HEADS KNOW TAPE 002: dazegxd
An interview and DJ mix from the New York City producer and EldiaNYC collective leader.
Photo: Kevin Munos (@kevospina)
HEADS KNOW TAPES is our mix and interview series, curated to introduce you to the most exciting innovators, selectors, and artists from New York City and beyond.
Get it straight to your inbox by subscribing on Substack.
Native New Yorker dazegxd embodies the city’s essence of a melting pot. The producer has never adhered to one genre—he’ll ricochet from rap to hyper pop and jungle to garage quicker than you can catch your breath.
I met the young EldiaNYC boss through Twitter last year and they quickly became one of my favourite people. After meeting in person at Elsewhere and seeing him spin at a few Eldia Summits, I ended up booking him for my very first party, where he and Swami Sound sold out Paragon. I’m happy to have them as the second guest for the HEADS KNOW interview and mix series, and to see what he’ll bring us in 2024.
Even with all of his accomplishments, dazegxd humbly tells HEADS KNOW founder Arielle Lana LeJarde “I personally don't see myself as having a major role in the NYC dance scene though, I'd like to see myself just a DJ and participant—nothing more.”
Listen to the mix, find the tracklist and read our interview below.
What's the first thing you did once you (finally) turned 21?
I went to a 7-11 and bought a Mike's Hard Lemonade. Shit sucked and it tasted like Spike TV.
One of your first experiences with electronic music was finding GTA 3’s MSX and Jet Set Radio. Why do you think video games and electronic music are so intertwined?
I believe that video games and electronic music just have a symbiotic relationship. That's been the case since the integration of music into video games in the ‘80s.
If you could develop and score a video game, what would the game be and how would it sound?
Probably an action game, like Like a Dragon. I've just been playing that series lately. The soundtrack would be in line with stuff like dSX.fm and just a lot of breakbeat-laden tracks.
How's Eldia and EldiaNYC doing?
We're all just getting ready for the upcoming year. The Eldia label as a whole wasn't as active in 2023 compared to 2022, but we've just been grinding and have a lot in store to rectify our dormancy.
EldiaNYC's doin fine tho, all 3 of us just do our own things outside of the Summits. gum.mp3 dropped Riddim Seeker and My Own Private Virginia, as well as Girls Love Jungle with me this year. Swami Sound dropped Back in the Day and got a couple of sync [deals] in Fortnite and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.
I'm eternally proud of the whole group and I know we'll all have a great 2024.
How would you describe the NYC dance music scene and what's your role in it?
The NYC dance scene's doing better than ever, it's definitely bounced back from the height of the pandemic.
I personally don't see myself as having a major role in the NYC dance scene though, I'd like to see myself just a DJ and participant—nothing more.
As a Brooklyn native, how has it been watching the music scene evolve over the years?
It's been a pleasant evolution. More people are going outside than ever, witnessing new and upcoming artists and DJs for the first time. As well as the dance music space, the underground SoundCloud rap scene has been having its own moment.
There are a few artists from that space that I remember listening to years ago [that are now] packing out venues in NYC and it's nice to see. NYC live music in general's just become a bigger thing than I [could] ever remember.
If a visitor wanted to spend 24 hours in Brooklyn, what are the must-see spots?
Mi Sabor Cafe and Elsewhere in Bushwick, The Lot Radio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn Games & Arcade in Sunset Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo (in the Summer).
Anything you want to promote?
The 3 EPs I dropped this year & whatever I drop in 2024. [dazegxd.com]
Support dazegxd on Instagram, Twitter, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp, plus find out when he’ll be playing in a city near you via his website.
TRACKLIST
Jay Hound & Jay5ive - UKRAINE
BIG J - babies
dazegxd - how u hatin
Hyped On Acid - Something For Your Mind
stekker - U Kno 92
Nookie - Gonna Be Alright (Cloud 9 Remix)
M-Beat - Shuffle
Text Chunk x Hood Joplin - Keepflowin'
Worsleyy x Glinks x Cheetah - Move Ya Body
Baby Cham - Man & Man (Vex Bootleg)
dazegxd - ID
DJ SS - BLACK (1995 VIP REMIX)
DJ Lewi & Chopper - You Better Run (Pete Cannon Atari Remix)
Slinki - Get The Fuck Up (We Rob Rave Remix)
Chrissy - Take Me Away (Again)
Chatter Bee - Dub on Fire
Bass Master Warriors - I Dont Give A Dam
D.R.S x Kenny Ken x Krinjah - Every Man Remix
rrodney - meet ya #jerseyclub
RaEazy - From The Krypt
General Malice - The Stopper VIP
DJ Kuroneko - heart pumping
rrodney x onepunkboy - wocka flocka #jerseyclub
Cutty Ranks - Limb By Limb (Dj SS Mix)
Congo Natty - Junglist Soldier
Roni Size - Fashion
Top Cat - Request the Style (Project 1 remix)
Harka - Spin Cycle
Remarc - R.I.P.
dazegxd - ID
Top Cat & DJ Rap - Ruffest Gun Ark (DJ Rap mix)
XBass - Watching Me
DJ L.A.B. - Territory
dazegxd - low effort intro
