The
Infamous Mad Linx has been a powerful force on radio since 1994. Believing
that you should always strive to become better, Linx has never stopped
his quest to be the best.
Since joining Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 2005, Mad Linx has guided "Rap City" into becoming one of the top TV shows in the young adult market. Throughout his career, he has proven not only to be ahead of the game, but often a trendsetter on the airwaves.
Peep the interview below to find out what's good with his latest DVD, and where he gets the drive behind his success.
Shine: What inspired you to get into the business when you started out in '94?
Mad Linx: What happened was, I'm a DJ, and what ended up happening was getting into radio allowed me to have a creative outlet. Also, I'm a little bit of a control freak, and it gave me the opportunity to hear the songs I wanted to hear. So from that I started doing radio, and then I had a great opportunity to become part of the BET family.
Shine: Which do you prefer, the broadcast element or performing live as a DJ?
Mad Linx: I love both. I get different things out of each one, and I think they both complement each other. Being a DJ actually helps me out on the broadcast side, as far as knowing what music and artists are hot at the moment.
Shine: Do you think the role of DJs is changing as hip-hop becomes more commercial?
Mad Linx: Absolutely. I don't think people who carry the title can even DJ. Listen to most mixtapes. They're trash. I have no problem with mixtapes being a viable way for music to get out, but I don't think it's a mixtape.
Shine: You've said before that it's important to work hard to be succesful in life. Where does your drive to be successful come from?
Mad Linx: Fear of not being successful. Fear of not knowing how I'm going to pay my bills. Fear of knowing that I'm going to be old one day, and I still want to be able to relax and have a good life.
Shine: How has life changed for you since you took over as host of "Rap City?"
Mad Linx: People are always talking about how people change. It's not always that the individual changes, but the situation changes, and sometimes the people around that person change. You never know 100 percent what someone's intentions are. So you have to be very cautious of your surroundings and environment.
And people are just people, and sometimes they recognize you, and sometimes they just want to say hello.
Shine: How would you describe the new dynamic of the show?
Mad Linx: Obviously it's changed with a new host and a new set. And I'm a DJ, not an MC. Big Tigger was an MC, and he used to get in the booth with the artists. So now, we got turntables in the booth. Which makes it even more like an underground hip-hop experience. And that's a great thing.
Shine: Tell me about the new DVD?
Mad Linx: Yeah, the DVD. "On the Grind." There's so many DVDs out now and they all have their niche. I'm trying to do something different. I'm trying to give people the insight into what it is that I do.
Sometimes people have ideas and opinions of you based on what they see on TV. People make assumptions. "Rap City" is a job, it's not who I am.
Shine: What are some of the assumptions people have made about you?
Mad Linx: I know that in first taking over "Rap City," there was an assumption of "Who the hell is this light-skinned dude? You know he don't know nuttin' about hip-hop."
But I know that, in my market, I was the first to play Nas on the radio, Biggie on the radio, Pac on the radio. So for someone to think I don't know hip-hop is hilarious to me. Especially when most of the time I could talk these dudes under the table when it comes to hip-hop. So that's hilarious to me.
Shine: What's next for you professionally?
Mad Linx: Professionally, I'm hoping for continued success. I'd like to do things...more DVDs...more mixtapes. And I've always been interested in, and a student of film, so I'd like to look into independent things film-wise. Both in front of and behind the camera.
Shine: Finally, after all the hard work you've put in over the years -- was it worth it?
Mad Linx: Absolutely. Every opportunity I have to take another breath I'm thankful for. There's so many other things I could be doing, I'm thankful to de doing this. Monday through Friday, from 5 to 6 p.m, on BET.
For more MAD LINX check out: www.madlinx.com
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