flowerzindattic: FIDA Bangs The Drum with DJ/Remixer/Producer-Jihad Muhammad!!

by Christopher Flowers

Relevancy will dictate longevity and success. One's ability to be inventive and remain current as a DJ post millennium in the soulful House Music world is truly a masterful feat.  Technological advances in professional DJ equipage has made it easier for the novice (with the help of social media) to become a "D.J." Once upon a time, Disco and Club Music ruled the dance floor, nightclubs were in abundance and vinyl was the main tool for a DJ. What seems to be missing in this age from the DJ persona is the ability to translate that feeling of "playing vinyl" through digital means. Digital dexterity via the style of vinyl manipulation (blending, overlaying, melody mixing, etc.), the art of programming and most importantly sociability will determine a DJ's popularity, respect, love and admiration.

Positioned in the upper echelons of the soulful dance music arena, Newark, NJ native DJ/Remixer/Producer Jihad Muhammad not only possesses each of those aforementioned DJ attributes, he has championed the art of DJing and programming that soar above and beyond the standard. He's acquired the love, respect, admiration and loyalty of the House Music community reserved for deities.   His bid for legendary status has been accepted and no doubt will be approved very soon. Out from among the second wave of pioneering NYC/NJ metropolitan DJ’s who held the torch in Newark’s underground club scene (Tony Humphries, Camacho, Naeem Johnson, Timmy Regisford, Merlin Bobb), Jihad quickly became Essex County’s new HOT, young DJ in the early 90’s.   His charm, social graces and good looks are rare pluses; however, it is his “butter smooth”, seamless mixing, creative programming that can drive a crowd into a frenzy or crafting moods that hypnotizes the listener/dancer.

Jihad has been a faithful advocate of Club music, House Music, music in general, heralded here in New Jersey and a favorite in choice venues nationally and global House Music nightclubs, festivals and events. He is DJ royalty and holds court each month at the Cricket Club in Irvington, NJ with his slamming Bang The Drum party. Don’t be swayed by that title, “Bang The Drum” is more than “drumming”, it’s an eclectic, potpourri of sounds within the current House music paradigm.   It’s jazzy, sweet and deep, rough-hewn and minimal, ever so soulful and can be classic when the mood is right.   Jihad has come a long way from being a "clubhead" dancer rockin’ the “Stomp” shoes, Girbaud baggy pants, flowing, over-sized buttoned down shirts, afrocentric beads and hi-top fade walking over to get water (not in plastic bottles at this time) from the gigantic plastic water bowl I was serving cups of water from as one of my duties as concessionaire at Club Zanzibar in the late 80's. I didn’t know him then (I met Jihad right after Tony Humphries left Zanzibar as its weekly resident DJ) but he stood out from among the rest of the hi-top fade kids bustin’ moves on the dance floor. Watching his ascendancy throughout the years to become a leader in today’s House music game is celebratory to say the least. I got a chance to chat with this amazing brother whose fans can’t seem to get enough of.

Christopher Flowers - When you asked me when you will be invited to another FIDA event, in that instance, I wanted you to play rather than be a spectator. Now, that you’ve slammed FIDA with your fabulous set, what are some of your take aways?

Jihad Muhammad - I had such a great time. I haven’t played a set like that in the open for years, not since the last time I was in Japan. I was just grateful that everyone there was open. I’m sure there may have been some that thought I couldn’t handle it but they don’t really know that side of me musically. I hope everyone enjoyed the presentation.

CF - Some of the FIDA members truly believed that I gave you a playlist of FIDA favs. I didn’t. All I said was that you can go from tempo to tempo and play lots of vocals. How did you know to play tunes like Kano’s – “Can’t Hold Back (Your Love)”, “Hi-Ya” by the Clark Sisters and other FIDA safeties?

JM - (Lol!) I played what I wanted basically. It's been years since I came to a FIDA party, but my history with you, going back to the 80’s, allowed me to tap into some jams I haven’t played in a while. Remember, some of the FIDA members that are there now that weren't there when you and I first started doing parties together, so they may not know our history.

CF - This is true. I would say the so-called "movers & shakers" in Jersey's scene today wouldn't know that either. It was really, really underground. There was no social media back then. The technology we have now was in its infancy. It was only word-of-mouth and flyers. You’ve had an illustrious career as one of the premier DJ’s coming out of NJ. What do you think about when looking back to where you were in the early part of your career to now?

