ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)

Episode 380: DJ HABIBEATS: "The Palestinian Pioneer of Arabic Club Music"

Episode 380: DJ HABIBEATS: "The Palestinian Pioneer of Arabic Club Music" In this episode of the ROAD podcast, the crew welcomes @DJHabibeats for a deep dive into his meteoric rise and the evolution of the global Arab club scene. The conversation begins with a recap of his recent milestones (1:45) and a look at his expanding international tour schedule, including his highly anticipated set at the @Coachella @TheDoLab. Habibeats addresses his infectious energy behind the decks and explains how he utilizes his open format roots to represent Arabic house music by drawing from a rich, worldwide musical heritage (13:50). As the market for Arab music parties grows, he discusses the healthy competition in the scene, the logistical challenges of touring, and the importance of prioritizing health and team building while on the road (21:01). The dialogue shifts toward the business of music as Habibeats talks about signing with a new agency and his creative process for tracks like "Hayati", while Crooked draws parallels between the sub-genres of Latin and Arabic music (32:20). The DJs get technical about their preference for playing tracks at +4 pitch, leading to a discussion on how music acts as a bridge between cultures in a divided world (37:15). Habibeats shares his philosophy on dealing with openers and how the "third culture" experience shaped the entire crew's upbringing (48:24). Later, they tackle "front row red flags" and the need for audiences to be present rather than just filming (55:01), before exploring the broken state of music distribution and how Gen Z interacts with new releases (1:00:01). The episode concludes with a look at his favorite producers (1:18:01), the value of saying "no" to protect his brand, and a hilarious story about a super-fan in Delhi, ending on a reflective note about using his platform to showcase his unique perspective (1:36:22). Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.2): "Epic B2Bs w/Bad Boy Bill + LA's Underground Rave Revival"

Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.2): "Epic B2Bs w/Bad Boy Bill + LA's Underground Rave Revival" The Road Podcast crew is in LA for the NAMM show and sits down with LA-born and raised house/dance music legend Richard Vission. Part 2 picks up with @RichardVission reflecting on LA nightlife in the 2000s, from 60,000-person events to a Grammy nomination (05:44) and the rave era of “Together as One” with @PasqualeRotella. He talks about landing multiple number one Billboard remixes for artists like @Madonna and the backlash that came with it. He shares the story behind “I Like That,” the pop EDM wave, and working with @Britneyspears and @iamwill, before explaining why he stepped away during the EDM over saturation era and how house found its way back to the forefront (17:01). Richard breaks down his current production approach (31:55) and his House Issues partnership with @DJBadBoyBill, including their highly praised b2b set and the work behind it (1:42:00). He also discusses vinyl nights in LA (45:01) and the rise of invite only underground after hours reshaping the city’s nightlife (52:01). The episode closes with reflections on Power Tools (1:00:02) and the ROAD 10, where Richard names LA his favorite city to DJ and recalls playing the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 70,000 people as a career highlight (1:12:23). Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.1): "The Architect of L.A. Dance Culture"

Episode 379: RICHARD VISSION (Pt.1): "The Architect of L.A. Dance Culture" The Road Podcast crew is in LA for the NAMM show and sits down with 1/2 of the duo #TheHouseConnection with @DJBadBoyBill, the Founder of the historic radio show @Powertools, LA-born and raised house/dance music legend, @RichardVission! The episode kicks off with Richard breaking down the early LA dance scene, starting with The Dome and The Arena (01:57), and how his first techno group, The Movement, led him to DJ Bad Boy Bill (04:10). He shares the backstory of Florentine Gardens and the infamous heist (07:12), then talks about his live mixes on Power 106, where late-night recordings turned into a movement (11:20). Richard explains how The Casa became the foundation of LA house, the moment freestyle faded while house took over the city (13:10), and the era of 15 DJs a night that helped shape LA’s fast-paced quick-mixing style (16:01). At just 16, Richard was already booking high school dances featuring The Cover Girls, World Class Wreckin' Cru, and Eazy‑E—events that generated serious money and earned the nickname “High School Coachella” (19:55). He also explains how he got the name Richard Vission (30:10) and reflects on early LA house records, including “House Music” by Eddie Amador, and how The Dome helped bring artists like Louie Vega, Armand Van Helden, and David Morales to Los Angeles. The episode later shifts to radio, where a single 30-minute mixtape landed him on Power 106 (46:10). Richard recalls how his mix aired by accident, the phones immediately blowing up, and the mantra he still lives by: “The harder you work, the luckier you get” (51:50). Lastly, He closes by discussing creative freedom in radio and nightlife (58:55), his mixtape era with Bad Boy Bill and House Connection, and his first New York show alongside Erick Morillo (1:07:30). Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX

Episode 354: JASON JANI “The Hustle Behind One Of America's Top DJ Event Companies”

Episode 354: JASON JANI “The Hustle Behind One Of America's Top DJ Event Companies” On this week’s episode, the crew sits down with veteran DJ and Founder of @SCEEventsGroup @JasonJani. Jason shares how his DJ career began (2:30), discusses why he stayed out of the typical club circuit (16:30) and credits corporate America with shaping his professionalism (27:55). He explains how a single YouTube upload transformed his career (35:10), ultimately leading to the founding of SCE Event Group (35:34). He dives into the rebranding of his company during the #WatchTheThrone tour (53:40), how #VirgilAbloh advised on the name and visuals (1:14:30), and working high-profile events (54:01). Jason later breaks down SCE’s revenue model (1:17:30), outlining how each DJ’s goals shape their role within the company (1:35:50). He gets candid about the pandemic’s devastating financial toll on his business (1:50:10). Finally, Jason weighs in on whether club DJs can successfully transition into the private event space (2:26:10).

Episode 378: DJ ZIMMIE "Why DJs Need the 'Level Up' Conference?"

Episode 378: DJ ZIMMIE "Why DJs Need the 'Level Up' Conference?" This week on @RoadPodcast, the fellas welcome Pittsburgh native, PioneerDJ/@AlphaThetaGlobal product planning team member, and founder of the @LevelUp4DJs Conference @DJZimmie! The crew discusses how having a camera operator during Club DJ Sets has now become mandatory, how that increases costs, and how it affects how much money a DJ can make (01:55). Crooked shares how @DJNugget saved him one night in Pittsburgh by taking a punch for him (05:01). Zimmie breaks down what “Level Up For DJs” has to offer (13:40) and speaks on a moving moment involving @Shortkut at the #LevelUp4DJs 2025 conference (21:50). The crew also talks about how they manage their presence on social media as DJs (40:40), Crooked speaks on the beauty of collaboration, building community, and social media exhaustion (53:01). The fellas reflect on their experience at NAMM 2026, as well as new @AlphaThetaUSA products being released this year (1:04:33). Optic asks Zimmie when Serato users will be able to have their library on a USB stick (1:18:01). Finally, Zimmie explains how the YouTube series “Pioneers of Hip Hop DJs” came to fruition (1:31:01). Use Discount Code “ROADPODCAST” at checkout for up to $50 off your tickets to #LevelUp4DJs: https://levelup4djs.com/ Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX