As far as DJ’s in the hip-hop game go not many have had as much of an impact as DJ Ron G. When both Biggie and Tupac shout you out on tracks you know you must be doing something right and Ron most definitely was. This Uptown native has not only had number one radio shows, rocked countless parties, and introduced the world to many of their favorite artists but he also put the blend tape on the map. To do that is a massive accomplishment to say the very least. Believe it or not, there’s more, Ron has even produced for the late Michael Jackson. When it comes to hip-hop DJ’s Ron G is a certified legend and has earned that status. Mens Mag Daily had a chance to talk with Ron G about his work as a producer, the impact of the mixtape, and how he essentially invented the blend tape.
Mens Mag Daily: Ron, the first thing I want to know is this. You’ve been doing what you do successfully for like two decades. Many people can’t last 6 months in this industry. How have you managed to stay relevant for so long?
DJ Ron G: I think me being in the game as long as I have been is a testament to a few things. I love music first and foremost and I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I put dedication and hard work into everything I ever did in music.
Mens Mag Daily: Would you say that you are the inventor of the blend tape? And if so, how did you come up with the idea?
DJ Ron G: At the time I had heard one or two DJ’s do a blend on a mixtape here and there but what I did is I made a whole ninety minute cassette of blends. I would be as creative as I could in terms of the intros. And not only that but I was selective with the rappers I had rapping on there. It always had to make sense for me creatively. Another reason for the blends, believe it or not is I wanted to make my mother happy so I would blend the R&B music with the hip-hop beats and she appreciated that more when I was playing it in the house which was a lot of the time.
Mens Mag Daily: As a dude who was around from the beginning of mixtapes I have to ask you a question. When you were able to actually sell mixtapes, what was the money like for you? Were you eating crazy off the mixtapes?
DJ Ron G: Honestly man, for me it wasn’t about the money directly. I used the mixtapes as a vehicle to get somewhere else. I used them to promote myself and I could use the mixtapes to get shows and just showcase my creative talent.
Mens Mag Daily: I’m sure aspiring rappers must have been trying to get on your tapes left and right. What requirements did a rapper have to meet to get on a Ron G mixtape?
DJ Ron G: There weren’t any set requirements to get on my mixtape back then. If it was a situation where the rapper was hot and I wanted to help promote them. I would work with them personally. By working with them I was able to help develop their craft. At the same time, you have to remember, I was producing most of the tracks they were rapping on so it helped me to develop myself as a producer. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Mens Mag Daily: As one of the most influential DJ’s around, how important was it to you to be able to break new artists?
DJ Ron G: I consider breaking new artists one of the main jobs of any DJ. That’s what we do. We have that ear for talent and it’s a great feeling when you can say that you played something first and then you get to see that person blow up and do big things. Plus, I like helping people anyway.
Mens Mag Daily: Who were a few up and coming artists that just blew your mind? Is there one that just stands out above all the rest?
DJ Ron G: Honestly, that’s too hard to answer because I’ve worked with so many artists. I’ve been doing this for so long that the amount of artists I’ve worked with is crazy. I’ve worked with so many talented MC’s and I can say that every artist I’ve ever worked with had a certain special quality about them. There’s no doubt about that.
Mens Mag Daily: Do you have a favorite Ron G mixtape? I know there’s been a lot.
DJ Ron G: That’s a tough question because I’ve done so many but if I had to pick a couple, it has to be a couple because I can’t just pick one. I would say Mix 10, Mix 14, and Dead Presidents. Those three are definitely up there for me.
Mens Mag Daily: I know this is a very hard question but do have a favorite verse? Like, just one verse that will always stand out to you?
DJ Ron G: I actually do. There was a verse Tupac said back then that said “They sendin’ armies out to bomb me/ I’m listenin’ to Ron/ The only DJ that can calm me.” That’s my favorite verse right there. It was incredible. I miss my homie Tupac.
Mens Mag Daily: You’re obviously a talented DJ but you’ve done production work even produced a song for Michael Jackson. Can you tell us about your work as a producer?
DJ Ron G: The production end of things obviously started because of my career as a DJ. It’s kind of a natural progression. It started with the mixtapes and being a DJ but it evolved from there. I’ve worked with so many people production wise including Big L, Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, M.O.P, Lost Boyz, and the list goes on. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really great artists.
Mens Mag Daily: Did it come as a shock to you when the FEDS really cracked down on mixtapes? And do you think they are as useful as they once were?
DJ Ron G: I don’t know who cracked down on mixtapes but you can look around and see they’re still here. It may not be the physical mixtape but they’re still very important. Mixtapes are a great way to promote for artists, labels, DJ’s, everybody. Most major hip-hop artists are still dropping mixtapes. They will always be useful for hip-hop and R&B.
Mens Mag Daily: Who were some of the DJ’s you looked up to coming up? I know there weren’t many before you.
DJ Ron G: I definitely had a few DJ’s that I looked up to coming up. I looked up to Red Alert, Marley Marl, Kid Capri, Starchild, Luv Bug Starski, and Brucie B. I definitely looked up to them when I was first starting out. I could say they were an inspiration.
Mens Mag Daily: Who do you enjoy in terms of newer DJ’s?
DJ Ron G: Right now I have two DJ’s that I really enjoy listening to and those two are DJ Drama and DJ Fade.
Mens Mag Daily: You obviously have an ear for talent, what MC’s of today do you think are destined to blow up?
DJ Ron G: It’s a whole package, you know? It depends on an artist’s grind. They have to be hard working. It depends on their swag and of course the talent. If I had to give an example of an artist I’m feeling right now I would say Troy Ave.
Mens Mag Daily: What projects are you working on and what can we expect to see from Ron G in the future?
DJ Ron G: Right now I’m promoting my club anthem, “Do Ya Dance (Shake It)”. It’s a hot record. And I’m always producing so everybody should definitely be looking forward to some more platinum music from Ron G, for sure.
Mens Mag Daily: Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans out there who have been cheering you on for years?
DJ Ron G: Without people showing me support and love none of this would be possible so I just want to thank everybody for all the support over the years.
Mens Mag Daily: Where can your fans check for you?
DJ Ron G: I got a bunch of places they can check for me, WWW.MYURLS.COM/DJRONG, WWW.TWITTER.COM/MIXKING155,WWW.TWITTER.COM/KINGPROMO155, WWW.TWITTER.COM/LEGENDARYDJRONG, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LEGENDARY.RON.G,WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/LEGENDARYDJRONG. I also have my website which is WWW.LEGENDARYDJRONG.COM.
Article By: Jon DaBove
