DJ CLAY Continued...

yourself) have a lot of accomplishments they are proud of. Have you ever won any DJ contests or anything of that nature that you care to tell us about? That's a great and pretty simple question. The answer is NO; LOL not officially. I mean I was nominated for DJ of the year at the Detroit music awards and lost to Kid Rocks Dj Haahaa! (I currently hold the record for being the only guy to snap and album in half andtry to cut a man's throat with it). Honestly though I never entered any type of contest, I was so tied into the underground scene that even though I sold over 200,000 mix tapes and hit Billboard charts twice they (the mainstream) never seen me. My accomplish-ments are all the life experiences that I've been through and my two beautiful children. I'm just getting started in this game so there's plenty of official accomplishments that I know I'll achieve.

When you are off tour, taking a break…what is it you like to do and where can people find you? Third part…what kind of music do you listen to to calm your nerves and clear your mind?Any time I'm not touring I have to be with my kid. I'm gone so much with touring or in studio, as soon as I get home I wanna jus kick it with them. It takes a toll on you when you can't be around your family all the time but I'm doing this for my family, sacrificing a lot of shit in my life and I don't think that people understand the dedication it takes. If you wanna find me, you can't. I'm hidden in a secret studio or my underground house! And last to clear my mind I listen to a lot of Metallica, Gheto Boyz, Korn and twerk musi .

Any last words or things you’d like to plug or cover? Also, please provide us all of your social media info here and how folks can find you.Make sure to keep checking Dj-clay.com for new albums, tours, merchandise etc. Also follow ya boy on twitter - @djclay313 for contests, free tickets and a shit load of other crazy things. My Instagram is @djclay313 and keep a look out right now for me and Twisted Insane who are out on tour as I speak, Dj Clay and Zug Izland in July, Dj Clay w/ Mike Busey at the gathering of the Juggalos this year in July as well then I head out in August! It's gonna be a hot summer!

When you are off tour, taking a break…what is it you like to do and where can people find you? Third part…what kind of music do you listen to to calm your nerves and clear your mind?Any time I'm not touring I have to be with my kids, I'm gone so much with touring or in studio, as soon as I get home I wanna jus kick it with them . It takes a toll on you when you can't be around your family all the time but I'm doing this for my family, sacrificing a lot of shit in my life and I don't think that people understand the dedication it takes . If you wanna find me, you can't, I'm hidden in a secret studio or my underground house! And last to clear my mind I listen to a lot of Metallica, Ghetto Boyz, Korn and twerk music.

Any last words or things you’d like to plug or cover?Make sure to keep checking Dj-clay.com for new albums, tours, merchandise etc. Also follow ya boy on twitter - @djclay313 for contests, free tickets and a shit load of other crazy things. My Instagram is @djclay313 and keep a look out right now for me and twisted insane who are out on tour as I speak, Dj Clay and Zug Izland in July, Dj Clay w/ Mike

Busey at the gathering of the Juggalos this year in July as well then I head out in august! It's gonna be a hot summer!

You've got a new album dropping this year called Blue Collar...can you tell us a bit about the concept and who's on it?Blue Collar is an everyday album. It touches subjects like social depression, adversity, every day hard work, and every-thing else that pertains to living a regular life. I'm no different than my fans, same struggle, just a different hustle.We've spoke previously about this, but how tough is it doing hip hop coming from the state of Montana? And, in your opinion are there some advantages to it?It took me years to realize this, but I'm sitting on a gold mine. Take a rapper from the inner city for example, when I tell them I can bring them out to Montana to get paid and do a few concerts it's intriguing to them. It's a resource I have that has allowed me to open up all kinds of networking channels. When it's time for me to tour, I hit my contacts and let them know I need their market and in return I'll bring them to Montana. As far as being taken serious in the industry because of where I'm from, that's a whole other struggle. I feel like the new kid in school every time I hit a new city. I feel like I have to win the crowd over at every concert. It's not as difficult as one would think though, people hear what I'm talking about and realize quickly that they can relate. I talk about things I know, it doesn't matter where you're from, most of us are familiar with the struggle. You've toured for a while regionally, but recently you've expanded your reach and taken it nationally with Wildcard. How has the road been treating you?It's incredible! I'm basically getting paid to be a tourist! Haha...Really though, I've been blessed immensely . I've been given the opportunity to meet all kinds of folks on the road, listen to their stories, and incorporate their struggles into my music. It's helped my creativity a ton. Musically, you are a straight shooter. You speak about life and it's everyday struggles and are sure to note that your life isn't always glamorous. That's rare today...tell us why you speak so candid?It's how I was raised. Plus I'm no dummy, nobody is trying to hear some Montana kid talk about the hood or ballin out of control. I just do me. Music is therapy for me. Honestly I don't kick it with too many people, I have trust issues. That being said I don't have many people I can truly open up to and talk about what's going on inside so I turn to music. I've taken pride in keeping it all the way real in my music and at this point I know my fans will continue to hold me accountable for the content I release so I work hard to stick to my roots. You've also been sober as of 10 years. Is that difficult being on the road and doing hip hop of course which is littered with everything under the sun to be addicted to?It's extremely difficult. I'm constantly being tempted but I'm committed to living with a clear head. Besides, promoters, venues, labels, etc., don't want to work with people who aren't responsible. I'm not saying that people that party, drink, etc., aren't responsible, I'm saying that I'm not. Back when I used to get fucked up I was just about worthless. No work ethic, couldn't be trusted, treated people poorly. That's not a lifestyle I want to live or an example I want to make. To each their own though. On the business side of things, you've got a pretty strong grasp of how things work in this industry. From booking tours, running your own studio and marketing your-self. Is it all self taught and do you feel that has helped you get a step ahead of the rest in your region?It has taken a lot of trial an error. I've been in the industry going on 8 years now so I've certainly made my share of mistakes. The most valuable thing I've learned though is being organized and doing what you say you're going to do, goes a long way. I actually developed the skill of speaking to people professionally while working at a phone sales job for 4 years at the beginning of my career. It taught me how to read people, how to react to unexpected feedback, and how to close a sale. A sale in this case being whatever it is I'm working on, be it a tour, distribution, donation, investment, etc.. I hear you have a serious baseball background, possibly could've went to college and pro. Care to elaborate?

