I first heard DJ Lost Soul's music a couple of years back, maybe less. But I remembered that this guy was doing something different from the rest of the South Asian DJs I was getting CDs from. I absorbed that knowledge and kind of put it on the back of my mind. But recently, I'd been hearing a lot more of DJ Lost Soul, sort of like the theme from Jaws, this guy keeps getting closer and closer to something. What that something is, I'll let you figure out.

Khalid Ilahi: DJ Lost Soul - The South Asian Sensation - Thats what we keep hearing 50-Cent, Ashanti and others say through-out your mix cd. Can you tell us how you hooked up with these giants of Hip Hop?
DJ Lost Soul: I hook up with them in various ways. My man Waji who produces the nationally syndicated Big Tigger radio show was the first one to introduce me and get artists to holla at me. DJ Xclusive, who has already been known for some time introduced me to a lot of people as well. That was all back when I put out Lost Soul's Part 2, from there I just expanded. It's all about networking and getting your tapes out to people who count. It's getting a lot easier to get artists on my tapes now. Sometimes we get these things recorded at the radio station, a few times backstage at concerts, and sometimes the labels just send it to me. I remember Xclusive and I were DJ'ing this concert at the MCI Center w/ alot of different artists including P Diddy and the whole Bad Boy. Puffy's DJ - DJ 4-Five didn't have any of his Biggie records, so I let him use mine. I was sitting there chillin' in their dressing room with Puffy looking in the mirror and Mr. Cheeks holding a huge bag of weed. You take those opportunities and milk them. I made a lot of contacts that night. One thing I noticed is that some people (i.e. some fellow Indians) listen to my CD and are like how did he get those artists to say that, they don't think a South Asian has the means to get that so they question or doubt it. It's funny to me because there is no way you can fake that stuff, if you could, I would have so much exclusive stuff on my tapes, it would be ridiculous.

KI: What would you say is the biggest hurdle in your way in terms of reaching the masses, the mainstream so to speak?
DJ LS: To reach the masses, you need to be able to have your product available for them to listen to. Distribution is the key thing. As far as mixtapes go, there are a lot of DJs putting out tapes. 3/4's aren't really DJs, they are more like mixtape personalities. The scene is flooded, anyone with connections to get music fast and a voice can put out a mixtape. The thing that separates InstantNoiz (DJ Xclusive & myself) is that we got the newest joints, but we also mix, scratch, and actually DJ. Some people don't want to hear that, but the way we do it, I think most can feel it. Another "hurdle" is that I'm not from NY, and I'm not black, so some people are quick to dismiss what I'm doing. There will always be people who discriminate and hate, but I try not to pay any attention (to that). As far as on the production side of things, like I said before, we got a production team called InstantNoiz. It consists of DJ Xclusive and myself... he's black, I'm indian, but it makes no difference, our styles work really well together. Xclusive has been in the mainstream for a while now. He was the Ruff Ryders tour DJ, been on BET Rap City, and been holding down radio for some time. We have been really working hard in producing these beats, and we got plenty right now that we are really proud of. The mixtapes and radio stuff has given us a way better oppurtunity to shop our beats to the labels and artists we want to work with. However, the hurdle with production, just like mixtape DJs, is that there are a lot of producers out there. We just got to try to stay one step ahead, and catch some breaks. Its very close, we can all feel it... a lot of people seem to be kind of interested in what we are producing.

KI: How long have you been DJing and what got you started?
DJ LS: Well I been wanting to DJ since I was like 9 or 10. I would scratch my Dad's turntable and ruin his records. DJing just always interested me, but with no money to get equipment, you can only go so far. I finally got my tables and a mixer at like 15. So I been really DJing for like about 6 years. I just turned 21. It seems like a lot longer though. I been putting out mixtapes since High School, I had a whole other series before the Lost Soul series. They were mostly blend tapes. A lot of younger DJs I see that are just beginning, are really starting to DJ for the wrong reasons. Its funny though, being a DJ doesn't really mean sh*t anymore... you go to any given state and every other person you ask is most likely a DJ, a producer, a singer or a something. Whatever the case, InstantNoiz is definitely not your run of the mill DJ Production team, trust.

KI: Why did you choose Hip Hop as your genre over House and Trance? Do you not like other genres?
DJ LS: I grew up on hip hop. I also grew up on listening to my parents listen to Hindi music. However, my whole neighborhood listened to Hip Hop. I related to it, more so then to any other music. I wasn't black, but I sure wasn't white... Hip Hop spoke to me. My sister used to listen to LL Cool J, RUN-DMC, Rob Bass, Digital Underground, all that stuff from the late 80's. Hip Hop has always influenced me. Hip Hop is International now, and record labels, managers and artists are realizing that. That's why a lot of them come to me or don't turn me down when I need something. Its funny, a lot of house and trance heads look down on people who listen to Hip Hop because Hip Hop has become so commericial. It used to be the underground, but now everyone listens to it. I got no problem with other types of music, in fact I get tired of hearing the same Hip Hop song on radio 24/7 and switch to a Rock station. Some of our beats have a heavy Rock influence, while others are really ethnic. Regardless, whatever type of music you relate to, is cool with me. I can play some House and Trance, but Hip Hop, Reggae, International, etc. is what I really know, it's what I grew up on.

