect what we do. Give us our flowers while we are alive!!!
Thanks for your time, DJ Slugo.