The elements of Hip-Hop -- kids, you should know them by now. The MC, breakin’, graffiti, and the DJ. Back in the day, the DJ was more important than the MC. The DJ was the master of ceremonies, the mover of the crowds. From DJ Kool Herc to Grandmaster Flash to Kid Capri to DJ Jazzy Jeff – the DJ put the groove to the mood that flooded your airwaves.
With that said – get familiar with DJ Clinton Sparks. Already named one of the top ten mixtape artists by Rolling Stone magazine, Sparks has been setting the mixtape world ablaze with his various mixtape series and is commanding fans to Touch the Sky. This mixtape pairs DJ Clinton Sparks with the three-time Grammy award winning MC, Kanyé West. Mr. West gets to rest on this one as all the production duties are handled by the prolific Clinton Sparks.
The album contains guest appearances from Pharell, D-Block, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Slim Thug, Dipset, Freeway, Nas and plenty of others.
Sparks, ever the vigilant perfectionist, strives to continue his trend of hard work by preparing the release of his first full-length album, “Get Familiar, Vol. 1” for later release. HHDX.com gets a chance to speak with the 2005 Justo’s Annual Mixtape Award winner as he discusses the mixtape, Justo’s passing, and why he won’t do a Kanyé West-inspired Rolling Stone cover for his next mixtape.
First things first – how did you and Kanye come together to do this mixtape?
CS: Basically, I have a good relationship with the G.O.O.D. music camp. I was coming out with the mixtape and they enjoyed the idea. They were basically game to be involved in the project from the jump. I produced the entire album. After that, I flew up to Toronto. There Kanyé and I got together and we banged out the breaks, the skits and whatnot.
In your opinion, what do you think was the highlight of the mixtape?
CS: In my opinion… the highlight for me would have to be… umm… I’d have to say it was the D-Block record because they’re going to use it to be the lead single for their new album that comes out in March on Koch Records.
What do you think about 50 Cent’s impact within the mixtape game?
CS: Honestly, I think that 50 put a chokehold on the mixtape game when it came to promoting himself. He built his own brand through G-Unit. I don’t think people are like, “Word, mixtapes from 50!” Moreso they’re knowledgeable about who and what is out there. Especially in New York, where there is that culture of the mixtape awards and all that comes with it.
For those who may or may not be true Hip-Hop heads or whatever, describe how much the lost of DJ Justo Faison has affected the game?
CS: It’s definitely a lot of people that had benefited from his hard work. The effort that he had put into those mixtape awards was genuine. It’s like the Grammy’s for the DJ. It’s the standard of where you want to be in your career. It legitimizes you to the Hip-Hop community. The lost… or should I say the hardest thing to deal with is that he’s no longer physically here with us. But those who have been touched by his spirit know that he’ll never be lost amongst us in Hip-Hop. As long as the Justo Mixtape Awards continue, he’ll still be a force within our hearts. No one can ever replace what he’s done.
In another interview, you went into detail about your nervousness of today and tomorrow. No offense to anyone, but did Justo’s passing add more fuel to the fire so that you can accomplish your goals?
CS: No… not really. On a business level, Justo’s passing didn’t affect me in anyway. I was more concerned about his family and his son. I was more so worried about Justo the man, not the DJ. I knew him on a personal level. I know his son and his girl. I know that he’s in a better place. I just feel that we should honor the man that did so much for so many people.
I can dig that. One of your goals that’s soon to be accomplished is Get Familiar Vol. 1. Why don’t you tell the people what they should be expecting?
CS: Of course, I’m working on that now. That album has got a crazy record on there with Ghostface and Raekwon. We’re going to redo one of the biggest records in Hip-Hop. Featured on the album will be Busta Rhymes, Slim Thug, Talib Kweli, Juelz Santana, and a few others. As with the Touch the Sky mixtape, I’m working on producing the whole thing. Even right now, I’m talking to a few labels as to where this album can come out on and be distributed. Oh… also, I’m dropping a New Crack City mixtape with Busta Rhymes in a few months. There is a whole bunch of things that we’re working on. I just signed my syndication deal with Super Radio. Although, I’m already on 12 stations, they’re going to take it across the nation. It’s going to be crazy.
