Breaking into the hip-hop game as DJ isn’t the hardest task in the world, standing out and staying relevant however is a challenge, especially as of late with the over saturation of mixtapes. Despite this, DJ Smallz, the 22-year-old spinning phenom from Florida, has exploded onto the national hip-hop scene with his Southern Smoke mixtape brand. Not only has the brand become popular but also it has become synonymous with southern Hip-hop

Anybody who thinks this DJ is one dimensional, however, is sadly mistaken as the Southern Smoke brand extends far beyond mixtapes.

Besides helping to expose some of the most talented hip-hop artists to the world, he rocks parties on a daily basis, and is getting ready to embark on a large Southern Smoke tour.

Never one to slow down when the momentum is good, DJ Smallz is also throwing his hat into the ring as a producer, having sold two beats to The Game for his upcoming Black Wall Street compilation. This DJ, who put together the hit Florida anthem, “Gunshine State”, also reaches 3 million listeners weekly with his Sirius radio show, putting DJ Smallz only a few spins away from being a household name.

Smallz, where were you born and when did you move to Florida?

I was born overseas in Japan when my father was stationed in the military. I moved to Florida when I was 3 years old and been here ever since. I'm 22 years old now and presently represent Tampa, Fl.

What inspired you to start spinning and how did the Southern Smoke series begin?

My head was really into school. I got a scholarship to college and everything. I was DJin' as a hobby ever since middle school and I was ready to get my club game popping in high school.

The first Southern Smoke CD was really a demo for me to get into clubs. It was the hottest southern music put together, mixed by me. People passed the CD around in high school and clubs, word of mouth spread and one thing led to another. That's how the Southern Smoke movement really began, it all began as a demo CD to get me into the local club circuit.

Volume 1 wasn't hosted by any one, but the first major host though was on Volume 6 with Uncle Luke of the 2 Live Crew. Uncle Luke is a legend and the reason why albums today carry the parental advisory sticker - he fought for his lyrics! He never hosted a mixtape before and I got him out to do it and he never did another one.

I've got a lot of history with my hosts. T.I. and C-Murder hosted a Southern Smoke behind bars. When Pimp C of UGK got out of jail, I was the only CD he hosted. Master P never hosted anyone's either except for Southern Smoke as well.

Where do you hope to take the Southern Smoke brand?

I want to take the Southern Smoke brand to a worldwide level, outside of the United States. DJin' last year in 4 major countries such as Canada, Japan, Germany and Switzerland has definitely helped. I'm trying to make southern hip-hop music not just hot in the U.S. but around the world!!!

You're one of the hottest, if not the hottest DJ in the South, what other DJ's do you feel are doing their thing?

Definitely DJ Clue - the godfather of mixtapes. When I first came into the game, mixtapes weren't even a movement down South; it was an east coast thing. DJ Clue really helped make mixtapes commercial, especially be establishing a DJ Clue album (The Professional series) that you could go cop at major chain retail store like a Best Buy or Circuit City. So I definitely looked up to Clue when I tried to establish that same formula down south.

You have skills on the turntables. Do you feel that's something that newer DJ's aren't focusing on?

If you're breaking new artists and new music you're a DJ... regardless if you do this on a radio show, mixtape or in the club. True DJs break records and new artists!!!

How did you hook up with Sirius radio?

I hooked up with Sirius by working the streets, breaking new artists and new music. I have a huge fan base primarily in the South and extend throughout the rest of the United States and some countries overseas such as Canada, Japan, and Germany & Switzerland.

Sirius had the same intentions I did down south ,to break new artists and new music on a national scale with more than 3 million listeners. It's a win win for both Sirius and myself. It was an easy hook up

You've worked wit huge artists like 3-6 Mafia, Big Boy, etc. What were those experiences like?

It's truly a blessed experience. I remember buying these artists albums as a fan of their music. To work with them hand-to-hand on a project is truly amazing, and I thank God for making this happen.

You're being described as the [Clue] of Florida or the [Drama] of Florida,do you feel any pressure being compared to such greats?

