HEADS KNOW TAPE 024: SUPR SPRT
An interview and DJ mix from the Brooklyn-based producer and DJ.
Photo: Bodegaparty
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 winter of 1907, Laurence Pomeroy was tasked to redesign an engine to compete in the Royal Automobile Club's 2000 Mile Trial taking place the following year. At Vauxhall Motors, the British car manufacturer where he worked, Pomeroy was just a draftsman, but the company's chief engineer was out for an extended holiday. He fine tuned the Vauxhall 20 hp and created what would later be known as the Vauxhall Prince Henry, which is widely recognized as the first sports car because of its high performance that relied on design and stability rather than strength. The same can describe SUPR SPRT, the well-dressed producer and DJ who can be found performing or partying all over New York City while also upholding a mantra of: "Remember to drink water and eat your fruits."
With over 15 years of DJ experience, and producing for even longer, SUPR SPRT understands the importance of looking and feeling your best when it comes to being an artist. And like the Vauxhall engine that just needed an update to become an award-winning pioneer, SUPR SPRT isn't afraid of self-improvement, both personally and professionally. He's always working on learning new skills, digging into new sounds, and himself—and he helps everyone around him while doing it.
Although he was born in Soviet Tajikistan, SUPR SPRT got his musical start in Nashville, Tennessee, playing guitar in rock bands before buying his first drum machine in high school. He started DJing in 2008, right before leaving for college in Boston, the city in which he'd remain for over a decade and the birthplace of the SUPR SPRT project. Now based in Brooklyn, you can find him either co-running Store Run Radio with his friends NoahG and Grabba Ranks, spreading his knowledge to baby DJs, or outside a Bushwick venue trying to rally a crew for the afters.
Roll the tape for high bpm, bass-heavy, breakbeat-infused, booming bangers and read on to read about SUPR SPRT's love for DJ Screw, tips to buying clothes on eBay, and where to find the best chicken sandwich in New York City.
We've been friends for a while and you've supported me throughout my many music career phases, so you doing a tape means a lot to me and I really appreciate you for being a part of this! Plus, you've been doing so much lately. What are you most excited about?
Thank you for having me! We’ve certainly had quite our respective journeys and I’m honored to be on your burgeoning platform. I’m honestly most excited about SLEEP, and not the stoner metal band lol. Doing a lot means getting tired, so I make it a point to recharge otherwise my screws come loose. I’ve been really into 432hz type ambient sounds.
You're one of the most versatile DJs and producers I know. You have your hands in hip-hop, UKG, phonk, donk, and other genres well before other people get into it. Did your parents' interest in a wide range of music like rock, R&B, and gospel have a part in you seeking out different sounds?
That means a lot, I appreciate it. My parents listened to everything from Mozart to Boney M, and growing up in Music City helped further expand my palate. They’ve supported me in all my music endeavors from singing in gospel choirs as a kid, learning guitar in middle school, and even when I got my hands on a drum machine and started making dance music/hip hop. When I bought my first turntables they did get a bit worried because of the party lifestyle, but that’s just what parents do. I’ve always been drawn to underground and emerging styles of music, especially region-specific genres like Southern rap, UK garage, Chicago footwork, Nola bounce, Miami bass, and Jersey club. Those have all seen waves of mainstream acceptance, so I always have my ear to the ground for what’s next, especially in the evolution or hybridization of the ones I just mentioned.
Everytime we're in your car, you're listening to DJ Screw. How has he influenced your music?
DJ Screw was an icon, “The Originator.” He inspired me to slow it down after my teenage rock’n’roll frenzy, and I personally resonate with the lyrics about overcoming struggle, getting fly, and general introspection/reflection. Musically, I incorporate a lot of double-up type note repeats, flanger, reverb, start/stop effects, as well as remixing my own songs, all signatures of DJ Screw’s. His contemporaries are also major influences: Pimp C, Fat Pat, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Big Pokey, all of [The] Screwed Up Click, UGK, and Swishahouse. He paved the way for so many current genres and I’m here for all of it.. except maybe “slowed and reverb” which just seems like gentrified chopped & screwed to me.
How do your Russian roots play a part in your artistry?
Sonically, the use of diminished chords or parallel minor keys in a generally major progression is common in European music, evoking a melancholy or nostalgic undertone to contrast an overall bright song. For me personally, it reflects my being born in a country experiencing civil war and social collapse - a darkness was instilled in me from birth that comes out despite having a good life now.
You started DJing in 2008 and now you have students of your own—you've even given me a lesson! What's the key advice you give to anyone starting off?
Go for it! It can be overwhelming with all the genres, buttons, scene politics, flyers, potential routes to take, and inevitable roadblocks; if you surround yourself with solid influences you’ll go far. Utilize resources like YouTube, open decks, or hire someone to give you lessons ;) Another big piece of advice is to go out and meet other DJs, but not just to milk them for knowledge or gigs.. then you’re just using them and that’s not cool. Become their actual friend, get to know them, especially if they’re in a similar phase on their djourney. The buddy system is great.
Photo: Candice Conner
In your interview with Half Moon, you talk about your name coming from your love of sports cars. Do you ever feel confined by the innate branding of a luxurious lifestyle affecting your sound or image, or does the name more so encapsulate who you are as a person and artist already?
