DJ Felli Fel: What’s Poppin’?

Middle Child Promotions: We want to first say thanks allot for talking with us today. I’m more than sure that there were a million other things that “The Number One DJ on the West Coast” could be doing.

Fel: I appreciate that man, I am so Excited and flattered.

MCP: So let’s jump rite into it Felli. Tell us how you got your start in the industry?

Fel: I grew up in Atlanta which is where I got into Hip-Hop, and when I was young my family moved to Los Angeles, and when we moved out there I got a taste of Hip-Hop while I was in high school.. During our lunch, the school would let us eat outside (due to the beautiful weather), and there would always be a DJ out there mixing while we ate, and eventually I got out there with the local DJ. Being out in L.A. exposed me to a different type of Hip-Hop and Culture. I eventually moved to Dallas, and that’s when I really go into house parties, producing, and clubs; and now I’m striving to make the hits that I (usually) hear.

MCP: In today’s industry, it’s often the artists who get the most praise, yet people often neglect the fact that if it wasn’t for the DJ’s laying and playing the tracks, we as the public wouldn’t be able to enjoy the hits. Talk about what it’s like being the man behind the mic.

Fel: I think it’s a good time to be a DJ, I’m blessed to express myself and blessed that people give me the chance to bring good music to them. I love looking into the next hit and bringing it to the people. Often times in music there are trends or cycles that come in, go out, and then come back in again; I think that DJ-ing is a cycle, and we are just now coming back into it and to where Hip-Hop first started. DJ’s have always been the core of Hip-Hop, and now a day there is a lot of love and respect for it.

MCP: Speaking of ‘behind the mic,’ lets talk about your new single, “Finer Things” featuring Ne-Yo, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupree, and Kanye West. It is definitely the street sweeping single of the spring. Talk about the track and how you hooked up with the artists, and how the track was born?

Fel: I appreciate that comment! I’m excited about it; you got Ne-Yo, Fab, JD, and Kanye. Before I produced this record, I knew it had the potential to be big. The first person I contacted was Ne-Yo, because I knew he’d take it to the next level, and he got in there and delivered a great hook, then I went to Kanye, which was good, because he usually doesn’t rhyme over beats that he doesn’t produce-and he loved it. Next I went to Fab who always told me that when I did something that he wanted to be apart of it, and when I brought it to him, he was down, and then I went to JD, who really spit on this record like he has never spit before.

MCP: In this industry most artists and DJ’s put a cop on their career, and try to envision their careers in the next 1-5 years, but we the success that you are garnering and the hits that you are producing, you are truly setting yourself up for longevity; tell us where you see yourself and your career in the next 10 years?

Fel: I hope to be in the studio. I also hope that my new album reflect me in such a positive light where it will serve as a resume for my career. I want to show that I have high caliber tracks, I love being in the studio and making hits, it’s an outlet; I’m always trying to come up with hits.

MCP: So the buss on the streets is that you’re working on your debut album, “Go DJ,” which you’re producing all by yourself (without any help); talk about the album, when will it drop, what should we expect to hear from it, and will we get to see Felli in front of the mic too?

Fel: It will be out on Island Def Jam/So So Def Records, and is tentatively set to be out mid April. You can expect an album that’s a big party; it’s a feel good album with a street edge. The album is coming from a DJ’s perspective, and will display allot of mix show cuts. There are also a slue of artists on the album such as Ciara, Jim Jones, E-40, The Game, Snoop, Kanye, Rick Ross, and more. I’m shooting to continue a run of hit records, which is a great challenge that I am glad to accept.

MCP: Well Fel, as a DJ man might hear you more than they see you, and since we here at MCP are all about the exclusive, why don’t you share with us something that your fans or others in the industry might not know about you?

Fel: In reference to my career, it was either going to be sports or music. Growing up I had a wonderful and creative mother who knew the importance of keeping me involved in extracurricular activities, and she helped me get involved with sports. I initially wanted to play baseball and I excelled in it, but by high school I found music, and it overthrew sports. By the time I was 19 I was DJ-ing in clubs that I wasn’t even old enough to be in yet.

MCP: Thank you again Fel for speaking with us and showing everyone out there that there is more to being a DJ than just spinning a cute. We recognize how important your personal career path has impacted the industry, it’s so great that you have such a passion and appreciation for the industry; often times artists who are in front of the mic only spit the flow, but do not understand what it takes to actually lace it. For your commitment and dedication, we at MCP have so much love for you!

Fel: That’s flattering, I appreciate that, it’s motivating.

MCP: We can’t wait for your album to drop and look forward to hear it; we are so excited about it, and hope to hear from you again in April.

Fel: Thank you man, we are going to follow up with you, and hope to speak with you guys again after the album comes out.

MCP: Thank you again Fel, it’s been an honor!