Meet DJ Steve Swift

Meet Steve Swift - One of Houston's Top Reggae DJ's
photos and interview by susie@reggaelink.com

where are you from?
I was born aug 3 1974 in mcallen,tx but been livin in houston since 94.

whats ur nationality?
a very light skinned latino

tell me about being a musician... is ur family musical... what instruments do you play:
really not much to say about it, other that I love it! Music is what keeps me going. My family is not musical, but they did expose me to a variety of different kinds of music. We always went to shows and dances. My dad had a huge collection of records every thing from beatles, old motown stuff,
and tons of mexican music. He pushed my brother and I to play instruments in school, my brother played the saxophone while I played percussion...I would love to learn to play bass though.

when did u start djing, what kind of music did you play?
When I first started Djing I played mainly hip-hop and acid jazz or rare grooves whatever you want to call it.

how did u end up a reggae dj and tell me how you've become one of
houston's endeared reggae selectors, even in the jamaican scene?:
In jr high and high school I played steel drums everything from drum set and every single pan from bass to lead. I loved Caribbean music and wanted to DJ reggae I just couldn't get it where I lived. When I moved to houston I ran across prince world and marcus garvey records and just would buy up whatever they had,they must of thought I was mad cause i would just get
anything I saw that looked interesting. Now about the other question I'm still
trying to figure that one out.

tell me about blunted crew:
Well it started as a Thursday night @ underground lounge(804 fannin)
just a place where we(Bmc,Cef,Vitamin A, and myself)could play everything from
ragga Dnb to reggae and dancehall. the night took off and people just
associated the the night with the djs, so we just ran with it.

whats it like being 1.non jamaican, 2. non black - as a selector..how
does it influence your career:
well it does affect my selections sometimes..Being a outsider every time i
play I have to be on point. I feel like I'm being watched and judged even
harder than the next,but whatever I need that push to be a better DJ.
although i have really been surprised by the amount of support and respect
that I have gotten in the reggae scene.

who are some of your favorite reggae artists?
dancehall-
Buju banton all time fav, Bounty killer, Beenie Man, vybz kartel, Dr. evil(hehe), T.O.K, Ward 21 etc..
foundation-
ken boothe,jackie mittoo,sugar minott,garnett silk,the mighty diamonds and others.
lovers rock- Beres Hammond and Sanchez for sure, Bitty Mclean(underrated), Singing Melody, Ghost

favorite sounds -
plenty...Tony Mentally Ill Matterhorn, David Rodigan, Stone Love, Jaro, Downbeat, Black Kat,One love hi power,Mighty Crown

do you plan to clash ?
If need be....I would love to clash but to be a clashing sound you need $$$

what do u think of the houston reggae scene?
It's good Houston has some top sound and lots of them don't play out as much
as they should...Houston gets great shows and I hope in the future I'll still be ask to play at these events.

whats ur favorite food
Any Veggie of Seafood dish....from rice and peas to stuffed red snapper.

favorite way to blaze? papers bong pipe etc...
if I'm out and about it's paper and at home a nice clean pipe.

are u single? are u looking?
single yeah....Looking? I guess..

where can your reggaelink fans find you:
Well right now you can catch me every 3rd friday of the month @ Clark's
314 main st downtown(in between preston and congress) other than that You'll
see me around different events here and there.

who do u want to big up ?
first and for most Susie and Reggaelinks nuff support from day one,Reggie
and Jugglers crew and just everybody who has shown me support and
respect...

to book steve swift, e-mail steveswift@reggaelink.com