For The Critics

We got in contact with 2x Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards winner of the DJ of the year awards and asked him to touch on a couple things he’s seen in the city, The closing of WAMO, The grind of Pittsburgh artists and his hidden talent…WAMO (Pittsburgh number one station for hip hop and R&B) Closed it’s doors today at 6pm. We knew it was coming prior to this interview but here’s was DJ GQ had to say…Enjoy!

ForTheCritics.com: You’ve been doing the DJ thing in Pittsburgh for as long as I can remember, what got you started or interested in DJing?

DJ GQ: My dad is a Dj so i caught the dj bug when i was like 12 and then at around 14 I was doing parties all through high school and college. My mom used to sing so music was just always around so it was a natural thing for me to do.

ForTheCritics.com: So while you were paying your dues to get where you are now, What were some of the more difficult things you had to overcome?

GQ: Just getting in the game here [Pittsburgh] I mean I had to stay patient and I was really big on not stepping on toes to get ahead just had to wait for my turn and I kept trying to work on being better. To this day as far as PGH goes mad respect for Dj Rok and Shorty D, Before I even lived here those two ran shit and they still do, I always respected them for keeping it real…

ForTheCritics.com: Was there a reason it never turned into you making music or something of that sort?

GQ: Well I want to get into producing I mean thats like a natural transitition for a dj but the rapping thing just aint me…But I can still get in the booth and do my thing on the mic

ForTheCritics.com: You’ve seen the city transition from a low activity music scene to have a few people that are starting to put the city on…Where do you feel Pittsburgh stands in the big scheme of things?

GQ: I think if PGH focused on being what PGH is about this movement could be alot bigger. You have a lot of people trying to sound like something else and that aint what sets us apart. We know what Pittsburgh souds like and what we act like. We have our own thing and we shouldnt fit into what everybody else does. You have some rappers here sounding like Gucci then u have some with a more Mobb Deep, New York kinda flow…BE THE BURGH!!!!!

ForTheCritics.com: Where is your favorite place to DJ in the city? or better yet what are your favorite type of crowds to DJ for?

GQ: Really don’t have a preference but my favorite crowd is that crowd that wants to take it everwhere, old school, trap music, reggae, r&b

ForTheCritics.com: Outside of DJing, on air and in the clubs…What else do you having going on? what else helps you get away?

GQ: Man thats my life but im thinking of dabbling in some production tho

ForTheCritics.com: I think one of the more important topics in the city right now is WAMO closing and the direction of music in Pittsburgh…What do you think WAMO closing means for the city?

GQ: It means a huge voice is lost. It means that people that didnt respect the station or understand that radio is a business will understand now. Not having an urban station is gonna have a domino effect on the whole town, promoters,club owners and artists are gonna have to go way harder now

ForTheCritics.com: Being one of the voices of Pittsburgh music through Wamo, What do you think it takes for an artist to get their music on the radio or even played in a club?

GQ: What seperates those records from what doesn’t get played? You gotta build a buzz before u even bring music to a radio station because again radio is a business, not a talent show and the artist we’ve supported in the past did just that, Wiz, S Money, Crave etc. Just because u make a song u consider hot doesnt mean it actually is. Now on one hand I respect the fact you made it but as an artist you should respect the fact that everyone has an opinion and it may be hot to you, your producer and your friends but it might not cut it anywhere else

ForTheCritics.com: As a DJ, you pretty much have to play who’s hot but personally…Who are some of your favorite artists? Locally and just in general…

GQ: Wiz Khalifa goes hard and always has. Juliano”s beats are that fire, Joe Beast is still that nigga, S. Money’s swag is outrageous. Freezie has a kinda energy that artists in the industry can’t keep up with and Boaz is a PGH verion of Nas so man there are people here that can do it.

ForTheCritics.com: On another note…We found out that you have ambitions of being a comedian, How is that working out for you?

GQ: LOL, Im writing jokes all the time and I’ll eventualy jump out there and really do it. Check me out on facebook i go hard…lol facebook.com/GQ Fromerie and If you have ur shirt off fellas im not gonna be your friend

ForTheCritics.com: Any final words or anything you’de like to say?

GQ: All my rappers, singers, producers and Dj’s just keep working hard and working smart and remember if you prepared you never have to get ready. Also red kool-aid is the best flavor…