Kutmaster Spaz Interview

- As far as leaving your mark on Hawaii, what do you want your "legacy" to be?
That people remember me as the innovator and elevator of the DJ scene in Hawaii.

- What are a few of your proudest achievements?
Being the first DJ in Hawaii to win the national Hit Makers award by Hit Makers Magazine (a music industry magazine), the only DJ/Entertainer in Hawaii to win the HMSA Ola Pono Award for living right, Starting Hawaii's first fully equipment DJ School in 2000 and the worlds first DJ Scratch school for Turntables.

- What are some of your fonder memories of your days on radio and spinning at the clubs?
Being notice for my work "in the mix" on radio back in the day on HOT I-94 (now Hot 93.9) . It's always good when be appreciate your work. I love working at Cilly's Night in Waikiki back in the day because it gave me freedom to express myself and experiment with my mix styles. Where as now its a little harder to experiment when people expect a certain style and sound from you, I always got to deleiver.

- How has Hawaii nightlife changed? for the good? and for the bad?
Oh it has change in many ways. For one, night clubs didn't have promoters and the DJ's were the draw. Where as now, people go for the promoters and the DJ's are a second thought or sometimes not even mentioned or given their props. A good thing that has come from promoters is that they are always trying to step up their game and think of new ways to elevate the party scene.

- You seem to have alot of things going on. How busy are you really lol?
OMG, I would have to write on two pages to explain how busy I am and what I do. A lot people think once you make it in the business you can sit back and relax, oh how wrong they are. You actually have to work hard to keep your status and remain successful in the industry. I always say "you are only successful as your last project", that's why I currently have 5 going on. I will just list them and titles so I don't take up your time.

*Music and Marketing Director for CW's Night Club on Lewers
*Executive Producer and Host for DIS-N-DAT TV
*Founder and Publisher for DISfunkshion Magazine
*President/CEO of DIS-N-DAT Media Group (DIS-N-DAT Music, Studios and Entertainment)
*Talent for Kutmaster Spaz Kreations (DJ different events and concerts)

In all those titles I have many responsibilities and projects.

- Talk about your new responsibilities at Coconut Willy's? Why should peeps check it out? What's the vibe like?
Coconut Willy's a.k.a. CW's Night Club is a cool ultra-lounge/nightclub with island decor that attracts locals as well as out of town guest. We draw a strong laid back 21 - 25 old crowd. We are open in 11:00 am (in the day) - 4:00 am, everyday. The club holds about 200 people and has a big restaurant and industry following. When the bar and restaurant people get off work about 11:30 pm they all come and hang out at CW's to 4:00 am. It might be becuase all yellow and blue card holders get in for free (like VIP) and get $1.00 off all their drinks. The locals like to come because they can hear great music spun by yours truly, come dressed party casual, free cover before 11:00 pm and the best part is they can bring their own food (pupus) or order and have their food delivered from on of the many restaurants in the area.


- Many younger fans, know you as the host of Dis N Dat and are not familar with your credentials as a dj, producer etc. How important is it to you that people know you came up as a deejay?
How true that is, when I show up at an event to DJ I have had some people say what are you going to do tonight...host. I tell them no, I am going to DJ and they say... "you DJ"? I doesn't bother me, however I personally never forget what opened upped doors for me to do what I do today. DJing gave me an outlet to keep me off the streets and from doing bad things, it also gave me opportunities to travel the world and meet cool people. Don't get me wrong I like to host DIS-N-DAT and event, but I love to DJ and that will always be my passion.

- What do you credit most for your drive and successes?
Their are many people but first I thank God for giving me the talent and everything I have. I thank the people who told me I couldn't do it, that push me to try harder. I thank my Mom and Dad for letting chase my dream, my friend Jimmy Da Geek for believing in me, Alan Arato for giving me a chance (getting me my first club gig) and my wife Patti for supporting my dreams (no matter how crazy they sound), believing in me and putting up with my crazy schedule.

- Are you spinning more on a regular basis these days? If so what do you like most about doing it more often?
Now that I am at CW's Tuesday - Saturday nights, I am spinning on a regular basis again, which I love. It's giving me my outlet again and allowing me to get back to my creative roots. I still do concerts and tours, I just came back from Maui where I hosted and DJIng the Summer Melee featuring the Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern (America's Best Dance Crew Winners and finalist).

- Your contributions to Hawaii youth are well respected and well documented. Why and how do you think the youth has become a major part of what you do?
I have and continue to do drug-free programs with the youth. I also do career building programs with schools in hopes to encourage the youth to find their passion as I have in DJing. I feel when I am around the youth it keeps me young in the fact that I takes me back to my days of coming up in the business. It gets me motivated when I see the passion in a young persons heart to make it in any filed they choose. So it keeps my passion for music burning as well.

What upcoming plans and projects will you be working on for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009?
Well I am revamping DIS-N-DAT TV with a new look and feel. I am also producing the TV special for The Miss Hawaii Young International Pageant Competition, I just singed a endorsement deal with a new national energy drink called Pit Bull, so I will be working on some TV commercials and performances for that. I just started my new record label (DIS-N-DAT Music) and we are putting out our artist Justice Moon's project (Moonshine) this Fall (look for the music videos on DIS-N-DAT), I also have a talent management company which we are pushing I.A's new project (Another Day In The HI) this fall as well. This I will be releasing my DIS-N-DAT Mixtape CD featuring artist for all over Hawaii and abroad. Finally, I am in the works of producing a new urban Hip Hop TV Show for OC16 that will should be out at the end of this year. Oh, I am also working to lose 100 pounds so I can take care of my health (which is very important to me).