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  DJ Aaries Interview
interview 0567 added 04.06.08 words:
Nina Carmela
technical:
Spoon
In partnership of top social site Blackplanet.com, Roca Wear launched its own online campaign, I Will Not Lose. The venture consisted of contestants submitting video footage which highlighted hardships and life obstacles, and how they oversaw these struggles. After 550 submissions, only two contestants would succeed. DJ Aaries ‘The Hulk’ was that one of two and is now rocking The New Face Of Roca Wear.
 Hailing from South Carolina, DJ Aaries aka The Hulk, had a greater ambition than to be just a DJ, he wanted to create a movement within the industry and help peers achieve their musical goals. After relocating to ATL Aaries began to pursue what he was destined to do, and in 2005 he introduced the ‘HOOD HARD’ mix tape series which consisted of aspiring DJ’s as well as Hip Hop artists.
Pursuing his intentions, DJ Aaries founded the Hood Hard Hitmakers which is a collective of DJ’s and artists combining their projects, and representing as one unit. He’s known for numerous appearances on BETs Rap City and has launched the Hood Hard TV which is broadcasted across 7 states. Aaries was voted the NO1 DJ at the South ‘Sea’ Awards and has great credits for touring with No Limits rapper Fiend and hosting with Paul Wall for ‘Da Numba One Contender’ amongst others, and is currently working with artists Ayanna, DG YOLA, Hardy Boyz, Lil Jab, Skripture, 334 Mobb, C Bone, Lil 1, Georgia Gurlz, Malachi, Jay Rush, Tam Tam and Nappy Roots.
UKHH.COM dwells into the past, present and future venture of DJ Aaries aspiring empire and acknowledges his musical achievements to date...
How did you find out about the I Will Not Lose competition in association with Rocawear and Black Planet, how did you find out about it?
It was a pop up…. I was only uploading my video because I saw it was dealing with Rocawear…lol I was only doing that because I knew a lot of people would see it… I didn’t find out it was a competition until later…
The video footage you submitted was based on your work ethics whilst working your way into the music industry with the intentions of giving advice to aspiring music professionals. What was your motive behind this?
What motivated me to do this is the fact that when I was starting out no one really helped me come up and I wasn’t quite sure of what to do… Since I was making major moves so fast I decided to record some of them and share what I went through with others….
Having won the competition your video has obviously been observed immensely, have you had any positive feedback from aspiring artists/DJ?
Yes, I have been getting a lot of positive feedback since I did it.. The clip I submitted is like ¼ of the video. To see the rest you had to have the DVD… I gave out like 5,000 copies of the DVD for FREE prior to uploading it.
Since claiming your title, what have you been doing for the campaign?
 They flew me up to New York I did a photo shoot, a few interviews, (one Of which was with allhithop.com). I have been doing big things before Rocawear like working with rappers FIEND, Nappy Roots, Hardy Boyz, Having my own tv show that airs in 8 states and I appeared on BETs Rap City a few times. I plan on doing more things with Rocawear in the future.
How has this enhanced the progress of your own projects?
Im a part of a national campaign so needless to say more people are going to see me and hear my story. It has also created a buzz in ATL that added to the buzz I generated already. I think being the newest face will give me more influence when I speak to children… I did say that I do motivational speaking too right..?
You run the Hood Hard DJ and Artist agency, what do services do you offer?
We all work together to get seen and heard for more info check out
www.hoodhardhitmakers.com & www.myspace.com/djaaries or just google “DJ Aaries” the 1st 50pgs are about me…..
What are your long term intentions for your company?
I only have 1 goal and that is to have had positively made a difference in Hip Hop. (Making a little money wouldn’t hurt though…lol)
When did your ambitions in music begin and how did you work your way into the scene?
I started out spinning with my cousin DJ Phingaz. I used to open for him in college. After a while I realized I had to move in order to grow, that lead to me moving to ATL. When I got down here I was running like a wild animal to get in the middle of things. Since I am a “people person” it wasn’t hard for me to get connected with power players… I also started dealing with hundreds of indie artists.. three years later here I am.
From a DJ’s perspective, what do the listeners want right now?
 From DJ Aaries’s prospective people just want to have fun. I think HATERZ are the only people talking about Hip Hop is in a bad place. Its ok to make a movie with killing in it but when it comes to Hip Hop its on the front page of every paper… We go through things a lot of people don’t understand and all folk who got in this business never intended on being national spokespeople…. I think parents need to be better parents and the future of Hip Hop will be even better..
Bearing the above in mind, how will you reflect this to the artists you work with?
I let them do them and guide them with me being a positive role model.I also deal with artists who understand that this is a business first and about their music second.
What are your views on the Hip Hop scene?
I think Hip Hop is in a great place I like most of the music coming out. Now as far as how its treated that’s another story…
How do you intend to create a positive impact to the industry?
I intend on doing this by continuing to do what I believe to be right. I can only control what I do and hopefully people will be watching.
What grabs your ear in an artist?
I look for an artist that sounds different. Something distinctive about their voice is always a plus. They also gotta be a team player and a hard worker. Lack in any one of those areas and I can’t deal with you…
 Why music?
Why clothes, why food, why water….lol because I feel like it’s a great ting that I need ever since the first time I was exposed to music I already knew I was different and that I love it… I cant explain why… As I got older I felt the need to make a difference… here I am today…
What are your plans for the rest of 2008?
To be further along than I was in 2007..!!! lol
Check out DJ Aaries web page at www.myspace.com/djaaries & www.hoodharddjs.com where he represents the Hood Hard family in his top friends; also watch his I Will Not Lose video submission at www.iwillnotlose.org
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Nina Carmela
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