DJDC:
Over the past few years you have really developed a following in the Washington DC area. As you have created the “Ramzy Brand”, what was your focus, i.e., how did you want people to envision you?
DJR:
I wanted people to envision me as a generally nice guy, down to earth person who likes to have fun behind the decks. I have been told that people like my personality and it shows when I work. I love to take requests, get feedback from the crowd and answer questions that people have. I feel that early on, DJs get a bad rep from the general public because they are seen as “douchebags” or “assholes.” I like to be the nice guy; I like to show people that not all DJs are what you perceive them to be.
DJDC:
When working with promoters, what is your approach to ensure that you get what you want out of your performance and they get what they want?
DJR:
Well, performance-wise, what you get out of your performance is up to you. I don’t think it has much to do with the promoters. All in all, I think every DJ wants the promoters to pack the house with a great crowd but even if your show has 30 people, you can still have fun and have a great show. There is no way to ensure a show goes perfectly for promoters and DJs, if you’ve been in this industry long enough, you know that not every night can hit capacity but you try your best to make it happen. I guess every DJ wants the promoter to let them do what they want and work the crowd how they know how to and the promoter normally just wants you to promote a little for them to try to get your following to come out to see you.
DJDC:
What is your inspiration when you are playing at a place like Josephine’s on a Friday night? Meaning you know they are going to want it funky and hip as opposed to doing a networking or happy hour at the Roof Top in Rockville?
DJR:
Well that’s what I love about being a diverse DJ. I can make a happy hour fun and funky just like I can bump any venue in DC. Happy hours are great, you can build the atmosphere, start out with some classics, go into 80s, 90s, Motown, and as the drinks kick in, you can almost play it like a club in DC. I LOVE being able to drop songs like “Sweet Child Of Mine” into “I Wear My Sunglasses At Night” and not having everyone look at you like you’re crazy. I often forget that people don’t know classics as much as you want them to so playing for an older crowd that can appreciate the classics is really fun. Also, normally, people don’t expect a DJ to be mixing it up so much at a happy hour or networking event so the element of surprise is really fun for me. I often have people just come stare at what I do because they don’t believe the music they are hearing is coming from me.
DJDC:
You are a very versatile DJ, you are able to mix it up at all sorts of events. Bars, Lounges, Private, Weddings, etc. Do you have perspective clients that see you in one setting and immediately feel that is what you will bring to another? How do you deal?
DJR:
I’ll be honest, I have had some clients that when I do their weddings, they are a bit hesitant because they think I only do clubs but they forget I’ve been doing mobile events (weddings, mitzvahs, private parties, corporate parties) for 8 years now. I normally deal with it by giving them references, my former clients are more than happy to refer me to anyone. I’ve helped plan weddings, I’ve also walked into weddings with absolutely no info on the event and I am forced to wing it, ultimately doing a great job. Each part of the spectrum works for me, I’m comfortable in any environment.