It's an honor to be compared to both DJ Clue and DJ Drama. They are both about 8-12 years older than I am, so for me to be mentioned in the same breath as them, it's truly an honor.

From day one I've gone my own lane and the streets can really vouch for that. I did a lot of things differently then my peers right out the box. For example, I never put my face out when a lot of DJs were putting their pictures on the fronts of their mixtape covers and I never ever talked on my promotional mixtapes when my peers did. I was born and raised in the left field and that’s where I plan to continue to play ball at.

I'm the first DJ to ever A&R a song together and put 30 of the most unique artists from my very own home state of Florida on one muthaf***in' record... the "Welcome to the Gunshine State" record a lot of people are talking about.

I'm also the first DJ to take a street brand, Southern Smoke!,  and make a city to city tour out of the brand…this being the first annual "Southern Smoke College Tour" hitting 9major cities and homecomings this fall. Again it’s an honor to be compared to Clue or Drama, but I'm really different when you put it on paper.

Tell me more about the Southern Smoke college tour?

The first annual "Southern Smoke College Tour" is amazing. We're hitting up 9 major homecomings throughout the South, primarily in Florida and we are adding on more dates as we speak. It's the first street brand with its own tour, and it’s been in the planning stages for the last 9 months.We are breaking artists on every tour date!

Gorilla Zoe (Block Ent / Bad Boy) and Flo-Rida (Poe Boy/Atlantic) are the headlining acts this year, and it's hosted by Delicious & Tango (of Flavor of Love& I Love NY on VH1) as well as the cast of College Hill from BET last season. Check DjSmallz.com for tour dates and venues...

You were named one of the Top 10 DJ's by MTV, was that an honor?

Of course, but the truest honor is being blessed to wake up every morning and get up and DJ.

It’s something I’ve always loved to do, and to have a job that you love is truly a blessing. A lot of people go through college and find out they hate the career they are in and feel stuck, like they can't start over because they put so much time and effort into the career they chose already. It’s truly a blessing.

You're working with Game, how did that come about?

I sold 2 beats to his Black Wall Street label for their upcoming compilation coming out next year. I just started releasing my beats, so it’s truly an honor to have a couple records placed on an album of that magnitude. Next time we have an interview, I hope to have more placements to tell you about that are in the works now.

When is the Southern Smoke compilation album coming out? What can we expect from that?

The South will never be the same once this album drops! It’s the official soundtrack to the hottest brand in the south – Southern Smoke! As far as DJ albums go, we are raising the bar with this Southern Smoke album release. We have album concepts and marketing strategies that have never ever been done with an album of this caliber. We are planning to release the official single on New Year's Eve. The Southern Smoke album currently has a release date slated for Summer 2008!

How does it feel to see artists from Florida blowing up like they are?

Well, I definitely addressed this on my recent record I produced called "Welcome to the Gunshine State." The purpose of the record honestly was to showcase the incredible talent in my home state of Florida. I'm really trying to unite artists in the underground down here with quality street music to these execs in the industry. It's nothing new to me, I've been doing this for the past several years and if you look at my 3-year track record I've been really on point, helping artists like Chamillionaire (sold platinum on his debut), Pitbull (sold gold on his debut) and others really establish themselves in the streets.

Atlanta and Houston have really been on the streets hard for the past couple years in the South, but I'm really trying to make Florida the featured player for the next year... that’s my goal.

Anything you'd like to say to your fans?

Expect the unexpected!!! (Laughing)... Look out for the "Southern Smoke College Tour" this fall... as well as Southern Smoke TV with QD3 (creator of the Beef series" at the top of the year... and of course the Southern Smoke album summer of 2008, with the first single featuring your favorite rappers leaking very soon.

Also be on the lookout for my production game... I'm shopping beats to a lot of major artists from Ludacris to Young Dro... so be on the lookout for that as well. Don't forget to check out the official website DJSmallz.com.

I love breaking new artists and new music. If you need a CD Hosted or you need me to DJ your party or event, please send me a message through DJSmallz.com. Big shout to Sixshot.com for holding me down always!!!