This is a a live recording at WNBOT at DaytonHipHopRadio.com.

DJ Apryl Reign Live @ Selecta’s Choice January 28 2011

By Mildred C. Fallen

Photograph by Jonathan Willis

James Brown, Weather Report, Nina Simone, Phoebe Snow, Funkadelic, Eagles: That’s what I was raised on—jazz, soul, and funk, listening to classic rock stations, and getting funny looks [from friends] when I knew the songs!

My father had his own band called Gam. Their sound was a mixture of glam rock and funk. Looking back, they were ahead of their time, as far as their sound and how much they practiced. Today, [I don’t] feel confined to a certain genre because of the exposure that he gave me, so I think that influenced a lot.

I really had to study because I hadn’t been in a battle in a very long time. I had to really focus and to watch videos. This winner that I’m watching—what am I going to do to beat this person? I knew I had to dig into the bag a little bit. Just knowing the other DJs and what they’d probably play—I knew I couldn’t play that. At the same time, I couldn’t totally lose the crowd, either.

Get into the top three—that was really my goal. I wasn’t expecting to win. I knew I wasn’t going to walk
away empty-handed—I knew I was gonna have some money—but not $1,000! I just wanted the day to get over
with. Because, you know, it’s stressful. And now that I won, it’s still stressful. It’s like a three month, four month long continuation of stress!

It felt like I represented for [Elementz]—like “Hey, this is our teacher, and she won this event and represented
us.” It perked their interests more and one of the students even wants to get into a battle. It was an inspiration for them.

Vital Stats

Triple Threat
DJ-ing aside, Apryl MCs and produces hip-hop tracks. Currently she’s working with producer/mentor, Boogie Bang. “He helped pair me and another MC, Mahogany; we have a project called Mahogany Reign.” Their CD is due late 2010.

Record Player
Apryl’s eclectic cross-genre sets fare best at hip dives like Northside Tavern and Baba Budan’s. “My favorite venues are wherever I’m allowed to play what I want and not be constricted to one particular set of music,” she says.

World Domination
In Denver, she says, “I’m still going to have to flip it up, step it up, raise the bar even more, because some of these folks that are in the competition are like four-time world champions.” If Apryl wins the U.S. national finals on October 7, she will go to the international finals in Paris and face contestants from nine other countries.

Originally published in the October 2010 issue.

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

A Yo,, come check me out at the this months Elementz Showcase.   Ill Poetic will be putting it down mic, and The Elementz Top Performers will definitely be in the building!

Elementz Youth Center

Ill Poetic

I’m gearing up for the finals in Denver, it should be fun. Hit me up if your going to be in town.

Stay tuned I’ll be updating frequently.

Check out these pics from the Cincinnati Thre3Style.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►

Thanks to SelfDiploma.Com

Originally posted at Metromix Cincinnati