JayCeeOh is among the hottest DJ/producers in the game right now. By recently claiming his crown as VH1/Smirnoff’s “Master of the Mix,” the LA native was able to show the world what he’s about and is not slowing down. “Pop Models Vol. 6” is the brand new installment in JayCeeOh’s mixtape series and is being premiered exclusively through Earmilk. The “Master of the Mix” winner flaunts an 80-minute long mix of some of the best trap, bass, and house music around right now. Seamlessly blending together tracks from the likes of Jay-Z, Diplo, Doctor P, TWRK, Rihanna, Yellow Claw, and Disclosure into a work of art that will make any club bounce, JayCeeOh integrates a number of his own originals and unique edits to make his influence prominent throughout the mix. Check out the exclusive premiere here:
JayCeeOh has been turning heads with some other killer releases as of late, highlighted by his remix with B-Sides of Jeremih’s “Let Loose” and an original trap banger with Steve1der titled “Till A Boy Get Kill.” JayCeeOh also took the time to do an interview with us, which you can find in its entirety below. Covering topics ranging from his introduction into music, his victory at VH1/Smirnoff’s “Master of the Mix,” and what exciting things we can expect from the DJ/producer in the coming months, JayCeeOh makes it clear that things are only just getting started.
EM: Can you tell us a little about how you got into DJ’ng and producing growing up in Pittsburgh?
JCO: Well I was born in LA and lived there until 8th grade, which is when I moved to Pittsburgh, PA. In LA my musical taste was all over the place, and I was heavily into Skateboard and Graffiti culture. The year I moved to Pittsburgh was the year I got turned on to DJing. A combination of my older brother putting me onto hip-hop and the one day my best friend came across a VHS battle video of the X-Ecutioners vs Beatjunkies. After watching that video I was hooked and have literally spent every day since working towards become an incredible DJ.
EM: Huge congrats on your recent victory at VH1/Smirnoff’s “Master of the Mix” competition. What does this achievement mean to you and what does it do for your career?
JCO: Winning VH1/Smirnoff “Master Of The Mix” TV show was a huge accomplishment. Aside from the huge cash prize ($250,000), I got to perform week after week on national television doing the craft that I have been practicing and perfecting for close to seventeen years. Each episode’s challenge was based around a different aspect of DJing. Creativity, Battling, Remixing, Producing, Stage Production, and Performance were all necessary to get the victory and title of Master Of The Mix. I feel like I got to show the world how well rounded I am as a DJ/Producer. Now people’s eyes are really open to what I have to contribute to music and DJ culture.
EM: Tell us about your recent remix of Jeremih’s “Let Loose” with B-Sides. What inspired that?
JCO: Jeremih has been picking some good production and his style of singing is soulful, but not in a corny radio R&B kind of way… When I heard the original of “Let Loose,” the initial chords that start the song really grabbed my attention. Once the beat dropped in I wasn’t as psyched on the track and/or Game’s verse. I cracked open a session and played around with arrangement and did all the vocal chops and drum programming. Then B-Sides and I went in and added the additional Basslines and Synths. Overall we were very happy with how the remix came out. I can’t really categorize its genre exactly, which is kinda fly…
EM: What can you tell us about your next release?
JCO: Aside from the hearty release of “Pop Models Vol 6,” I have a gang of originals and official label remixes in the works. Dj Scene & Myself put together a hype twerk record that should be out soon. I have a track called “Steem” that I produced with Goodwill & MGI that is a big House/Electro tune. “Till A Boy Get Kill” by Steve1der, B-Sides, and myself is gaining a lot of traction in the Trap world. Tons more… I am super focused and motivated on production right now. You guys are in for some treats.
EM: What do you think sets you apart from other DJ/producers right now?
JCO: The main thing that sets me apart from the other DJ/Producers right now is my ability to actually perform live. A lot of popular producer/DJs are really just producers, and never really played a DJ set until they got a record out. But for me, I have been perfecting the performance aspect of DJing for seventeen years. Stage presence, vocal presence, transitions, chops, technical skill, observing crowd reaction are all key factors in my sets. I can go any direction on the drop of a dime. A lot of Producer/DJs have amazing light shows and production which distracts the crowds from their lack of ability to actually mix and perform live. When I start playing these big festival stages and have stage production added to my sets my performance will be very memorable to people who catch me live. My experience as a DJ also helps a ton when making music. Whether it’s through my actual movements while DJing or through the music itself, my soul is trained to make music that constantly moves and builds so people are entertained every second.
EM: Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the industry at this point in your career?
JCO: A-Trak is a big inspiration to me. He came from the world of being a battle/hip-hop DJ like me and successfully made the transition to being his own entity as a DJ/Producer/Performer. Diplo is also a big inspiration. Diplo is a dude who has his ear to the street for new sounds and is able to reinterpret what’s dope and make it his own. I approach music in a similar way and aspire to be a tastemaker on that level some day soon.
EM: Where is your favorite place to play and why?
JCO: Roseland Ballroom NYC. I got to play a sold out show there last Fall and the place was on fire… such a great feeling rocking a crowd like that.
EM: I know you’ve been looking to bring more of your focus to producing, what are your goals concerning that?
JCO: This is true. Production is my main focus right now. Throughout the majority of my career I dabbled in production but focused more on being a great DJ because it had instant gratification. You play a show you get paid. In the production world it’s more about the long game. After winning the TV show I have a lot more breathing room financially and I don’t have the pressure to go out and prove myself and hawk people for bookings just to pay rent. Calls are incoming now, my calender is filled with great shows, and I have an awesome team working with me. All my free time is devoted to production. I have all the tools and catalog to make the jump, now all I gotta do is focus and make it happen.
EM: If you could collab with anyone, who would you pick?
JCO: That’s a tough one, Can’t pick one… There are producers + vocalists that I would love to work with. Can’t pick one of either… So I will give you five vocalists. Kanye, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Wiz Khalifa.
EM: What do you like to do when you’re not DJ’ng or producing?
JCO: I am all about mini-adventures when I have free time. If I am on tour I like to find something out of the ordinary to do. When I am home in LA, You can find me at the beach relaxing, Hiking, playing basketball, eating/cooking great food.
EM: Who’s your celeb crush?
JCO: I don’t really have a celeb crush all like that… But off top Kate Upton could get it…
EM: And your favorite drink?
JCO: Coconut Water
EM: Anything else you want music fans all over the world to know about you?
JCO: Thanks for taking the time to check me out. Gonna be a fun ride with all the new releases I have in the works. Make sure you follow me on Soundcloud, Twitter, and Facebook for all the latest.
