Dj TedSmooth Aka The Remix King (INTERVIEW)

MMNyc718: Where are you originally from?

TedSmooth: East Harlem, Wagner Projects.


MMNyc718: Who were some of your "Biggest" influences when you were coming up?

TedSmooth: kid Capri, Brucie B, Star Child & Dj Rei Double R (My brother)

MMNyc718: How long have you been in the game?

TedSmooth: That is a grey area question but I will say my 1st paid gig was in 1985. a sweet 16 in the Bronx for $150 cash. (Laugh)!

MMNyc718: What Motivates you to do what you do?

TedSmooth: My motivations are taking the people who pay money to come hear me deejay to another place of happiness when they are in my club. Meet your future wife and have the best birthday and reminisce with your favorite song. Producing & remixing, there nothing better than taking a hit record and making it better; given it a different feel and a new life. Then deejay's that get inspired and start putting out different remixes, lets me know that I'm making a difference at a high level, and last but not least, my 5 year old daughter Ty. she's a mini me, loves music, dancing and inspires me to be the best i can be everyday............

MMNyc718: What is your opinion on the state of hip hop?

TedSmooth: The state of hip hop "IS WHAT WE MAKE IT". People get caught up in what the next dude is doing instead of just doing their own thing and create their own lane. That's what I did! Believed in my craft!

MMNyc718: What would you say are the ingredients to making a great club, radio, and or even a commercial record?

TedSmooth: The ingredients, everybody knows them but they act like they are not right in front of their face everyday. First is melody and aggressive drums that make you bop your head, Second is lyrics, and the third is the more simple the better.

MMNyc718: What are some off the "BIGGEST" records you have broke or been apart of?

TedSmooth: In the Early 90's I broke almost every reggae artist at my parties. Mr. Vegas, Sean Paul, and etc. In 03' I produced and co-wrote "Uh Ooh" Aka "Never Leave You" for Lumidee. Who was signed to my record label STRAIGHT FACE RECORDS. In 05' I produced "No Music" Aka "The Harlem March" for The Voice Of Harlem. That record till this day rules every elementary and junior high school school yard in NYC. The Kids form a circle and just clap the hook "No Music Clap Clap Clap Clap. No Music!" (Laugh). Then in 07' I started my streak of re mixes that till this day I'm surprised that the ideas still come to me. from Alicia keys "No One" Ft. Cassidy, Dreams "I Luv Your Girl" with Beyonce "Single Ladies", to Jaime Foxx's "Blame It" and to continue Chris Brown's "I Can Transform Ya" with Trey Songz "Invented Sex", to currently "Angels" & "Love Come Down" Ft. Jim Jones for Diddy. Its outta control!!! Oh yeah, shout out to my team "THE BIG DAWG PITBULLS"........


MMNyc718: Are you working on any new projects or with any new artists?

TedSmooth: I got a new reggae artist by the name of KING JAZZY that's crazy dope! I known him for years and I think now we are both on the same page to do some great music. I featured him on one of my "I Invented Sex" remix versions and he bodied it. the ladies gonna love him!

MMNyc718: How did you get the name the "REMIX KING"? What would you say is the best remix you put together?

TedSmooth: I never liked titles on my name but the people started calling me the "REMIX KING". at first it was "Yo Nigga , you the new Diddy with the remixes!!!!", then twitter was born and they didn't stop saying it so i said, fuck it! I'm putting this real work in and rarely is someone labeled the "BEST" at what they do so i embraced it, no like made a medallion that said "REMIX KING" (Laugh). B`ut accepted it cause it helped people identify me which opened allot of doors for me. The "BEST" remix? damn that's a hard one. I would have to say "I Luv Your Girl" By The Dream cause to take the Lolly Pop intro from the original tempo and gradually speed it up to i think 92bpm in the intro fucked everybody up and then dropping probably my favorite break of all time "Keep It Together" By Madonna was so Fuckin Harlem!!!!! and it banged the entire year, every basketball tournament, club, park, radio everywhere. finally that was the first remix I said "Ted Smooth, Straight Face, U Remember!" everybody just liked it, I don't why but I'll take it!(Laugh). "Blame It" a close 2nd and nobody knows this but i did that shit in my car, double parked on 119St & Pleasant Ave. I kid u not! the rest is history on that one........

MMNyc718: What would be the best way to reach you, if someone wanted to work with you?

TedSmooth: Twitter man! That's the greatest way! www.twitter.com/tedsmooth

MMNyc718: Is their anyone you would like to send a shout out to?

TedSmooth: Shouts out to my close friends that love and support, the fans the love and support Tedsmooth, my daughter Ty, John "GUNGIE" Rivera the "GREATEST" club promoter ever and god for blessing me with a job that I love doing! Their is nothing better!


MMNyc718 would like to take the time to say I really do appreciate Dj TedSmooth for taking the timeout to answer a few questions. Ladies & gents make sure you checkout Dj TedSmooth on www.ALISTRADIO.NET On Monday Nights @ 10pm or log on to www.DJTEDSMOOTH.COM for additional info............REMIX KING VOL.I INSTORES NOW!!!!!!!!!