In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path.
Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships.
We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity.
🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com
🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
The Podcast for Producers
Chapters
00:00 Intro & name origin
02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator
05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago
08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops)
11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris
18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago
23:00 The Columbia College chapter
26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom
33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything
39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose
45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism
51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon
56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity
1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own
1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY!
1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration
1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership
1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A
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In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path.
Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships.
We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity.
🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com
🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
The Podcast for Producers
Chapters
00:00 Intro & name origin
02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator
05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago
08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops)
11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris
18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago
23:00 The Columbia College chapter
26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom
33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything
39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose
45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism
51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon
56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity
1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own
1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY!
1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration
1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership
1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A
Had the chance to catch up with the homies EAZYBAKED backstage at Sound Haven 2024. We talk about their first concert (Mac Miller + hotboxed arenas), early inspiration from Wiz Khalifa’s day-to-day vlogs, and what it feels like to play iconic venues like Red Rocks and the Ogden Theater.
They share stories from the road, what it’s like being in full creative control right now, and how wild their Shambhala set was last weekend. There’s some Swiftie talk, too—don’t ask, just watch.
Poducer
In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path.
Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships.
We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity.
🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com
🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
The Podcast for Producers
Chapters
00:00 Intro & name origin
02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator
05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago
08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops)
11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris
18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago
23:00 The Columbia College chapter
26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom
33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything
39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose
45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism
51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon
56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity
1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own
1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY!
1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration
1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership
1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A
