By Jojo Santo Tomas Pacific Daily News santotomas@guampdn.com From the mobile DJ scene, playing pala-pala parties, to being one of the most recognizeable DJ groups around, the Rudeboys have come a long way in the last few years. Though each had their talent and following, it wasn't until one DJ, Power 98's Mr. Sims, brought them together under the same umbrella. Since then, they have become regulars on the dance scene and have often been called upon to fill in for other DJs. But over the years, their skill as music mixers has been supplemented by their skill as turntablists, DJs who use the turntable to "play" music by creating rhythmic sounds. Several DJs could create a "band" with one laying down a drum beat, another a bass beat, another scratching for vocals and others coming in with add-ons and effects. They were part of the "cream of the crop" put together by Sims and DJ Ronnie Perez for the Original Music Series II. "We were very flattered, says Merrill Reyes (pronounced ray-yes), otherwise known as DJ Dynamyk. "This is something that hasn't been done before. It really defines a turntablist as someone playing the turntable as an instrument. It really puts this type of DJ in the spotlight, so people can understand that there's different types of DJs. The other Rudeboys participating the the OMS II Series are Merwyn "DJ Junebug" Corpuz, Kevin "DJ Legacy" Milan, and Peter "DJ Exqwizit" Duenas. All four play only on vinyl and are hoping for a warm reception over the next few weeks. "We just want to have fun, put out the art form and get people aware of what we're doing", says Reyes. Thursday-July 10, 2003 Pacific Daily News
ONE-ON-ONE Q: Describe the music you play. Merrill: As a disc jockey I mix all types of music ranging from hip-hop, reggae, and R and B to cha-cha, new wave, house, freestyle and trance. As a turntablist however, this style of DJ-ing is a totally different aspect of the DJ artform. A disc jockey basically plays music and may mix the songs together to create a non-stop flow of music mainly for people to dance to. A turntablist, or one who "plays" the turntable, is a DJ who manipulates sound to create new original music just as a pianist plays the piano or a violinist the violin. At times it is through scratching where a sound of a record is being layed over an instrumental, or beat juggling which is the live remix of a song or beat. Merwin: The music I put out for the people is called turntablism and underground hip hop. It consist of samples of sounds and beats by creating my own music. Just raw stuff you don't normally hear or see on the radio and t.v.. Kevin:Straight funky freshhhhh! Peter: Hip hop, freestyle, R and B and whatever you hear on the Giodana Grind @ 9 Mixx Show with Sims on Power 98! Q: Describe your musical influences: Merrill: Being that I do both mixing, and scratching as well as juggling I get a lot of influences from both sides of the spectrum. In the scratch world I really look up to DJ Q-bert of course, DJ Flare, Melo-D, D-Styles, DJ Babu, DJ Craze, and A-Trak. In mixing I'm influenced by some of the Bay Area mix DJs such as Jazzy Jim, Jose Melendez and the hip-hop DJs of 106 KMEL in San Francisco. I also am really inspired by each and every DJ I meet and either do gigs with or just have a scratch session with. I find that vibing off of each other's style is a great motivator for all musicians involved. Merwin: My influences are pretty much other DJs, listening to rock,jazz,trip hop,and other music that soothes my ear. (My crew, I.S.P.,Tenshun.) Kevin: Mixmaster Mike, DJ Qbert, DJ Shadow, D-Styles, DJ Rramchop, and Skratchy Seal. Peter: As for DJ influences I would say groups like the Beat Junkies, Invisible Skratch Pikkles, Allies, Executioners, and of course the man who got me all in to this, (Ron Espina) started a DJ club when I was in middle school since then I kept trying my best to learn every thing I can about DJ-ing now I'm a walking juke box!!!! Q: Describe the challenges of being a DJ on Guam: Merrill: I think that the biggest challenge of being a turntablist on Guam is that not too many people know what we are doing, and maybe even they don't understand why we do it. I know from doing clubs and gigs here on Guam that most people see a DJ as a person who's supposed to entertain an audience with music for them to dance to. They don't understand that, playing music is not all a DJ can do with two turntables and a mixer. And when we do scratch or beat juggle in public some spectators have the attitude of "Why doesn't he just play the song so we can dance?" Merwin: Well here on Guam it's pretty hard to cope with the crowd because everyone is into mainstream, but I hope putting out something different will make people enjoy the music by not just hearing it as sounds, but seeing it as an art form of expressions. Kevin: The hardest thing about being a turtablist on Guam is the fact that a lot of times nobody knows what the hell we're doing. So it's really hard to get a good vibe outta the crowd. But other than that Guam's cool. Peter: The only challenge is yourself!! You have to challenge youself on learning the skill on being a DJ if it's scratching, mixing, juggling or whatever it maybe... it's all up to you to create the style you desire... then after you find that style you like... you have to face the fact that you live on guam and no music store on island sales any up to date records. Especially (scratch records) that's when you have break out the credit card and go online. This is where it gets expensive Q: Where do you plan to be in five years? Merrill: I really really really want to get into music production. I think it would be fun to work with all types of artists in creating new and original music, and maybe bringing a lot more turntablism into the mainstream. Merwin: Well my crew Spinister and Rudeboyz are spread out so in the next five years we as a group will be doing our own thing by elevating on what we do best and maybe later down the years or decades we'll reunite and represent even harder than ever. Just like New Edition... Kevin: I don't know... Hopefully on vacation! Peter: Most likely in the mainland. Q: Message to fans/shouts: Merrill: Well.......I don't think I have any........ummm, I guess I'd just like to say SUPPPORT YOUR LOCAL DISC JOCKEY! And give props when props is due. Shoutouts to "The Rudeboys" (We be the crew), Spinister Crew in Guam and Hawaii, and Nocturnal Sound Krew, Mixed Up Productions, Pinnacle Sound Performance, and Jennifer Nucum. Merwin: I don't have any fans here, but just want to let everyone know that what I put out is for the people who enjoy hearing it, to know what's the real deal and that this is an art that does exist and will not every fade out and will reach the highest peak of outer space.. because were not on earth any more and the year is not 2003, but the year 3030... So everyone just keep doing what you like and only the best is where you could find yourself.. and remember there is no boundaries in this lifetime. Kevin: Well to all my fans...if I have any, thanks for your support. I'd also like to give shoutouts to the whole Yigotown crew, Nissho boys, my entire family, the Rudeboys, the Backyard Warriors, the whole Spinista family, my son Kian AKA little pimp, Mrs. Zandra Ilagan and Mary Jane! Peter: If you have the heart for DJ-ing keep working hard and never stop practicing!
