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…

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Searching for an Outlet

In every city you’ll find new artists grinding. You’ll also hear them scream that they’re the best in the city…Well Pittsburgh’s no different and we got to sit down and talk with Rell Mac, an upcoming talent out of the Garfield section of Pittsburgh. Here’s the conversation we had with Mac about music, politics and how it feels to be Searching for an Outlet in a city that’s losing it’s biggest voice for Hip Hop

ForTheCritics.com: What’s the inspiration behind the music you create?

Rell Mac: My family is my inspiration behind my music helping the Beenafactors get into a good situation drives me to make good music. My e Beenafactors family (J-Brown, Geo, Amen, MV, and AO) their my inspiration they keep me humble and keep me sharp we always have a lil lyrical exercise to make sure everyone is where they should be if not better that inspires me. My dude that passed away George “Killa” Kyles I know he’s looking down and that inspires me to make good music and strive to be the best.

ForTheCritics.com: Besides the Beenafactor family keeping you inspired how do you keep that motivation with the state of the game the way it is currently

Rell Mac: I stay motivated by being around people that understand good music, that lets me know there are poeple who still understand it out there. And people that want to make good music, like I’m one of those people that grew up on Classic albums such as: illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Ready to Die, OB4CL, ect and I want my name being brought up in the conversation when those artist are named. I want my music to be remembered, I want people to play my music 10 yrs later and still value it I want to make timeless music thats what keeps me going and inspires me

ForTheCritics.com: Who were some of your biggest influences in not just hip-hop, but music?

Rell Mac: My biggest hip-hop influences would have to be the late 80’s and 90’s music cuz thats when I feel in love with hip-hop. From Daddy Cane, Rakim, Kool G, NWA, The Bad Boy Era, The Rocafella Era, The Death Row Era. Other than hip-hop I would have to say “The oldies but goodies” such as, Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, Mike Jackson, music during that time cuz growning up in the household I grew up in thats what you heard. Sunday morning ya moms down stairs cleaning and she’s jamming to the oldies, you just learn to love them as you get older.

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