JM - I feel that the key to my growth has been consistency. I’m always trying to keep myself current with the music and with the scene. I am humbled and feel quite blessed to be where I am now. It’s been a long journey from listening to Timmy's (Regisford) and Tony's (Humphries) radio mixshows to having shared the stage with them at some point.

CF - Do you still get the same feeling getting behind the decks as you did when you first started?

JM - Yes I do. You never really lose that feeling. With certain gigs, nervousness sets in at times like it did when I first started playing in front of crowds, but now I know how not to let it show (Lol!).

CF - What do you attest to your longevity?

JM - Going back to your previous question, it has been consistency. I’m always trying to evolve musically. I’m always trying to forge relationships with my peers and with those who support me.

CF - Your technical skill is masterful. It’s definitely a skill from the school of those iconic, experienced and innovative pioneer Disco/Dance DJ’s. Who influenced your style and technique?

JM - Two men….Timmy Regisford and Tony Humphries.

CF - I kinda figured that, since you mentioned that you were listening to their radio mixshows.

JM - Yes. Tony’s blending skills were impeccable. The first time I heard him I knew I always wanted to mix like he did. He always knew how to present a record to make you like it. Timmy’s style to me was more raw and gritty. I used to be in the booth while he played at Club Shelter (NYC) and I was always amazed at how he pulled certain mixes off.

CF - Travelling. You’ve been just about everywhere around the globe. What was it like when you first played internationally? How does that experience compare to today when you play in other countries?

JM - My first trip abroad was to Naples, Italy in 1996...thanks to DJ Camacho for that. It was an eye opener in terms of what kind of music I could play that I couldn’t get away with here in the states. Even now, I feel like there are certain jams that I could rock in Europe that I may not get away with here. I think that you're allowed to push past certain boundaries overseas than when you play here in the states. Well, at least when you're playing Soulful House music. There’s more of an open acceptance there than it is here.

CF - You’ve did just about every Soulful House party/club/event in the NJ/NYC area. What are some of the ones that stand out for you?

JM - FIDA stands out as one of my more recent gigs (This interview was done a few weeks after the FIDA party in April 2019. He's done many events since then). The times I have done the major outdoor House events like Lincoln Park and Warinanco Park. I must mention my Bang The Drum Parties are always the ones I look forward to doing. My b’day party with Louie Vega was definitely one for the books. The Shelter Anniversaries are always dope and also big props to Louie Vega’s Expansion parties as well.

CF - Ahhhh yes...Bang The Drum (BTD)! Yes, your B-Day party last December at (BTD) was so packed no one could move! How does having a very popular event in these “hit or miss” times make you feel?

JM - Makes me feel great!!!!!! We had Louie Vega, who’s a King of House and it was also a themed event. I only wish that the scene can be like that every night, but in these days and times you have to be way more creative to have packed nights like that.

CF - Absolutely! That's an independent topic for another interview! So, what does the future hold for Bang The Drum (BTD)? Have you had the 10 year anniversary party yet? If not, what do you have planned for that milestone event?

JM - Our 10 Year mark has passed this year.

CF - Oh wow. That's awesome.

JM - But I haven’t had a 10 year event as of yet. Maybe I’ll do it in November but I really haven’t thought about doing anything special as of yet.

CF - You've thrown a few legendary events in the past as well and know all the challenges that come with it. Personally, I loved Metro Galaxy (and the Spot!) tell me how did your Metro Galaxy party come about?

JM - Metro started after I left Club Eclipse (Irvington, NJ). I wanted to do a party with more current music since at the time everyone was on the classic tip. We started right after 9/11 and ran for about a year. It was a very fun time musically and right when we were starting to build it up we closed. The New York crew always called Metro “ The Shelter Warmup “ party.

CF - I attended your Bang The Drum (BTD) party at the Cricket Club in Irvington (NJ) late Summer/Fall of 2018. Your set was more diverse than I had expected (from all the chatter from various people, I was expecting all Afro Tech). Are you able to deviate from that sound more now than before?

JM - I wonder what that chatter was about? (Lol) You know me, I’ve always been diverse.

CF - Personally, I like your jazzy, eclectic Vocal House and those obscure joints as well as the 4/4 jazzy track-oriented tunes and antiques. But I know that you have an Afro-Tech, Afro-Electro side as well.

JM - I have many sides to myself when it comes to music. There are times when feel like I want to play this and there are other times when I want to be like that. When I stared (BTD) it was "a themed party" focused more on the Afro House style of music. I was recently told that if it wasn’t for me playing Afro House in Jersey that others DJ’s (locally and abroad) wouldn’t have felt comfortable at all playing it when invited to play.