"...A lot of DJs who get into the club scene stop practicing. I practice everyday..."

KI: What's your opinion of the South Asian scene? The party scene, the music scene, in general. Say whatever you want, don't hold back.
DJ LS: The South Asian scene is getting bigger, and I love that. Stereotypes are being broken everyday. I can't wait to see what our kids will be able to do and what new opportunites will be offered to them. However, I wish more South Asians supported fellow South Asians. It's like if they see someone doing something, their first reaction is to hate on it. It's like we are programmed to think that fellow South Asians aren't supposed to be in the limelight. I meet a lot of people that swear they are the sh*t, and that they are doing big things. Those people are quick to judge and hate, but I see nothing coming from them. Of course, the majority of people are supportive and want to see people succeed. As far as the party scene... well its the party scene. A lot of the parties I have been DJing at, are not "South Asian parties" but I definitely have done, and continue to do my share of Indian parties. Some people complain that these Indian parties are the same old thing again and again. I feel where they are coming from, and agree to a certain point. However, the job of a DJ is to make people dance, and get people's minds off whatever worries they have. I'm not really there to change their whole outlook on life and music. If I can introduce them to something new, without ruining the mood, I'm going to play it. If the record is hot I'm going to play it. I definitely feel like I bring my own flavor to whatever I do. I love DJs who have skills - mixing, scratching, getting the party hype. I think practice is very important. A lot of DJs who get into the club scene stop practicing. I practice everyday, I'm always trying to learn new things and get more precise on things I already know. I see the South Asian party scene growing and I think its good for all of us. There are always some promoters/snakes you run into, but I let them do their thing, while I do mine. A lot of promoters big up their own DJs, or bring an out of state DJ in and think that they are better because of the fact that they are from out of state, that's all good, I used to get pissed but I bypassed that sh*t, it don't effect me no more. In addition, there are always some DJs you probably think should practice a little more, but I can't knock them, cause they are having fun. I haven't really been exposed to all the different South Asian scenes throughout the US because as far as the Indian scene is concerned, I haven't wanted to travel. But with my new CDs out and stuff, I am talking to various promoters to get me in other cities so I can reach other South Asians.

I seen some of the inside aspects of the music industry. Its very shady. Most people are out to make money, so they do what they know will make it. Not too many labels are willing to take chances. The Indian influence on Hip Hop is definitely there, but a lot of people consider it a phase. I think a lot of the elements will be there longer than most people expect. Even with that, in the US, not many labels are willing to sign a non-black or non-white artist. You got to show them you have an audience that would equal money for them. However, good music speaks for itself, if you have a hot product there is always hope that someone will see that and expose it to the masses.

KI: Ofcourse being second generation Desis, we are moving away from the stereotypes we're known for. But even still, what do your parents and family think about what you're doing? Do they mock or support you? Is this your full time gig, or what else does DJ Lost Soul do?
DJ LS: My family is definitely supportive. I got parents that are not your typical, be a doctor or lawyer or we will be very disappointed type. Their main thing is if I am happy or not. I'm not dumb though, I am definitely trying to do my thing musically, but I also am in College. I attend UMBC. I am very serious about this music thing we are doing, but I also know most people don't make it. However, we are very focussed... we just finished building our own studio.

KI: What are you currently working on, what can we expect from LS in the upcoming months?
DJ LS: We are working on an InstantNoiz compilation album, that will feature our production and a whole lot of different artists. Most of the artists are not South Asian, but I am definitely going to get some South Asians on it. The primary purpose of the album is to showcase what we can do. A lot of labels wanted to hear Rappers on our beats, so thats what we are doing. We got an offer from a label based in NY to distribute it, but we are still trying to figure some things out. Also, I'll have my next CD Lost Soul's Part 6 out in August. Hopefully also have a South Asian Hip Hop Xperience Part 2 out sometime in August or September. If you get a chance to listen to South Asian Hip Hop Xperience Part 1, check out Raz. Raz is part of my crew, and he is the illest South Asian MC I have heard so far, and I've heard many. The cat is only 18 years old but he is mad talented. You all need to definitely look out for him and his debut Album/EP. I also got a Reggae Mix coming and Xclusive is dropping his newest mix real soon. We're always working on something. Definitely check out DJLostSoul.com, which will be up and running soon.

KI: Any final thoughts for the DesiClub.com readers worldwide?
DJ LS: Shoutouts to DesiClub.com for holding down the community and providing an outlet for South Asians worldwide. If you haven't heard any of my CDs yet, definitely get a copy and check it out. Log on to www.djlostsoul.com - the site will be finished I'm told sometime very soon. Hopefully by the time you are reading this. Definitely support these South Asian artists out there and give them a reason to continue to do what they are doing.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Khalid an e-mail @ Khalid Ilahi.