I am also involved with the Scarface video game. I’m one of the stars in the game. In it, I play an undercover cop. I am also in the Saint’s Row video. One of the stations that you can listen to in the game is, of course, Smash Time Radio.
I don’t know if too many people would know this, but you produced the joint with B.I.G. and Bob Marley for “Biggie: Duets”. How did that come about?
CS: Conrad Demanche he’s the A&R at Bad Boy… He wanted to know what I could do for the record. When I went in there, I didn’t want to just take old vocals and slap it on a beat. I wanted it to be eventful. I was thinking about it from Ms. Wallace’s point of view, and that I should put him on there with another legend. After that, I pitched it to Bad Boy -- then I worked on it for 10 hours. I let them hear the final product and they loved it. That was the way that it came about. When I thought about that Bob Marley sample, it tied in because of their Jamaican heritage. I just wanted the people to think about it before even hearing it. Like, “Yo, you heard that B.I.G. joint with Marley?!” – that was raw. I did other tracks with B.I.G., grouping him up with artists who had passed on – Aaliyah, Rick James, and others. Bad Boy was really feeling the Bob Marley joint because the rest they didn’t want.
That song was really, really touching for those who listened to and respected both artists.
I definitely got to shout out Bad Boy. All I do is come up with things. The industry is so narrow-minded. All they want is the duplicate of what’s already out. This is the first time really that someone came out and put faith on the joint. Every interview that Voletta [Wallace] did, she said that that was her favorite joint off of the album.
What have been the ups, the downs, and the perks of your DJ’ing career?
CS: The perks are that I get to travel the world. In two weeks, I’ll be in Paris, Switzerland, all over. I get to express myself however I want with this job. It’s not even a job. I am Hip-Hop and it is me. It’s not even work to me, really. I never work a day in my life. I get to meet new people, check out new cities, and I get to experience their life. I don’t really see any down side to the gig. The upside is that I get to work with people that I’ve admired and that I’ve always looked up to. I did Kanyé West’s Grammy party. I did a Versace party with Jermaine Dupri. The whole place was packed with stars and when do you get to do things like that on the regular? I did it with 15 platinum artists. It was an awesome opportunity. Sometimes it’s too good to be true. I am very grateful for everything that I have received. I know that it can go as easily as it came. I never get comfortable. I just keep working.
On your website – ClintonSparks.com – you also list your MySpace.com page. Do you really check out your page? Is it a viable resource, if so – how?
CS: Yeah, I’m not super fluent with the Myspace situation. I did it because everyone was asking me about being on it. I try to respond to everyone on there.
Do you think your fear has been a key to your success? Or would you attribute it to something else?
CS: I think that it’s the main driving key to my success. I am always working hard. If I stop working hard then I feel like I’m a loser [laugh]. I am super hard on myself. I am a workaholic. It’s almost to a fault. I almost gave myself an ulcer.
Do you ever think that there is such a thing called a “limit”?
CS: Nah… nah… My family thinks that I’ll still be on the grind. It’s that typical cliché. Once you came from nothing, you’ll do everything in your power to make sure that you have something. And that you’ll have it for the rest of your life and will be able to pass it down along the line to those who come after you.
With Kanyé helming the mixtape and his boss being dragged into a situation with Cam’Ron – do you have a particular stance on the beef?
CS: Nah. Not at all. Just as long as it stays on wax then it’s all good.
What else is next in the works for Clinton Sparks? Will the next mixtape cover be your interpretation of the Passions of the Christ too?
CS: Nah… [laughs]. There’s the touring. Be on the lookout for Busta’s -- New Crack City. Also, there’s my other website -- Mixunit.com. I’m trying to get Smash Time Radio everywhere. Nah, doing a re-make of that Rolling Stones cover with Kanyé wasn’t in the plan. Nice question though [laughs].
If there is one thing that you cannot stand – what would it be?
CS: Ignorance.
Lastly, if there is anything that you want to say to your fans, Myspace peeps, and our readers here at HHDX.com – what do you want to say?
