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
In this live episode of Poducer, recorded at Summer’s End Smokeout, we sit down with Joe Nice — a pioneering figure often credited with bringing Dubstep to the United States. From launching the legendary Dub War parties in New York to shaping the global spread of the genre, Joe has been at the heart of underground culture for nearly two decades.
We dive into his journey as a tastemaker, his thoughts on the modern expectation for DJs to also be producers, and how he stays grounded through organization, sobriety, and a commitment to mental health. Joe also speaks on the responsibility of artists to use their platform for advocacy, his favorite sound systems around the world, and why unionization could be the future of fair treatment in electronic music.
🔥 Whether you’re a longtime Dubstep head or just discovering the roots of the scene, this conversation is packed with history, honesty, and perspective from one of the culture’s most respected voices.
📲 Follow Joe Nice: https://www.instagram.com/joenicedj
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction at Summer’s End Smokeout
00:20 – Joe Nice & the origins of Dub War
04:09 – DJ vs Producer: changing expectations in electronic music
07:16 – Mental health, energy, and preparation on tour
12:34 – Sobriety, veganism & living with balance
13:40 – Advocacy, activism & using your platform responsibly
18:10 – Sound system culture & community through music and food
22:13 – Unionization & fair treatment for DJs and artists
25:11 – Closing thoughts & gratitude
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
