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 episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout, we sit down with Manic Focus. The genre-bending producer who has built a reputation on soulful beats, heavy grooves, and an unfiltered approach to storytelling through music.
From his first concert memories to the dynamics of working with his brother as both manager and creative partner, Manic Focus opens up about the honesty, trust, and tension that shape his art. We dive into his unique production style, how he avoids chasing trends by designing sounds with swing and swagger, and the lessons he’s learned from years of performing on stage.
He also speaks candidly about living with bipolar I, how music serves as his medicine, and why being open about mental health matters not only for himself but for the wider community of fans and artists. Along the way, we touch on his biggest live inspirations, creative rituals, and what it means to keep growing while staying true to your sound.
🎧 Listen to Manic Focus: https://manicfocus.com
📲 Follow Manic Focus: https://www.instagram.com/manicfocus
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
Chapters:
00:00 – First Concert Memories (Pretenders & B-52s)
01:12 – Working With His Brother as Manager
04:23 – Early Inspirations & Making Beats
05:42 – Sound Design, Wobbles, and Avoiding Trends
10:41 – Music, Mental Health & Bipolar I Journey
12:40 – Game-Changing Concert: Moby’s Play Tour
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