CS: Hell yeah man, thank you for anyone that’s ever supported me and my career. Thank you to anyone who has been bumping my CDs. Even the people that even cared enough to read this part of the interview. I don’t take anything for granted. I respect the opinion of everyone around me. Those who like it and even those that don’t like it, I still respect. I am proud of HHDX.com for continuing this Hip-Hop movement.
With that said – get familiar with DJ Clinton Sparks. Already named one of the top ten mixtape artists by Rolling Stone magazine, Sparks has been setting the mixtape world ablaze with his various mixtape series and is commanding fans to Touch the Sky. This mixtape pairs DJ Clinton Sparks with the three-time Grammy award winning MC, Kanyé West. Mr. West gets to rest on this one as all the production duties are handled by the prolific Clinton Sparks.
The album contains guest appearances from Pharell, D-Block, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Slim Thug, Dipset, Freeway, Nas and plenty of others.
Sparks, ever the vigilant perfectionist, strives to continue his trend of hard work by preparing the release of his first full-length album, “Get Familiar, Vol. 1” for later release. HHDX.com gets a chance to speak with the 2005 Justo’s Annual Mixtape Award winner as he discusses the mixtape, Justo’s passing, and why he won’t do a Kanyé West-inspired Rolling Stone cover for his next mixtape.
First things first – how did you and Kanye come together to do this mixtape?
CS: Basically, I have a good relationship with the G.O.O.D. music camp. I was coming out with the mixtape and they enjoyed the idea. They were basically game to be involved in the project from the jump. I produced the entire album. After that, I flew up to Toronto. There Kanyé and I got together and we banged out the breaks, the skits and whatnot.
In your opinion, what do you think was the highlight of the mixtape?
CS: In my opinion… the highlight for me would have to be… umm… I’d have to say it was the D-Block record because they’re going to use it to be the lead single for their new album that comes out in March on Koch Records.
What do you think about 50 Cent’s impact within the mixtape game?
CS: Honestly, I think that 50 put a chokehold on the mixtape game when it came to promoting himself. He built his own brand through G-Unit. I don’t think people are like, “Word, mixtapes from 50!” Moreso they’re knowledgeable about who and what is out there. Especially in New York, where there is that culture of the mixtape awards and all that comes with it.
For those who may or may not be true Hip-Hop heads or whatever, describe how much the lost of DJ Justo Faison has affected the game?
CS: It’s definitely a lot of people that had benefited from his hard work. The effort that he had put into those mixtape awards was genuine. It’s like the Grammy’s for the DJ. It’s the standard of where you want to be in your career. It legitimizes you to the Hip-Hop community. The lost… or should I say the hardest thing to deal with is that he’s no longer physically here with us. But those who have been touched by his spirit know that he’ll never be lost amongst us in Hip-Hop. As long as the Justo Mixtape Awards continue, he’ll still be a force within our hearts. No one can ever replace what he’s done.
In another interview, you went into detail about your nervousness of today and tomorrow. No offense to anyone, but did Justo’s passing add more fuel to the fire so that you can accomplish your goals?
CS: No… not really. On a business level, Justo’s passing didn’t affect me in anyway. I was more concerned about his family and his son. I was more so worried about Justo the man, not the DJ. I knew him on a personal level. I know his son and his girl. I know that he’s in a better place. I just feel that we should honor the man that did so much for so many people.
I can dig that. One of your goals that’s soon to be accomplished is Get Familiar Vol. 1. Why don’t you tell the people what they should be expecting?
CS: Of course, I’m working on that now. That album has got a crazy record on there with Ghostface and Raekwon. We’re going to redo one of the biggest records in Hip-Hop. Featured on the album will be Busta Rhymes, Slim Thug, Talib Kweli, Juelz Santana, and a few others. As with the Touch the Sky mixtape, I’m working on producing the whole thing. Even right now, I’m talking to a few labels as to where this album can come out on and be distributed. Oh… also, I’m dropping a New Crack City mixtape with Busta Rhymes in a few months. There is a whole bunch of things that we’re working on. I just signed my syndication deal with Super Radio. Although, I’m already on 12 stations, they’re going to take it across the nation. It’s going to be crazy.
I am also involved with the Scarface video game. I’m one of the stars in the game. In it, I play an undercover cop. I am also in the Saint’s Row video. One of the stations that you can listen to in the game is, of course, Smash Time Radio.
