1. Thanks for being apart of my CrossTown Sessions, where did you begin diggin and Djing?

Handz Solo: I began Djing in Pasadena Ca in 1988 I started out doing local house parties then High School Dances. By 1992 I was Dj college parties. Then in 1994 I was Djing clubs in Hollywood & later in San Francisco. By 1997 – 1999 I was entering DMC Dj battles. Some of my favorite spots to dig was a place called Pooh Bah’s records & Rockaway records oh yeah and Zebra records.

2. Who were your influences when you first began Djing?
Reply: My influences were Dj Cash Money (Philly) Dj Miz (Philly) Dj Scratch (EPMD) Dj Aladdin (LA) & Dj Bobcat (LA)

3. How would you describe the scene in Pasadena from the scene out here in Chicago? Venues, the people, residency?
Reply: It’s kinda hard to compare then to now I haven’t been in the scene in Pasadena in some time, but times change just like the scenes. What I’ve seen in the scene here is love but also a clique kind of love rather than the best presentation of skill. I’m starting to see more communication going on amongst people with events or venues to prevent some of the toe stepping. With residency’s I still see a lot of untalented Dj’s getting these spots because they will work for peanuts vs some of the truly talented Dj I’ve both seen and met here. And don’t get me wrong some of my peeps back in California say the same things are going on in the scene out there, I’m just not there to witness it to speak on it. I resided in Chicago and do my best to represent Chi Rock Nation & the scene here.