You've got a new album dropping this year called Blue Collar...can you tell us a bit about the concept and who's on it?Blue Collar is an everyday album. It touches subjects like social depression, adversity, every day hard work, and every-thing else that pertains to living a regular life. I'm no different than my fans, same struggle, just a different hustle.We've spoke previously about this, but how tough is it doing hip hop coming from the state of Montana? And, in your opinion are there some advantages to it?It took me years to realize this, but I'm sitting on a gold mine. Take a rapper from the inner city for example, when I tell them I can bring them out to Montana to get paid and do a few concerts it's intriguing to them. It's a resource I have that has allowed me to open up all kinds of networking channels. When it's time for me to tour, I hit my contacts and let them know I need their market and in return I'll bring them to Montana. As far as being taken serious in the industry because of where I'm from, that's a whole other struggle. I feel like the new kid in school every time I hit a new city. I feel like I have to win the crowd over at every concert. It's not as difficult as one would think though, people hear what I'm talking about and realize quickly that they can relate. I talk about things I know, it doesn't matter where you're from, most of us are familiar with the struggle. You've toured for a while regionally, but recently you've expanded your reach and taken it nationally with Wildcard. How has the road been treating you?It's incredible! I'm basically getting paid to be a tourist! Haha...Really though, I've been blessed immensely . I've been given the opportunity to meet all kinds of folks on the road, listen to their stories, and incorporate their struggles into my music. It's helped my creativity a ton. Musically, you are a straight shooter. You speak about life and it's everyday struggles and are sure to note that your life isn't always glamorous. That's rare today...tell us why you speak so candid?It's how I was raised. Plus I'm no dummy, nobody is trying to hear some Montana kid talk about the hood or ballin out of control. I just do me. Music is therapy for me. Honestly I don't kick it with too many people, I have trust issues. That being said I don't have many people I can truly open up to and talk about what's going on inside so I turn to music. I've taken pride in keeping it all the way real in my music and at this point I know my fans will continue to hold me accountable for the content I release so I work hard to stick to my roots. You've also been sober as of 10 years. Is that difficult being on the road and doing hip hop of course which is littered with everything under the sun to be addicted to?It's extremely difficult. I'm constantly being tempted but I'm committed to living with a clear head. Besides, promoters, venues, labels, etc., don't want to work with people who aren't responsible. I'm not saying that people that party, drink, etc., aren't responsible, I'm saying that I'm not. Back when I used to get fucked up I was just about worthless. No work ethic, couldn't be trusted, treated people poorly. That's not a lifestyle I want to live or an example I want to make. To each their own though. On the business side of things, you've got a pretty strong grasp of how things work in this industry. From booking tours, running your own studio and marketing your-self. Is it all self taught and do you feel that has helped you get a step ahead of the rest in your region?It has taken a lot of trial an error. I've been in the industry going on 8 years now so I've certainly made my share of mistakes. The most valuable thing I've learned though is being organized and doing what you say you're going to do, goes a long way. I actually developed the skill of speaking to people professionally while working at a phone sales job for 4 years at the beginning of my career. It taught me how to read people, how to react to unexpected feedback, and how to close a sale. A sale in this case being whatever it is I'm working on, be it a tour, distribution, donation, investment, etc.. I hear you have a serious baseball background, possibly could've went to college and pro. Care to elaborate?

Story: RGMjr

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