DJ VICIOUS LEE
(LA / West Coast Hip Hop Legend)

What made you become a DJ?

That’s simple. Jam Master Jay. I saw him making noise on the turntable and I had to figure out what he was doing. When RUN DMC dropped their first album, it was a wrap. I wanted to DJ and be an MC, but early on I realized that the DJ at the party was the man, so I jumped head first into DJ’in.

What was your most exciting DJ gig to date, and why?

I have three that rank very high. The first is when I flew to Rome to DJ a few clubs… That was amazing, the culture the people, all united by music. They couldn’t speak English, but could sing my boy 2pac's lyrics front and back. The second was DJ’ing in LA at the Shark Club for the first Wu Tang performance on the west coast. I was so hyped I almost passed out from hyperventilating (lol) … it was a crazy night. The third experience was as a DJ for Tone Loc, performing in front of 15,000 people. Not being able to see the end of a crowd is wild, a bash in the grass.

Who do you currently produce?

I’m in the lab now working on tracks for a few different MCs … nothing major, just a side hobby at this point.

What projects / albums do you have coming out in 08?

Nothing new right now, but the latest records I’m on are the Hidden Beach Unwrapped Series Vol. 1 – 4, and Def Jazz on Def Jam records. Also T.H.U.G. JAZZ on Verve records. All of these are hip-hop tracks converted into jazz… real cool for the older hip-hop heads.

How do you like the Mackie d.2pro / d.4pro mixers?

So far so good, it feels great. All my sound guys love it. They can definitely hear the difference from my previous mixer. Plus I have all the outputs I need for sound, a monitor mix for club and stage… It’s everything I need in a battle-style mixer. The cross fader is like cotton candy, sweet and soft. Plus the mixer looks good and matches my gear. It fits in great with my whole setup.

How much do you use computers for making music (recording or spinning)?

One hundred percent. My life revolves around my computers. I do everything on my laptop and desktops.

What is your favorite feature on the d.2 / d.4 pro mixer?

The biggest feature for me is a cross-fader for the headphone cue. I love it. It’s a must-have.

What do you feel separates Mackie products from the rest in the game?

Mackie has a very strong name in the sound game. There’s a very strong foundation and trust among DJs and sound reinforcement guys. I’ve used Makie products for a long time before I had this mixer. Trust that :-)

Why did you decide to endorse Mackie personally?

Any chance to represent something you trust and use to make a living is a great thing. I can be honest about this, because I have first-hand experience with the Mackie name and several products… So I wouldn’t miss the chance to endorse it.