DJ Suave

interview by TL Chester

DJ Suave out of Chicago, also known as the founder and executive director of Hip Hop ConnXion/Hip Hop Force dance troupes; visited Lexington , KY for a private show the weekend of October 12th. Hip Hop ConnXion was voted the best of dance in 2006. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YllCOKJgBI4)

As to what Suave refers to as the HHC family he is not only an entertainer working with such performers as P. Diddy and Shakira, but also a key role model in the lives of some youths. Suave performs through another company known as A-Z entertainment as well acting as a dancer, DJ, and MC. Suave and I had an opportunity to sit down after his long night of entertaining and my writing. We met at his hotel room in Louisville where the show Let’s Make A Deal plays in the background as he attempts to record sound bytes for a dancer of his based out of Indiana to pick up from the front desk in the morning.

Though it is approximately 2:00 A.M. and I’m tired from recent jet-setting. Suave is tired too, and neither of us can help but have a morbid sense of humor about the show’s annoying antics and, worse, the people of America who can stand watching it. We discuss whether such people should be applauded for having the ability to see past the audacious personalities of show contestants or otherwise given that they may be of the same nature themselves. Meanwhile, as a happy intrude to our lack of slumber and obnoxious show contestants we have the subtle occasional break of “Oh, yea” and “Get your groove on” sound bytes playing in the background as he plays back the copied CD.

While I am not sure photo ops will go so well for a hotel room and wanting to show Suave the better part of KY I decided to take him through the Highlands and to Fourth Street Live. Upon on our arrival I was pleased to see that as I had suspected the entertainment center of the city was well in force with party goers already ripened for the night and displaying it as such; gladly I announce to Suave that this is the place alright. I decided to settle on a place called the Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge since it is most fitting given the relationship between Bourbon and Kentucky, as well as the fact that it is a more sleek and quiet place where the more modern crowd of Fourth Street seems to dwell. We sit down with our beverages and begin the interview.

TL: What do you think is the biggest misconception about you?
Suave: Besides the misconceptions about black men being thugs, or that I am Jamaican, there really aren’t any, I am an open book and I say what I am thinking.
TL: How long have you been in the U.S. and what brought you here?
Suave: Since 93’, I came here for professional soccer actually; I have been playing all my life. Everyone in England plays soccer. I came to the airport in Chicago with my bag in my hand and no where to go.
TL: How did you get started in this business?
Suave: I danced in England for a DJ called Pizzazz before I came to the U.S.
TL: Who has influenced you in dance, what dancers have really left a mark with you over time?
Suave: Adam Ant, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Bing Crosby, Jean Kelly and Turbo who is known for breaking.
Suave: I’m hungry; you said they had food here?
TL: Yea, just ask for a menu.
Suave tried to find his way out of our curtain room, as the rooms in this lounge are separated by shears for ambiance. It’s somewhat amusing since he can not find the break in the curtains.
Suave: I asked, they said they are done with food orders for the night.
TL: Well, that makes sense it is about 3:30 in the morning.
TL: What DJ would you say is memorable to you?
Suave: Bad Boy Bill who does work for P. Diddy and Shakira.
TL: What has been your favorite gig so far?
Suave: Opening for Chris Brown or in front of 66,000 people by invitation at the B96 bash.
TL: Which form of performing do you do more, DJ work or dancing?
Suave: I do more dancing because it took off more so then the DJ work.
TL: Have you been to KY before?
Suave: I have been to Louisville before to do DJ work in Louisville alongside Dave of The Real World (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_World:_New_Orleans) who does DJ work as well.
TL: What type of clientele do you have for your shows?
Suave: For DJ work and dancing it could be a hole in the wall to a five-star event.
TL: What type of music do you like?
Suave: I like any genre as long as it is good, music like Teddy Geiger, 3 doors down, etc.
TL: How many shows annually do you do?
Suave: I do about 60 shows annually.
TL: What do you have planned upon your arrival to Chicago?
Suave: I have shows immediately the same day I get back.
TL: Do you have any award nominations right now?
Suave: Currently I am nominated for BTTA, for choreography in the category of hip hop/jazz.
As the bass in the lounge grows louder playing a bit of some old school, we stop chatting briefly as Suave points out to me that just past our shears there is some dancing going on by the always entertaining crowd. We watch while I take down my beverage and think of my next questions.
TL: What kind of social responsibility do you have?
Suave: I teach, I do motivational speaking, I participate in D.A.R.E programs, I do education performances and I try to leave a mark with children forever.
TL: Do you ever get tired, as in; do you ever feel like your putting the face on when you’re not in the mood?
Suave: Never.
TL: How is that possible?
Suave: When you’re speaking in front of children they know if you put the face on, and it does something you, you get in the mood; you want to be that person and not put it on. With all those eyes on you, you don’t want to give them a put on.
TL: What are your fears?
Suave: GYE-NYAME.
TL: Come again?
Suave: It’s African, from Ghana actually. It’s an Adinkra symbol, I fear nothing but God. Except God. I have it as a tattoo.
TL: Isn’t that a symbol on alters in the Catholic Church also?
Suave: Yes.
TL: What is your philosophy on life?
Suave: My Company is about today not yesterday. Making a new life, leadership, not fighting the odds but getting the tools.
TL: Where is all your family, do you have any siblings?
Suave: My family is in London, E17 north east of England, in Walthamstow. It is a town in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. I am an only child.
TL: What is your love life like?
Suave: When you are looking you won’t find it. I am not forcing anything. I am enjoying life and letting it come as it may. People have different qualities and there are different expectations as a result of that.
TL: What are your goals?
Suave: For my company to grow, not in size necessarily but in status, to continue to be patient and strong willed.
TL: Any specific plans of action?
Suave: No, just taking is step-by-step and one day at a time. I mean I came here to play professional soccer and look at me now.
TL: Give me a quote.
Suave: “It’s not about who you beat, it’s about who you inspire.” I want that on my tombstone.
TL: Sounds good. Let’s take some pictures.

-TLC