3 years ago a friend of mine showed me Dj Sega’s remix of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” and ever since I have been an avid Sega follower, itching for new releases from the 24 year old Philly native. Sega has made quite a name for himself being at the front line of the Philly Club Scene, being apart of the Brick Bandits and even getting signed to heavyweight label Mad Decent. Seems as though Sega is in for a big 2012 after releasing a bunch of free music at the end of 2011 and just returning from his tour of Europe. I got to ask Sega a few questions, check the interview below.
Seg! Firstly, you would have to be one of my favourite dj’s going around at the moment. But for those who don’t much know about you, how about a brief history lesson on Dj Sega.
Well, I’m a young black man from the hood of Philadelphia PA. I remix everything into a genre called club music. I went from DJing every week at a local roller-skating center for teens, to spinning my music at places like Osaka, Tokyo, Sydney, and Helsinki.
What kind of state is the whole Philly Club Scene in at the moment? Anyone we should be keeping our eye on?
The Philly Club scene is in a transitional state. There’s a lot of kids here making “party music” to the best of their understanding and abilities of it. Some of it’s okay and the rest of it is a headache to me. But that’s only my opinion. If I can name names…I’d say watch DJ RL and DJ Swizzymack. But ALWAYS bring your eyes and ears back to me.
Woo-Hah! (Got you all in check) (DJ Sega Remix) (Probably my still biggest track this date!!!!) by DJ Sega
Sampling seems to be a major part in your production. You literally sample everything. How do you go about choosing a sample? And what tracks do you have in your sights in terms of sampling?
I have a brain that ticks 24/7 on whatever I hear on a daily basis and if I’m able to make it into a song. Sometimes I hear something being said or something being done, and I get crazy remix ideas about it. Sometimes I know what I want to flip, but other times I randomly see what I can mess around with.
Jealousy and Hell Fuck Yeah would have to be two of my favourite tracks. What’s your favourite track or track that stands out the most for you?
My favourite tracks of mine are usually my latest tracks that haven’t been heard by the public yet. At this very moment, it’s my remix of “I Wish” by Skee-Lo. But it’s really hard to pick an all time favourite because i love most of my remixes. That’s the whole purpose of why I make them in the first place.
You were signed to Diplo’s Mad Decent in its early stages. Can you tell us a bit about how that happened and where it’s at now?
I met Diplo through Dirty South Joe. Everything from there is pretty much a whole lot of buzz around the world that I wasn’t too much aware of. When we were based here in Philly, anything we touched turned into pure gold. We’ve done legendary events, tours, and music. I can’t say much for how they are since moving to LA, because I stayed here at home.
What’s a typical day in the life of Dj Sega?
Some days, I wake up and take care of my family; while taking breaks to work on some mixes. Other days I wake up still drunk from the night prior in a whole other country. My life has it’s “Normal/Nobody” days but it definitely has it’s “Different/Superstar” days as well. I can tell you I’ve got the perfect balance though. I can rock a crowd in Australia but go food shopping here at home without any hassle.
You pump out so much music nowadays and it’s all free. What motivates you to give away so much free music?
I’m a fan of anybody who likes any of my remixes. I give em out because my music is meant to make people motivated, happy, or any positive thing they need to get em to whatever next step they have. I love to giveaway free music. It makes me happy knowing I made somebody else’s favourite song their favourite all over again by putting my touch on it.
Original Don Remix – DJ Sega by DJ Sega
Care to point out a few career highlights for us?
Hmmm…The Buraka Som Sistema tour was incredible. That was the very first time i crowd-surfed. The Canadian Tour with Rye Rye as well as the “Ryeot PowRR” mixtape are favs of mine. And I really can’t leave out my tours in Japan and Australia.
Top 3 Tracks at the moment?
Ludacris – Slap
Common – Blue Sky
Meek Mill – Realest Shit You Ever Seen
Dj Sega’s drink of choice is…
To get my night started, I down a Jager Bomb. But I always drink Vodka Cranberry.
Besides music, what else is Sega good at?
Video editing, acting, writing, fixing shit, solving shit, playing with boobies, smoking weed, fucking, quite a lot actually.
What’s a question you never get asked but wish someone would ask you?
What’s your favourite part of a titty? The Areolas.
Rumor has it that you thoroughly enjoy a wake and bake followed by some horoscopes. Can you shed any light on this?
Recently, I haven’t been following horoscopes because I haven’t had the time or focus for it. As far as the wake and bakes, anybody who knows me, knows whether this was and is true or not.
What does Dj Sega have planned for 2012 and beyond? Maybe another visit to Australia?
I can’t even tell you what I have planned because most of my biggest mixes, videos, or anything are spontaneous. All I can say about that is stay tuned with me as much as you can. The last 3 months of 2011 went by fast, EVERYBODY who loves me and my music knows I’ve released 3 EPs in that time span. And for FREE. Australia knows I’m always ready to come back though.
O.T.I.S. (DJ Sega Remix) by DJ Sega
Any advice for upcoming Djs/Producers?
If you’re gonna do this, do it because you love it enough to contribute what you have to offer to the art of it all. There’s a bunch of DJs out here that’s just a face to be sold. They have no skill, love for DJing, and they can’t mix for shit. Know who and what you like and why. Or else you’ll get eaten alive by it!
Thanks for your time Seg. Any parting words? Shout outs?
Shout outs to the Brick Bandits, the Mad Decent family, Power5 Worldwide, Major Lazer, Rye Rye, Lil Jon, M.I.A., Keith Shocklee, Marsha Ambrosius, Asher Roth, Chiddy Bang, The International DJ Cafe, all the little titty chicks, all the big titty chicks and can’t forget the medium titty chicks!
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