HEADS KNOW TAPE 017: DJ Problem
An interview and DJ mix from one of New Jersey's legendary Brick Bandits.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
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.
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In the early 2000s, something shifted in Newark, New Jersey. Tired of New York’s house scene just across the river, DJs began looking for something new. Known for his Chicago house mixes, DJ Tameil would soon be connected to the scene in Baltimore, where he'd meet artists like DJ Technics and Rod Lee. Mixing Chicago house with Baltimore's hip-hop infused club sound, he pioneered the genre we now know as Jersey club.
Two years later, Mike V, Tim Dolla and DJ Black Mic—three DJs who were also inspired by Baltimore club’s unique bounce—came together and formed the original Brick Bandits collective. Tameil would later join the crew.
Today, Brick Bandits is still going strong. Just like Jersey club itself, the group is constantly growing and evolving. One of its most prolific members, DJ Problem, joined the crew almost eight years ago and his output hasn't slowed down since.
For our latest tape, DJ Problem delivers one hour of pure Jersey club and talks about his introduction to electronic music, how he joined the Brick Bandits crew, and which songs should never be remixed again.
Your tracks are club essentials, so I really appreciate you being part of this and I'm hyped to have you on. How are you doing and what have you been up to lately?
DJ PROBLEM: It's an honor on my end as well. I’m alive so I'm well. Hope everything is ok with you. I just have been working on a ton of music.
Digging into your SoundCloud, the first song you posted was 8 years ago and it's "I Can Get Dick Anytime I Want." It's actually a song I play in almost all of my sets. Can you tell us the lore behind the track?
Funny story lol. On accident you can say, but then again, perfect timing. We all have seen the movie Baby Boy a hundred times. I just happened to smoke some weed and kind of started to fall asleep. But that part where the girl Pandora said it, it woke me out of my sleep and it sounded like a sample more than a movie scene this time. It was in my lane. My Jersey club style is raw and it stood out .
The second song on your SoundCloud is a remix of Aaliyah's "Rock The Boat" and it got me thinking about how every remix of that song is incredible. Are there any songs that you think can never have enough remixes?
That is a very good question, lol. Lot of times I have a belief that you should leave a classic alone, but it depends on the track. I think "Thuggish Ruggish" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, I can't get enough of. A good remix can always shake the room.
What about songs people should probably stop remixing?
Also a great question lol. Probably "Disco Inferno" by 50 Cent. Maybe "Thong Song" by Sisqo, too, off the top of my head.
How did you get started in music exactly?
My father is a DJ. I was around it my whole life since I was a baby, so I guess it was meant for me to do, thank God. He spinned a lot of house records, so I see why I love Jersey club. As soon as I heard it for the first time, I fell in love with it. My mom plays a lot of hip-hop and Spanish music, so I have a great foundation. Started rapping at 12. Started making beats and club at 16.
You rep Brick Bandits, a legendary and pioneering Jersey club crew, and have been part of it for over 8 years now. How did that happen?
One day Mike V, the CEO of Brick Bandits, hit my inbox on Facebook, out of nowhere. The rest is history.
Your SoundCloud biography says you're from Lakewood, New Jersey, which is about 60 miles from Newark. Is there anything people don't know but should know about Lakewood and its part in pushing Jersey club?
We have great producers—and DJs as well—over here, such as K-Deucez, FEEL GOOD FINESSE, DJ Steel and myself. This town loves Jersey club. Next town over is DJ Smallz 732 representing Asbury, Mike Gip and KAYY DRiZZ representing Long Branch. The history down here has to count when you talk Jersey club .
After being in the scene for so long, how does it feel to see the genre's revival in the mainstream with Project X and DJ Smallz 732 producing for artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Nicki Minaj, as well as rappers like Bandmanrill, whose sound is rooted in Jersey club?
DJ PROBLEM: I absolutely love it. It makes me happy. We just getting started!
Why do you think more people are catching onto it these days?
Sometimes it takes time.
If a dancefloor clears, what song are you playing to bring people back?
Tim Dolla - Swing Dat
Which producers, DJs, collectives or any other people should heads know?
God, Brick Bandits and LLTD 🕊️🙏🏽
What can we expect from this mix?
A lot of dancing, throwbacks, new tunes, great interludes—a nice car ride mix.
This interview was edited for clarity.
Follow DJ Problem on Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud and Bandcamp.
TRACKLIST
DJ Tim Dolla Intro
DJ Tim Dolla x DJ Problem - Flick Of The Wrist
DJ Problem - We Need A Resolution
DJ Problem - I’m Real
DJ Fresh - 10 Crack Commandments
DJ Tiga - Are You That Somebody
DJ Tameil Interlude
DJ Problem - Lean Back
KDuecez - Million Dollar Baby
DJ Problem x KDuecez - Lick
DJ Sliink - FnF
DJ Sliink - Looking For The Hoes
DJ Smallz 732 - Can You Bounce
Ace Mula x Lay Bankz - Na Na Na
Mike Gip - Lets Take Em Back
Mike Gip - Shoop
Yaya x Messy Ma (DJ Problem) - Tag Team
Interlude
DJ Problem - Turn Me On
DJ Problem - Rich Girl
DJ Diamond Kuts x Ms Porsh - Booty Little
DJ Problem x Kayy Drizz - Skinny Girlz
DJ LoKi - Jersey Anniversary
DJ LoKi - Jersey 90’s
DjSaluteNJ x Bookiemeshine - I Gotta Relax
DjSaluteNJ x Bookiemeshine - Bae
Do You Wanna Get Freaky - Fiiinesse (Feel Good)
IamSBF X SJAYY - Lovers And Friends
IamSBF - Nice And Slow
SJAYY x Gutta - Not Like Us
DJ Problem - Sideways
DJ Problem - Take You Home
DJ Problem - Back 2 Me
DJ Problem - I Wanna Know
DJ Jayhood - Becky
DJ Jayhood x DJ Joker - Jumping
Bleszt x DJ Jayhood - Park That Ass
DJ Tim Dolla x DJ Fresh - Twork For Me
DJ Joker x Bleszt x Luri D - Booty Too Fat (Donkey)
DJ Problem x KDuecez - Cha Cha Cha
DJ Problem - Can We Talk
DJ Problem - Step In The Name Of Love
YaYa x DJ Problem - Tick Tok
DJ Problem - Fall In Love
DJ Problem - Lip Gloss
DJ Problem - Deli Jelly
DJ Problem - Contagious
DJ Problem - Get Dick Anytime I Want