I don’t know if too many people would know this, but you produced the joint with B.I.G. and Bob Marley for “Biggie: Duets”. How did that come about?
CS: Conrad Demanche he’s the A&R at Bad Boy… He wanted to know what I could do for the record. When I went in there, I didn’t want to just take old vocals and slap it on a beat. I wanted it to be eventful. I was thinking about it from Ms. Wallace’s point of view, and that I should put him on there with another legend. After that, I pitched it to Bad Boy -- then I worked on it for 10 hours. I let them hear the final product and they loved it. That was the way that it came about. When I thought about that Bob Marley sample, it tied in because of their Jamaican heritage. I just wanted the people to think about it before even hearing it. Like, “Yo, you heard that B.I.G. joint with Marley?!” – that was raw. I did other tracks with B.I.G., grouping him up with artists who had passed on – Aaliyah, Rick James, and others. Bad Boy was really feeling the Bob Marley joint because the rest they didn’t want.
That song was really, really touching for those who listened to and respected both artists.
I definitely got to shout out Bad Boy. All I do is come up with things. The industry is so narrow-minded. All they want is the duplicate of what’s already out. This is the first time really that someone came out and put faith on the joint. Every interview that Voletta [Wallace] did, she said that that was her favorite joint off of the album.
What have been the ups, the downs, and the perks of your DJ’ing career?
CS: The perks are that I get to travel the world. In two weeks, I’ll be in Paris, Switzerland, all over. I get to express myself however I want with this job. It’s not even a job. I am Hip-Hop and it is me. It’s not even work to me, really. I never work a day in my life. I get to meet new people, check out new cities, and I get to experience their life. I don’t really see any down side to the gig. The upside is that I get to work with people that I’ve admired and that I’ve always looked up to. I did Kanyé West’s Grammy party. I did a Versace party with Jermaine Dupri. The whole place was packed with stars and when do you get to do things like that on the regular? I did it with 15 platinum artists. It was an awesome opportunity. Sometimes it’s too good to be true. I am very grateful for everything that I have received. I know that it can go as easily as it came. I never get comfortable. I just keep working.
On your website – ClintonSparks.com – you also list your MySpace.com page. Do you really check out your page? Is it a viable resource, if so – how?
CS: Yeah, I’m not super fluent with the Myspace situation. I did it because everyone was asking me about being on it. I try to respond to everyone on there.
Do you think your fear has been a key to your success? Or would you attribute it to something else?
CS: I think that it’s the main driving key to my success. I am always working hard. If I stop working hard then I feel like I’m a loser [laugh]. I am super hard on myself. I am a workaholic. It’s almost to a fault. I almost gave myself an ulcer.
Do you ever think that there is such a thing called a “limit”?
CS: Nah… nah… My family thinks that I’ll still be on the grind. It’s that typical cliché. Once you came from nothing, you’ll do everything in your power to make sure that you have something. And that you’ll have it for the rest of your life and will be able to pass it down along the line to those who come after you.
With Kanyé helming the mixtape and his boss being dragged into a situation with Cam’Ron – do you have a particular stance on the beef?
CS: Nah. Not at all. Just as long as it stays on wax then it’s all good.
What else is next in the works for Clinton Sparks? Will the next mixtape cover be your interpretation of the Passions of the Christ too?
CS: Nah… [laughs]. There’s the touring. Be on the lookout for Busta’s -- New Crack City. Also, there’s my other website -- Mixunit.com. I’m trying to get Smash Time Radio everywhere. Nah, doing a re-make of that Rolling Stones cover with Kanyé wasn’t in the plan. Nice question though [laughs].
If there is one thing that you cannot stand – what would it be?
CS: Ignorance.
Lastly, if there is anything that you want to say to your fans, Myspace peeps, and our readers here at HHDX.com – what do you want to say?
CS: Hell yeah man, thank you for anyone that’s ever supported me and my career. Thank you to anyone who has been bumping my CDs. Even the people that even cared enough to read this part of the interview. I don’t take anything for granted. I respect the opinion of everyone around me. Those who like it and even those that don’t like it, I still respect. I am proud of HHDX.com for continuing this Hip-Hop movement.
