The Plug!!

With the approach of one of our most anticipated issues, I find myself in edit mode. With that being said, I'm going to give a big shoutout to all the DJ features from the past issues of Mprinted Online and n'Rotation Magazine issues. To the artist who is trying to get to the DJ everyone is talking about, here's the inside scoop. Artists ask me all the time, "What's the deal with n'Rotation?" We're about networking. Not the type of networking where you just lay your CDs and post cards down and hope that a true music lover will pick it up or go and search the net for your social media pages. We like to keep the momentum that's started by DJ mixers and tastemakers like VirDiKO or as my friends over at Southern Fried Marketing like to say #ConnectTheDots. Feel free to visit all of our past magazines on Issuu. Our upcoming issue will be available on on all mobile devices and through 4 smartphone apps. Oh did I mention it's free. So let's just call this blog entry, "The Plug!"

Our first DJ issue "Go DJ," was released 5 years ago. DJs: Merk, Wylout, Spark, Kaiser Soze, Radio Raheem, EEAAZZEE, Big Juice, Raj Smoove, and Jeff da Illest discussed the politics of their music career and we talked about a little known YouTube sensation Black Jesus. Most of all the interviews put a new voice to the DJ. 

Between the Go DJ issue and the "Fem DJ Revolution," Mprinted Online continued with promoting independent entertainment and entertainers. Our all female issue featured the She DJs: Teaze, Night Nurse, Sheka Booker, Nikki Nicole, Passion, Dirty Rae, and C-Wade. Also featured was the versatile style of DJ TNA. This issue wasn't only about the lady's on the 1s & 2s but, we dedicated the issue to breast cancer survivors and domestic violence awareness month. These ladies are not only talented, they shared their stories of inequality, and the triumphs over the stereotypes. We set out to shoot down the myths of female DJ skills. 

The Hard on The Yard issue was technically our second DJ gridiron classic. The HBCUs and their respective DJs showed how they truly were the gateway to the fun part of going off to get an education. Most of our College DJs hooked up the turntables at least 4 nights a week. Some of our future leaders in the world have had the privilege of partying with DJs: Marvel, Nae D, Newport, Blazin, Star, Touch Basis, Weather Man, Loose Kid, and Swagga. The good thing about the "Hard On ThenYard" issue is, it goes down every year. 

At the end of the year we wanted to focus on the DJ families better known as Coalitions. We were fortunate to sit with some of the who's who in DJ Coalitions. We sat with DJs: Empress Journee, 3-2-1, WhutItDew, Shark, DRocc, the son of legendary DJ Jam Master J; TJ Mizell, Chill Will, 7Thirty, OO Kee, Mother Mayhem, Miami Myztro, RoRo, Wayne In Dis Thang, ReRe, Erika B, Nasty, Reckonize, Swiper, the creator of VirDiKO Global Music Promotions Big Daddie The DJ, Timeko T.,MMG’s A Bay Bay, and on the cover Black Bottle Boy & Maybach Music Group’s Kayotik. If you want to know where you music focus should be, this is a great issue to start with. 

As far as the "Mixtape Issue," it's packed with the Best of the Best Mixtapes DJs in the world and a DJ Live Set by Erykah Badu, but for the purposes of this issue, you will see DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown DJ to a packed house. ATTENTION ARTISTS… THE WORD OF THE DAY IS, PLUG! This is definitely the one to read. The "Mixtape Issue," is our way of changing our standard. This issue not only discusses the careers of these DJs, we address the movement of Hip-Hop music and the power that music possesses to calm the communities facing injustice. 

Thanks to all of the DJs and the artists who have given me the opportunity to get into their lives. Remember always #SaluteTheDJs!

#LeslieMac

I Need It In My Life…I Want It In My Life!

Hats off to "94.5 The Boom DFW" and the @INCrowdLife. The break we needed this weekend came with a strong dose of Hip-Hop. Two of our most notable features in the Mixtape issue of n'Rotation The DJ Magazine really gave impactful views and performances about the state of the culture. 

The hot weather on Saturday didn't slow down the attendance for “94.5 The Boom DFW’s” outside concert at Fair Park. This was a blend of classics from Soul R&B, Zydeco, and Hip-Hop genres. The station itself spins classic Hip-Hop, or should I say the DJs Menace, Mo Dave and Quick Mixx Rick, make the Best nonstop Mixtape for your day. Scarface, Bun B, Mystikal, and Juvenile took the crowd on a trip full of memories. The memory that stuck out most to me was the grind of the independent artists that were in attendance. There was no independent artist performance, but I saw record sales with no promotions. Those were the

days…when the markets were not so saturated with all the noise. The presentation and packaging was on point. Now I've seen great presentations before, but the actual material was lackluster. The support was the highlight of the day. The lazy artist relies only on Twitter and Instagram post filled with #Hashtags. The street grind is the most satisfying part of your career. Some of the artist I talk to want to credit others success to luck and not hard work. The one thing that I know about "LUCK," is Luck is a byproduct of hard work and determination, or if you're fortunate enough to find a four leaf clover (keep it close) :P  By the end of the day I saw the artist that was selling his CDs from the cardboard box, crush the now empty box and throw it away. Successful day!

Now that was my Saturday. Sunday…this was the day the staff at n'Rotation was looking forward to. The Mixtape issue is already packed with the world’s top 100 mixtape DJs: an entertainment giant that took his mixtape brand and turn it into a global success, one of Campus Kingz DJs versatile member, and a DJ who's brand carries the stamp of "Definition Of Party." Shoutout to Dre (IG: Drizzle_INC) and all the great people with @INCrowdLife and their #IncSunday’s event. The magazines #LiveSet feature was the headlining act for #SundayFunday. The eclectic style of DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown was highly anticipated. She literally rolled on to the stage with some type of 2 wheeled skate

apprentice attached to her feet. The Gas Monkey Live venue was completely packed and the roar of the crowd overpowered our cameras microphone. Ok I'll end the suspense...DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown is none other than Erykah Badu. She took to the 1s & 2s and started the live mixtape with the bass driven mix of Das Efx "We Want Effects." Now DJ LDLB(Lo Down Loretta Brown) occasionally stepped to the side and allowed Erykah Badu to take the mic and sing a few bars of her hit with Common, "Love of My Life” and the notorious “Window Seat.” You will see this full set in the upcoming issue of the magazine.

This was a weekend of Hip Hop that I needed in my life and wanted in my life!

#LeslieMac