#realjournalism right there, wow. It’s important to have a distinct identity as an artist, and the nature of being a human is to be confined to one’s own self, so I’ve embraced it. Though our capitalist society associates luxury with garish tokens, it also comes in many forms that don’t have to be opulent. My family came to America with $200, so simply being alive is a luxury. I’ve worked hard and been blessed in many ways, so sports cars are a symbol of achievement to me, and the ever-increasing bounds of their performance inspire me to similarly push myself to new heights of artistry. I also just love driving fast.
Last month, Zack Fox announced his new party, SPORT MODE, a term you've used a lot throughout your career. How did you feel when you saw that?
It’s funny because my new party series is called FOX MODE. But nah, the word “sport” is pretty ubiquitous in fashion, lifestyle, cars, music, heck even deodorant and tampons; it just means we’re onto the same thematic tip. I saw a video of Zack playing my OJ Da Juiceman - No Hook jersey club remix at one of his events, so it’s all love. He also recently followed me on IG and might be reading this… Could I get a booking for a forthcoming one and take it to SUPR SPORT MODE?
Outside of music and cars, you're also into fashion. How did your interest in that start?
Music and fashion go hand in hand as expressions of self, and it probably began during my emo/hardcore phase in high school - I really liked how bold the designs on band tees were. I would go to Goodwill and get women’s jeans then take them in at the ankles to make them skinny, before they started selling men’s skinny jeans at places like Target a few years later. I got bullied for it a lot, but in retrospect, the hardcore to DJ pipeline is so real (prime example is Skrillex being in the band From First to Last, and I actually got to see them perform in 2006).
What's the secret to buying and selling pieces on eBay?
I love buying on eBay because I’ve found some of the most unique items, especially custom ones, that can’t be found anywhere else. You gotta go down the rabbit hole sometimes and go to page 27 of the search results, that’s where the real gems are. Even for generally available items, I look on eBay first because there’s a chance you can find it for lower than MSRP, brand new. As for selling, it’s important to take lots of high quality photos, disclose any defects, communicate promptly, and ship items within the stated time frame. I take great pride in my 100% positive seller rating.
People might not know this, but you've probably tried more chicken sandwiches than anyone else in New York City. What are the qualities of the perfect chicken sandwich and who makes the best one?
The wetter the better. The two modes of chicken sandwich I like are grilled or fried - I get grilled chicken when I’m trying to be healthy, so I add lots of vegetable toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno) and chipotle mayo, usually on a hero bun. When I’m fried I go fried, and in that case the breast gotta be juicy but with a nice crunch on the breading, topped with cole slaw or a pickle on a roll (sesame is my fav). I enjoy extremely spicy food, so a nice scotch bonnet or ghost pepper sauce is a must. Sunrise Deli in Bushwick makes my favorite grilled chicken sandwich; fried chicken I’d say either 8-Bit Bites if you want to pay $7 or Mekelburg’s if you want to pay $18.
Which artists, DJs, producers, labels, or collectives should heads know?
Store Run Radio (NoahG, Grabba Ranks, and me), Dara Genesis <3, RapRave, Amadeezy, Ron Mercy, DJ Failure, TDLuke and the Juice Boyz, Bodegaparty, Josway, Eden + Mata, Aleister, DJ-SUN, Tromac, Shekdash, Celebrity Bitcrush, JuanDeOne, Geeky Minajj, Chelita, Certified Jesus Freak, dazegxd, AG, Radioface
What can we expect from this mix?
Lots of my original music/remixes/collabs and friends’ music. High bpm (150-180) bass-heavy breakbeat-infused, booming bangers. Jersey club, Miami bass, trance, breaks, speed garage, electro, jungle, and just a touch of phonk.
Is there anything I haven't asked you that you want to talk about? Anything you want to promote?
Thank you for your thoughtful questions! I’m dropping a new song, "SUPRCHITO," at the end of the month so keep an eye out for that. Also make sure to follow Store Run Radio on YouTube - we record DJ sets at a deli in Bed-Stuy.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Support SUPR SPRT on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Plus, check out when he'll be in your city next via Resident Advisor and keep up on his website.
TRACKLIST
SUPR SPRT - Go White Boy (feat Chanel Bankss)
Tromac - POWERUP
Regis - Montagem Game 196 Bootleg
Grabba Ranks, Yazmine - FREAKY AHH HO
Tagi - need oxygen
Don Toliver - Private Landing (dev flip)
Bobby Shmurda - Computers (SUPR SPRT Cringe Remix)
Sicko Mobb - Fiesta (DJ Brian Seacrest Remix)
Amadeezy - Bass On The Beach (feat Ron Mercy)
JEWELSSEA - Heal Our Inner Child And Chill
Aleister - Citric Arson
Gucci Mane - Candy Lady (SUPR SPRT Garage Remix)
DJ Failure - All Nite Long
SHA SHA KIMBO - Hyperspeed Kiss
Artemas - I Like The Way You Kiss Me (Constantine Club Remix)
SUPR SPRT x JuanDeOne - She Said
Cash Cobain - FISHERRR (shekdash remix)
SKINNIEZ - PAIN
Dazegxd - way 2 good (idc)
DJ-SUN - Whatchu Need
SUPR SPRT - booty got swag
