RESPECT. Catches Up with DJ Upgrade

By: DJ Upgrade

Rapper/Producer DJ Upgrade is reminding us of how important the Bay area sound is to music culture. After signing with Hip Hop legend Too Short and relocating to Los Angeles, he has kicked his career into full swing and has no intentions on slowing down.

Recently I caught up with DJ Upgrade in a quick interview as we discussed, his biggest records, the influence of the bay, signing with Too Short and what he is currently working on. He also broke down where he got the name DJ Upgrade as he is not an actually DJ. Check out the transcribed interview below.

RESPECT.: How would you best describe the influence the Bay Area has had on your sound?

Upgrade: Vital.. I moved to the bay in 7th grade and I remember hearing Richie Rich let’s ride on the radio thinking “what is this”. I grew up in the bay when the bay only made bay music so it’s foundation of my sound. I played trap, pop and east coast beats for you and you said they all still sound bay so I can’t shake my taste in bass, harmonies and music with strong bounce. I was a teen in the functions, house parties, and sideshows which puts me ahead of my competition.

What was the inspiration behind drop it to the clap?

Females in the function, especially Lacie Girl and Cream Team. Oakland started this function wave on the west coast 10 plus years ago we just don’t have Hollywood down the street to push it the way it should be.. Once I put Rico Tha Kidd on the record, it became an organic hit with no marketing or promotion . There’s a artist from so cal called Famous Uno he got a song where they do they version of it.

Priceless Da Roc used to throw my drop it to the clap party’s. Chonkie a turf dancer from Oakland created yiken creativity doing it in his way, and Ms Indy created the dip. Sage red nose dance is yiken which is one of the ways you drop it to the clap. I just wanted a Oakland tip drill song that was clean so I can rap it at rally’s.

What has it been like signing to Too Short?

There was and still is growing pains.. I’m going from a rapper to hip hop artist. I have to learn about credits, publishing, and concepts. I have to look at artists in my past and choose wisely who to grow with. Too short’s has made me a music prodigy like Kanye but I write my music and ghostwrite for others.

I’ve learned that there are ceiling to hit songs without professional representation. It’s been a priceless experience working with a man who’s been hot longer then I been alive and I’m an OG.

As a rapper that produces what do you find most rewarding?

I’m a rapper first but my best songs to date are ones that I self produced and that’s something that I am proud of. I have to say both because I’m still making beats with 3 fingers so I got ALOT of growth and I rap on other people beats and it brings out another flavor of writing.

Where do you see you career in the next 5 years?

A successful music factor from the west with some hits that I’m not rapping on. Hopefully an A&R title at OG Records so I can provide artist I believe in distribution. Touring putting on for people who serious are about music and trying to get out the hood to put on for the hood.

When can we expect a project from you and what inspired it?

I am dropping a project called Trap Divas which is my work with a bunch of talented females spitters and bras in the last couple months. I had the pleasure of working with Veronica Rich, Kiara Simmons, Asia, Big Hud, Dizzy will all appear on this project.

I wanted to make a slapping project that’s trap but female friendly. I got just as many real street n***as asking me bout the project then females.. it’s only one f**k a n***a record I can’t sell out my guys [laughs].

As DJ Upgrade prepares for his Trap Divas release, press play below to hear his hit single “Drop It To The Clap”.