Rasta Root in his ATL studio
Tell us about your favorite childhood object...
Well i really started playin' soccer when we moved to Spain. Because of our visa status, we were not able to leave Spain for vacation etc...unless it was for a trip to England to renew our status. So, I spent a lot of weekends and summers kickin' my soccer ball against the wall in front of our apartment building. Literally hours and hours.. it's actually how I developed my ball control and my focus, I think of three noises: me kickin' the ball, the ball hittin' the wall, then my foot trappin' the ball. It was very rythmic..almost like a drum pattern over and over. My ball was my instrument at the time......but it kept me sane all those days and summers...
How long have you lived in Atlanta and how did you end up here?
I have been here for 12 years. I moved here after spending three years in Japan. My family had moved form Maryland so I naturally followed..Plus the music scene was bubbling!
At what point did you realize music was something you wanted to pursue? I think it was when I was about to graduate from college and realized that a 9-5 wasn't for me..I decided that no matter I did, it would have to be something I loved to do.......and music was it..
Describe your sound. How did you get into playing that type of music? My sound is gritty...my dj style, although very finessed..is a very aggressive mix style.... I attack each mix progressively but the finesse of my mix, makes it easy on the ears.. I'm precise with everything when it comes to mixing or making beats...
Which music medium do you prefer to use and why? Vinyl? CD? MP3? In today's dj market, I prefer to use Mp3 via Serato (Scratchlive) because its cuttin' edge technology. I am, however, truly blessed to have learned to dj on Vinyl......
How do you discover new music? any secret resources you want to turn us onto? If i gave up my secrets they wouldn't be secrets anymore ;) ...let's just say I spend a lot of time on the web....music is everywhere, you just gotta know where to look...
Take us through your creative process. That's a tough question, my process is that I don't have a process. I do what I feel, when I feel it..It's all about a vibe for me...that means if I am not feeling music production., I may not make a beat for months...kinda picky about not forcing anything...
How would you say Southern culture/living in Atlanta has influenced your work?? It has helped me to understand what "southern" producers do. Music is so open and one can be so expressive through the sound. Even though I don't play a lot of southern sounding music...I still have respect for what is created..and how producers and musicians capture the voice of the hood while making it lucrative. Who/What are some of your inspirations? My family inspires me the most. For me, succeeding in life is based on the type of life I can provide for my parents, sister, and niece....It's built into my dna...being the best dj I can be inspires me. Taking my mix further... past people's expectation of my work does too.
Who are some of your favorite Atlanta artists? I am of course a Goodie Mob / Outkast fan. They define Atlanta music and creativity to me. I love the Stanza's, Señor Kaoses, Binkis, 4 Ize.....
Where is your favorite atlanta hang out? My fave local hangout is either Djangos or El Bar...MJQ is always fun...
What music/album are you currently listening to? I am listening to the Raekwon album, and my mix 'The Rest of Dilla Vol. 1'. I listen to it for critique and to figure out what I could have done better.
What is one thing you love about your life? I love the freedom to move and be creative without boundaries. I love that my hobby is a job that is a hobby.. I am very thankful for that.
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