CF - But it seems that sound has supplanted everything that came before it and is heralded as the new Soulful House sound of today. What is your contribution to Afro-House/Tech? How did this current generation of “Soulful” House heads become so entranced with Afro House/Tech to point of excluding of everything else that’s danceable and yet soulful?

JM - Afro House or African influenced music has always been around. For us, at one point, it wasn’t Black Coffee but it was Fela and Tony Allen. As far as my productions, I don’t really call it Afro House. I feel that I incorporate a little bit of Afro and Soulful styles in my music. In my opinion, I will say that Afro House as a genre has pushed itself ahead of Soulful House in the NYC/NJ area. There hasn’t been too many outstanding soulful records made and the ones that are dope get played over and over again. I will say that the ones that are dope are being produced by international producers. Also, Louie Vega has been making some of the hottest soulful gems as of late. Mark Francis, DJ Beloved, Sean Ali, Doug Gomez, Sheree Hicks and DJ Spen to name a few have been on my Soulful Radar as well.

CF - Interesting.

JM - There’s always a method to my madness. Now feel like I don’t have to focus on it too much because it has become a norm for any DJ, from the bar scene to the underground scene to play some form of Afro House. I try not to make (BTD) that much different from the 1st Saturday’s party that I also do at Cricket Club. I go in now and just play what I want.

CF - Do you think it’s good for an audience to be programmed into one type of groove or sound?

JM - Not at all. Music comes in various forms and I think it’s our job as DJ’s to to show the audience what’s really going on in the world. What I do think is that today’s audience isn’t as musically educated as yesterday’s audience was. Some only want to hear one genre, they don’t want to hear classic, etc. They just don’t come open for hearing just good music whether it’s old or new. Also, comparisons are made about who plays better than who has diluted the scene to some degree.

CF - That's another topic we can go on and on about. This current clique of Househeads like what they like and are into that one groove because it gets them off. It's the sound that's being made and played. Diversity doesn't fit in that model. What is it about music and DJing in that you made a name for yourself and achieved notoriety and respect relegated to a choice few?

JM - Just being on the scene and keeping myself up to par with music. There was a time when I passed out tapes/CD’s to everyone that would take them. I spent more than enough money buying music, doing parties just to get my name out there. When you do something you love folks will take notice at some point. I’m grateful that the ones I grew up listening to on the radio took notice and that I have had a chance to share the same stage with them.

CF - What is your definition of “underground” in the context of dance music culture? Do you think it has the same meaning today as it did in the 80’s & early 90’s?

JM - Yes. I think Underground is still a relevant term. Music that isn’t the norm, the ones you won’t hear anywhere else but in the clubs are the Underground jams. Once the Underground DJ’s make a song hot then the bar scene jumps on it and it isn’t as "underground" as it was before.

CF - You have a host of remixes and productions under your belt. Name a few that we may not know that you did?

JM - Wow…. I think the ones I did are all on traxsource.com. I don’t really ghost produce so I think most may know the ones that I have already done.

CF - Do you prefer DJing or music production or both?

JM - I prefer Djing. Production is fun at times but when you find yourself doing both at the same time you lose something in either one or the other. I've always enjoyed DJing from day one so it’s really my first love.

CF - What artists or producers that you worked with that gave you that “Wow” factor?

JM - I did a remix for Hill St. Soul called" New Day" on Brian Power’s Label in The UK. I always loved her music so when was asked I hopped on it quick. When I did the remix for Louie’s jam “Live Your Life” that was dope. Also, I love working with Sheree Hicks who, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated singers in the scene.

CF - Have you expanded your Movement Soul record label to include any subsidiaries or is it still just the one? What have you released to date?

JM - I haven’t expanded it. It’s still Movement Soul and we are committed to putting out whatever we want. We have merged with Quantize Records and Milk & 2Sugars (M&2S) so they do our distribution now. I just finished a mixed compilation for Quantize with songs from both Movement Soul and Quantize to be released soon.

CF - What do you listen to when you are just chillin’ by yourself?

JM - Jazz 88 and WCBS are my go to radio stations when I’m chillin’.

CF - Do feel you’re legendary? Or have yet to be?

JM - Seems like that’s a term used for everybody these days. I’m just a messenger delivering happiness to folks through the art of music.

CF - What are your plans for 2020?

JM - To continue to put out good music, do good parties and make folks happy by the will of God.

Jihad Muhammad Top Ten Current House Joints