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By: Justin Caliveli

Music producer and host of Dame Dash TV Justin Caliveli, has done a great job making a name for himself. As a producer he caught the attention of Kanye West, and within minutes was going viral on social media.

Ultimately, being discovered by Damian “Damizza” Young, Caliveli has been able to create a unique path toward infinite success.

I had the pleasure of catching up with the young creative for a short Q&A session. He candidly discussed being the host for DDTV, his connection to Kanye and working with rising rap artist Malaynah, as he is reaching new heights in his career.

Check it out below.

Respect: How has your life changed since being discovered by Dame Dash?

Justin: I was actually discovered by Damizza (former program director for Power 106 who broke artists such as Jay–Z, Eminem, Ja Rule, and many others). I met Dame Dash at his Culture Vulture Masterclass in LA. Damizza and Dame have been longtime friends, and soon after meeting Dame he  ultimately offered me a job. Working for him is a dream come true.

I  programmed the beta version of his television network, DDTV, which will hit Television soon. In addition, I’m a music producer and being in that environment I was recently blessed with Kanye freestyling on my beats. My life has changed in which I am now living my dream!

Respect: What does it mean for you be named the official host of Dame Dash TV?

Justin: It’s an honor who would have ever thought I would be currently hosting the beta version of DDTV, which is live 24/7 on Dame Dash Studios YouTube channel.

When DDTV hits television, I will be the host of The BluRoc Show. I’m Dame’s first video jockey. I get a chance to interview artists as well as play their music videos.

Respect: What was the result of Kanye West discovering your beats?

Justin: Kanye freestyled over 5 of my beats! He came in and told me to record him  rapping. So, of course, I took out my phone and with Kanye freestyling and Dame dropping adlibs and dancing. It felt like a moment that would  have been out of the Rocafella days. It was magical.

Dame told me that I  brought back the old Kanye. The videos went viral. I remember seeing articles and the videos on XXL, Complex, and others in a matter of hours. The videos have gotten over 1 million views in total on  Instagram.

Respect: How has it been like working with rising rap sensation Malaynah?

Justin: It’s been awesome. I produced a record for her. It should be releasing soon. I was recently backstage with her when she opened up for Tyga here in LA last month. She’s going to be big.

Respect: What do you find most rewarding working in the entertainment business?

Justin: The experiences. I get to experience things that not many people get to experience, such as Kanye West rapping on my beats and hosting a  Television show. Being with legends often is rewarding as well.

Respect: What are you looking forward to most this year?

Justin: I look forward to producing records for major artists and to be the host of The BluRoc Show on DDTV. So make sure to follow my journey via  Instagram @caliveli .

Tune into DDTV on February 25th to see Justin Caliveli doing his thing!

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In a rare 1997 interview, Jay-Z discussed his beginnings with the rap game and the business knowledge learned from his long-time mentor Jaz-O. He would later use this knowledge to create his independent label Roc-A-Fella Records with his partners Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.  After being turned down by several major labels, Carter, Dash and Burke started the label and worked a partnership to release the  debut album Reasonable Doubt through Priority Records.

Jay-Z discussed the creative process in creating the album with producers such as DJ Premier and DJ Clark Kent  as well the collaborations with artist such as Mary J. Blige and Notorious B.I.G, and Foxy Brown.

“We named the album Reasonable Doubt because  you know with anything you do in life, people will judge you. Whether it be doing interviews or radio or whatever you do in life people will judge you. The album is like basically on trial. You either going to like it or you don’t” Carter said.

Happy 20th Anniversary to Reasonable Doubt.

To read up more on Reasonable Doubt, hit up the respect-mag.com site. It’s Jay Day, All Day Baby!

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Dame Dash and Kanye West are set to executively produce another film together entitled “Too Honorable.” This time they add cast members from the old Roc days, Cam’ron and Oschino Sparks and new blood Murda Mook and Smoke Dza. Cheers to the Dame, Kanye, and the digital revolution.

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Always plotting and planning, moguls Kanye West and Dame Dash have been linking up a lot as of late. This time around, the multi-hypenates swam into fashion waters as they talk buying out street wear distributor and brand, Karmaloop.

Check out Dame giving more insight into their plans below:

Generations of real fighters sticking together for the whole world to see…this was always the plan but shit is real and where not doing any bubble gum shit and I hope the whole world sees this and wants to do the same thing…stay tuned #honaorablepeoplesticktogether #hustleforyourlastnamenotyourfirst @loisaidas @damondashstudios @murdamookez @kushedgod @heavenupinharlem_127 @smokeysuarez @queenofharlem @mr_camron @iamjuju_ @raquelmhorn @orgieswiththechef he wit us we fight the same fight…he actually does some Harlem nigga shit #harlemstickstogether @iamjiton too

A video posted by @duskopoppington on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:51pm PDT

Part 2 @loisaidas @damondashstudios #honaorablepeoplesticktogether @toohonorable_ddstudios @hollywoodreporter @vfhollywood @vanityfair @variety @bbcnews @nymag @britishvogue @hamishbowles @dlipper @voguemagazine @nytimesfashion @newyorkermag A video posted by @duskopoppington on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:59pm PDT

It’s gonna be fun making history like this part @damondashstudios @loisaidas @toohonorable_ddstudios and we gonna look cool doing it stay tune @wwd @bat_gio @bbcnews @giseleofficial @laurabrown99 @bergdorfs @officialrodarte @rashidajones @hollywoodreporter @shoshannagruss @aokidevon @ryanseacrest @realronhoward @hollywoodreporter @asvpxrocky @mistercap @mr_camron @iamnaomicampbell @desireegruber

A video posted by @duskopoppington on Mar 26, 2015 at 8:30pm PDT

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Harlem is on fire today, and courtesy of Complex we get an exclusive first look at Camron’s new video for “Dipshits.” This is definitely what we have been waiting to hear from Cam and the Dipset crew for a long time. With Juelz Santana on the hook, Dame Dash ranting over the beat and production by A-Trak, Oliver and Just Blaze this track can do no wrong. This cut is going to be on Camron and A-Trak’s upcoming EP Federal Reserve which is supposed to drop later on this year. The Ricky Saiz-directed video brings us into Harlem and gives us that vintage Dipset feel with Cam rocking the fur. Cameos from Freekey Zekey, Jim Jones, and many others round things out. This is definitely what the summer needed, and more importantly what New York needed. Check out the video below.

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Cam‘s voice has been notably more throaty the last few years, but here it works well, giving him the gruff edge of a surly historian insisting that everybody check the facts. With that in mind, it’s worth noting that Cam seems to be one of the few older rappers who’s aging well without becoming ornery. His insistence on history isn’t nostalgic or reactionary: he’s just stating facts. This is the behavior of someone who is okay with no longer being in the spotlight. This is how you avoid becoming a geezer who only seems to make complaints. Other older rappers should take note.

It’s kind of funny to note that Cam adopts the same flow that Drake uses. Looks like Soulja Boy is increasingly losing ownership of this song.

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