k i l l e r POP

DJ Tittsworth's been club bangin' out of Baltimore for some time now, helping the scene blow up. Along the way, he's found time to work with everyone from Bamabounce to DJ Ayres to A-trak. This February, he'll be making his Orlando debut thanks to the persistence of the folks at Saturday Thursday and a few die hard fans. Before he comes down, we wanted to make sure you all knew just what the man was about..

How long have you and DJ Ayres been collaborating?

We've tagged here and then and played for each other from a couple years back but I believe the Old Bay EP was the first piece of merch available with both our names on it. Technically our first collab was the Ammo Record for A-trak but logistical nightmares have turned a walk in the park into a butt-fuck-a-thon. That record still hasn't even seen the light of day...DJs will probably have record players built into our brains before that record comes out.

What made you two decide to start a label together?

We started rappin' about a few projects, realized we had a lot of common ideas and our approaches balance each other out. Also, I feel that there aren't that many labels out there available for DJs and producers anymore...at least ones putting out wax.

Besides the releases by you and DJ Taj, does T & A Records have any other artists putting anything out?

Catchdubs was on the Old Bay EP and I look forward to having him on board more and more. Dave Nada's production skills are increasing by leaps and bounds as well. We've had some interest from Kinfolk in New Jersey and we're always open to ideas. As of now, nobody else is on the schedule but I urge everyone to get us their audio! We're open-minded, focused cats.

Now by all accounts I've seen, Tittsworth is your real last name, which seems too good to be true, but I'll trust you. So, what was it like as a kid having that last name and at what point in your life did you really how awesome of a name it really was?

Man, the childhood was fucking traumatic. I was that shy kid in the back of the class that got real antsy once roll call hit 'Smith.' by high school it was over tho. I even ran for student gov't w/ slogan "get your tits' worth, vote for Tittsworth." In fact, I am the reason why they no longer allow live speeches (now pre-recorded). My fam in DC is workin' on some ODB style shirts w/ my license on them since I end up showin' my ugly ass crab covered ID so often to non-believers.

You sample everything from hip-hop and house, to Paul McCartney Christmas songs. What is it that you look for when your going through crates and adding to your collection?

I like to evoke emotion...joints that make you forget you wore your good shoes out to the club...or joints so nostalgic you remember that chick you slowed danced with in middle school (you know, the one with the pit stains??). I love building sets and songs around guilty pleasures. Ultimately, I like to have fun with it while providing a little technical know how too.

The scene in B-more's been around for awhile, but guys like you, Hollertronix, and Spank Rock have been helping it to really blow up in the past few years. What's it like to see your scene spread out? How has it changed since back in the day?

Club has gotten bigger than the city itself. Much respect to cats like Spankro and 'Tronix for adding their own spin and helping the music grow. I'm very excited about the current state of club music. It's become a lot more diverse and I enjoy this new found flexibility/creativity.

Of all the original B-more deejays, you cite Miss Tony a lot. What was it that made him so great?

I'm very inspired by Frank Ski, Miss Tony, The Paradox, Dukeyman, Diamond K, Kenny B, etc. Much respect to the creators and pioneers. I'm inspired by club music from that era. It incorporated elements from UK/Rave culture, House, Hip hop, Miami bass, Chicago house, gay culture. It was like club gumbo and I'm glad to see the genre reach out again.

I know your name is Tittsworth, but when it comes to women, what's your favorite part?

Truth be told, titts are great, but I'm more of an ass man. Of course 'C) all of the above' when at all possible.

Speaking of women and body parts, if you could sample the hottest women in the world to make the perfect track, what would you throw in the mix?

Hot sauce

Name drop time: Who all have you been working with lately, B-more and beyond?

I'm wrapping up a track right now w/ Kid Sister and Pase Rock (fresh off tour w/ Flosstradamus and Spankrock, respectively). Just (re-)finished that record for A-trak. Been talking to DJ Technics about doing a record that he has expressed a lot of interest in. Booman and Labtekwon recently reached out. I am finishing up a bunch of great album stuff w/ a lot of really talented folks, from vets (Kenny B, Diamond K, etc.) to razor sharp up and comers (Michelle Bell, Roll Wit Us All Stars, more). There has been some light chat about Sinden and I being on a record as well.

What's holding up the breaks and acapella record you and Ayres are trying to put?

We are trying to do something that is technically very hard to accomplish. We want many many trapped/locked grooves on a record (loops that repeat infinitely) so that you can build a song real-time w/ the flip of your finger. What it comes down to is there aren't a lot of folks that know how to do this and even the ones that do, end up spending a lot of money tearing up their heads cutting really difficult masters. I THINK we might have finally wrapped this one up...

Besides that project, do you have anything in the works that we could be privy to?

The EZ-T EP is going to be out soon ("Cars," "Tom's Diner," "EZ," "In Yo Face," "Brains," etc.). I'm also working on a full length album forthcoming on plant (100% original... instrumentals and vocal projects w/o sampling or remixing). And you know me, a year can't go by w/o me putting out at least 2-3 records ;-)

What's one word you want to end this interview?

FOCUS