Eddie G recently sat down with DJ Skee to discuss the West Coast, brand building, music video production, R. Kelly, time management, and pretty much everything else you can think of.  So blaze up that fire and make yourself comfortable.  You’re about to get hit with some real game.

Eddie G: What up Chronic Vacationers, I’m right here kickin it with the world famous DJ Skee.  What’s goin on dude?

DJ Skee: Everything is good man!  Just working hard!

Eddie G: Let’s start off by talking about Skee.TV.  Matt Alonzo is a beast with the music video direction, and your behind-the-scenes features are really replacing the need for shows like MTV’s “Making The Video” or BET’s “Access Granted. “ Tell the fans a little bit about how Skee.TV started, and what they can expect to see from the series in the future…

DJ Skee: Skee.TV started with me and a friend running around with a camera a few years ago just kinda documenting my life and making episodes out of whatever I did that was interesting, [whether it was] being in the studio with artists, radio interviews, behind the scenes at events, videos, or conventions.  [This was] before anybody in music was heavily doing the online video thing. We were just experimenting for fun!

I did some stuff with Verizon VCast before that was real successful and it gave me the idea, and from there we have now received over 50 million views and built an amazing production team and new age company. Matt heads our video production and is amazing. It’s funny because originally he was brought on just to help edit, and he kept telling me we could do videos.  So one day we put something small together, it turned out crazy, and now we’ve had three #1 videos this year so far…

Eddie G: You’ve been associated with R. Kelly a lot recently.  What type of game have you soaked up from being around a straight-up superstar like that who has so much experience in the music business?

DJ Skee: R. Kelly is incredible and one of the coolest people I’ve ever been around. He has more plaques on his walls than record labels, and his knowledge and talent are second to none. I just soak in as much as I can around him, and it [was] an amazing feeling when he came to me to help get his new material out: He recognized he needed to try something new since he’s been gone for a minute.

Everything has been amazing thus far working with him on the mixtape and other stuff.  I grew up listening to Kellz and still can’t believe I’m flying out to his crib to work with him. It’s almost a surreal feeling. The stories he has are second to NONE!

Eddie G: I’ve noticed, and you’ve even said on your mixtapes, that every new project you drop needs to feel like an event.  How do you go about creating that atmosphere when you’re putting a mixtape together?

DJ Skee: Yes, definitely. You do that by being selective, not doing every project that comes your way, and really putting the work into them and treating them like mini-albums. It’s crucial to be creative and come differently each time, and just keeping the quality there. I want [to have it so] every time someone sees my name attached to something, they know it isn’t just anything, and that it’s special.

Eddie G: You’re known almost as much for being associated with innovative projects, like Crooked I’s “Hip-Hop Weekly,” and cutting edge products, like Activision’s new video game DJ Hero, as you are for breaking records.  What qualities do you look for in products and brands before you associate your name with them?

DJ Skee: Again, [it’s about] choosing stuff that fits within your brand, and that is viable in the market and to you. I don’t think I could really go and promote a Geo Metro, as it just wouldn’t be authentic. However, when Daimler-Chrysler had the 300, Magnum, and Charger lineup about to come out, it made sense and fit, and we did an amazing job getting the product out in the market. You have to align yourself with the right things and then do what you do!

Eddie G: That’s great advice!  You’ve got 2 XM/Sirius shows, a KIIS FM show, Skee.TV, events to appear at, and mixtapes to produce.  What’s the trick to managing your time so you can sleep at night?

DJ Skee: Honestly, that’s the toughest thing. Recently, I was getting too stressed out, [so I] took a step back and looked at it like, “It’s only music.  I’m not the President of the United States in terms of importance or anything.”  So I had to go back to what was fun at the core as well as make sure [that] everything we do at Skee.TV do is right for the brand and on a business level.  [This] meant we had to say no to certain projects because it just didn’t make sense, even though checks were there for them.

I love what I do and I just try to work on stuff I believe in and have fun with. It’s all about being yourself, and not feeling like it’s always work. I’m blessed to be where I’m at, and dreamed of this my whole life.

Eddie G: I doubt you ever have very much free time to just sit back and kick it, but when you do, let the fans know what DJ Skee’s favorite things are to do when he’s not running around in this crazy ass industry…

DJ Skee: Nothing! Just relaxing! *Laughs*  Sports - playing and watching. Going new places, seeing new things, and just having fun in life.

Eddie G: I’m sure everyone who hits up this site has their own opinion on who the next dudes to blow up on the West Coast are.  Ignoring the obvious choices you always hear like Bishop Lamont, Jay Rock, Glasses Malone, and Nipsey Hussle, who’s somebody real under the radar that’s just starting to come up that you can picture becoming a huge star out here?

DJ Skee: Out West that you haven’t mentioned, I still really like cats like Problem, ROME, Terrace Martin, and Bad Lucc. This jerk movement is kinda crazy and a whole new generation. I like the Cold Flamez a lot as artists, and I think other groups like The Baby Dollz have a lot of potential to blow on a bigger level. There is a throwback pop group with soul named Nikki & Rich that are going to be HUGE - we just did some stuff with them. Last off, not from the West, but Freddie Gibbs from Gary, Indiana is going to make super street hip-hop cool again I think. His music is amazing!

[Eddie's note: You can download Skee and Freddie Gibb's new mixtape now by CLICKING HERE]

Eddie G: Thanks for visiting the site Skee and reaching out to the fans.  Is there anything else you wanna say before we go?

DJ Skee: Thanks to all you Chronic Vacationers for the support over the years, to you Eddie, and everyone else out there reading and supporting the movement! Stay tuned, we still haven’t even really started, we have some amazing stuff coming.

For More Info, Visit:
DJ Skee on Twitter // DJ Skee’s Official Website