DJ Emskee has been keeping listeners of Brooklyn Radio in the real with his Controlled Substance hip-hop show since we started this ridiculous venture. Having taken a break from the DJ game for a bit, 2010 will see Em becoming more eclectic on his show here, as well as keeping with his roots on the forever running Underground Railroad on WBAI, and growing his own production skills. As an MC with a lot on his mind, you can bet he has some interesting things to say about the last decade.

On the morning of 9/11 I was...

Sleeping soundly but awakened by the shrieking, frantic voice of my wife on the answering machine telling me to wake up and turn on the television because the World Trade Center just got hit. I used to be able to see the top 1/2 of them from my bedroom window on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Seeing black smoke bellowing from them and then taking in all the rest that happened in utter disbelief, I turned to what always brings my emotions together in crazy times...my records. I made a mixtape on the spot called "I Trade The World," which has recently been copied and minimally circulated around the city, getting some high praise for the selections. As anybody would say...I'll never, ever forget the events of that day.    
 
 
10 years! Some of the worst things about them were...

The creation of the computerized DJ programs. To me, the gadgets of the day have helped in many ways, but they've also opened the door for people who should stick to other hobbies and who indirectly take gigs away from blood, sweat, and tears dudes in the DJ game who REALLY know what they're doing...and serious collectors. I'm not talking about the serious and experienced dudes who use Serato and other software. I'm speaking on those worldwide who have clogged the game up with RELYING on computers and such who never LEARNED to spin and in the process helped to close record stores and dissolve other aspects of DJ culture. The other thing is the iPhone. Is there really a need for all that shit on a phone?? We went from Giuliani to Bloomberg.. TWICE.  Lastly, the sad closing of the legendary Black Betty for reasons of greed and backstabbing by the landlord. [Ed Note - We luckily saved some live recordings of Em's sets there. We'll be posting them up starting this week on Controlled Substance]
 
 
Some of the best...

Can't say that there were ALOT of great moments for me over the last 10 years. I did get to start my "Controlled Substance" show here on Brooklyn Radio to expose the hip-hop that everyone said was dead. Big up to Dan Martino for putting up with my non-computer literate skills and long hiatus of not submitting mixes due to being pre-occupied with bigger things. I released 3 albums in Japan and a slew of other guest appearances and singles overseas. It's always been a struggle to gain an inch in this crazy music business. I did get married to the most amazing woman in 2005, too. THAT'S special!!
 
 
And there was nothing like the party at...

Your mom's house with me, her, and her best friend in the basement in the summer of '06. Shit, now my wife's gonna know. [Ed. Note - Mom jokes will not die this coming decade. Ever really. Like war, it's futile to ever see an end to them.]

What does it mean to be a DJ in 2010, when technology has made music so available and accessible to everyone?

A DJ in 2010 has more music options immediately available and can play their own remixes and such as well as not having to carry loads of records to play. Like i said earlier, because of the easy accessibility of these dj software programs, everybody can basically collect mp3s and become a "DJ" over night, which is a gift but a hard curse at the same time. Traveling abroad with extra baggage.  
 
 
Speaking of 2010: This decade I plan to...?

Step from behind the mic as a hip-hop artist, radio show host and become involved in the production process. I'm in school at the moment learning all about the mixing board, sound waves, frequencies, and deep shit like that. Hopefully after I finish in April, I can make MY mark out here in NYC and abroad.

In 2010, we hope DJ Emskee will bring sleigh bells back into hip-hop production. Shout to Pete Rock!