The mogul has played an important role in Hip Hop for decades. Legends like Russell Simmons, Master P, Puff Daddy & Jay Z all lay out the example on how to use your talents in every way possible and pull other people to the forefront as well. They exhibit how proper planning and having as many ventures as you can proves to be profitable and influential. Coming up today is a young mogul in the making named YRS Jerzy (pronounced Why-Are-Es), who has taken his platform as a DJ and built upon it in a way that has him set for amazing things. The New Jersey-born figure balances DJing while still taking part in the growing media website Hip-HopVibe.com, his touring company and managing other talent. To learn about all he has going on and what fuels him we reached out to get some feedback. Head below for our full conversation.
You grew up in Jersey, later moving to Charlotte. I know how one’s environment can shape them as I too have lived in multiple states. How would you say both areas helped to make you the man you are?
Growing up in New Jersey was a great experience. I always had different types of people around me and was exposed to different cultures. I got along with everyone and just have always been doing my own thing which I still do today. Moving to Charlotte was different for me. I was always living in New Jersey and had rarely even been out south. But I got accustomed to it quickly and met up with genuine people that I still stay in contact with to this day. Living in both areas really got me motivated in several different ways to be successful and do what I do now.
You’ve been DJ’ing since a pretty young age with your notable presence beginning at age 17. Were you ever apprehensive when it came to pursuing your music career?
I always knew that I wanted to be in the entertainment industry one day or another and I got in basically by working on mixtapes, etc. I was never nervous or anything to get to work and make things happen. Now that I am a mogul figure I look at things a lot different and see the industry for what it is. I have several things I’m focusing on this year and starting to see everything I’m working for happen.
What motivated you to start?
When I started DJing I just got into it because that’s what I liked to do at one point in time. As I got older and really started learning the business I felt like there were more opportunities for me and I took another route. I motivated myself I knew if others could do it then I could also do my own thing and change the game with all I have to offer. I really just got up one day and decided to get to work and make things happen. I’ve seen too many people fail at getting into this industry and that made me really study and learn this industry in and out.
Who are some of the DJ’s you studied to help craft your skill? What about them stood out in your mind?
Always studied DJs like Funk Master Flex, Drama etc. the way they ran the game was amazing and there is just so much that made them unique. They were breaking artists just off of what they thought were hot. The best way for me to say what stood out from them would be their own unique hustles.
What is your role in Hip Hop Vibe?
I have been working with Hip Hop Vibe for about 5 years now and we have been getting things to a bigger level with everything we have going on. I do a little bit of everything to behind the scenes work helping to set up interviews, partnerships with companies etc. You will be hearing about a lot that we do in the very near future. It’s only a matter of time the way Hip Hop Vibe is growing that the world will be in tuned to everything we offer. If you haven’t checked out the site go to Hip-HopVibe.Com.
You’ve worked with quite a few artists throughout the years in various ways. Who would you say stands out as some of your favorite people to work with and why?
Everyone I worked with was unique I can’t really say that I have favorites I just like people with a drive and ambition to really take things to the next level. I’m grateful to just be working with great talent and want to see everyone I work with take their careers to the top.
You now manage two amazing artists Nephlon Don & Slide Dillinger. How did you come across those two?
I met up with NephLon Don through a DJ based in Raleigh. He introduced us and we put out a couple projects that weren’t doing the numbers we wanted it to do. Then a couple months later with him being apart of Royce Rizzy and Madeintyo’s “Private Club Records” all the growth from his previous tracks starting coming up. Now he is doing thousands of plays and downloads. I really watched his career rise and rise and we have a lot more work to do. NephLon Don will also be on the Philadelphia date of Pusha T’s up and coming your in March.
As with Slide Dillinger we went to school together and that’s how we met. That’s been my bro from day one. Any where you see me out of town you’ll most likely seen him with me and vice versa. We all have goals of getting to the top of the industry and that’s where we’ll be slowly but surely.
Each artist does have their own star quality. NephLon Don has a very street and gritty sound where Slide Dillinger tends to let his topics vary and try some different things. It creates for a good balance between the two. Was it intentional for you to find that balance when you searched for people to endorse?
For Neph I know that he will be able to take over the streets easily the way his sound is orchestrated just makes you want to turn up. He has a lot in the works including a mixtape, more visuals , single releases etc. NephLon Don isn’t your average trap artist as well he also can play the piano and can change it up and switch into another style. With trap music in a high demand he really just a wants to focus on making trap music for now.
Slide Dillinger had always been very versatile from the beginning of his career. He just makes great music that people can feel and seeing him perform live is a whole other thing from hearing his music. Slide has a great live performance presence at every show I look around and see how the crowd reacts to him. It’s like they don’t want him to leave the stage. That alone just shows that he’s meant for the industry we just have to keep pushing towards the top.
Speaking of live performances, the three of you are set to embark on the “New Kings” tour March 24th that will take you primarily through the Midwest and West Coast. Could you share some more details about that?
The “New Kings” Tour is going to be one for the record books and I feel like this will be one of the most successful tours that I have put together so far. We have some great acts involved in this tour and we will be going places I’ve never been to so that’s also exciting as well.
What about heading out on tour excites you the most?
I just like to travel and see the world while making this a full career that pays all the bills. Everything about touring is a great experience, I just like everything about it. We meet a lot of people on the road and network everyday as we should. There’s a lot that goes on during a tour in front and behind the camera.
Without giving away too much what can the people who attend these shows expect their experience to be?
You can expect some great shows. In every city everywhere we go people show us love. It’s just all around a great feeling to have people recognizing your work. We are always laid back and have a chill crowd there are never any problems when we are on the road. Just all focused and ready to get to the next level.
Are any other guests a possibility to appear at any shows or will you three be holding down the fort alone?
We have Yung Reason going on tour with us who has a couple major features in the works. He recently dropped a single featuring Tory Lanez that’s doing great numbers right now. You might see more special acts coming out on tour with us you just have to follow up with us all via social media.
Will there be any new music performed or will it mostly be the songs we’re already accustomed to?
There will be one or two new tracks in these sets but mostly tracks that are out now from NephLon Don & Slide Dillinger to keep promoting what we have now. They have several tracks doing numbers online and it always makes since to perform what everyone wants to hear from you.
And how can people get tickets to these shows?
You can get the tickets online on ticketfly.com or Brownpapertickets.com. Follow me via social media @YRSJerzy and Twitter @IAMYRSJERZY I will have all the links featured on my page.
One last question. When people think of YRS Jerzy in 10 years what would you like there thoughts to be?
I want people to know and say that YRS Jerzy came up from the bottom years ago and is still working just like he was when he was on the come up. I want them to think about how I built a dynasty and still kept working on other ventures.
Before we conclude is there anything further you’d like to share?
I just want to give a big shout out 1stdayfresh.Com! Thanks for having me stop by!
1stDayFresh.com 