DJ Semi presents Ready to Die. The O.G. Version (interview)

If you heard any broadcast in January, you will remember that our album of the month was Ready to Die (The OG Edition), a collection of all the original versions and some demos of Biggie‘s first album, mixed and released as a mixtape by DJ Semi.

Here we have an interview with the author, where he presents himself, tells us a little more about his mixtape and reminds us of some anecdotes from the album.

ASGARD: First of all, who is DJ Semi? What do you normally do as a DJ?
DJ Semi: DJ Semi aka the Mixtape Marvel is a comic book character. He came on the scene to protect the mixtape game from all evil-doers. Nah, in all reality. Semi is a music lover. I started out 10 years ago at age 12. Since then I’ve been releasing epic mixtape projects, and spinning at events all over the world. This year alone, I’ve DJed on stage for Lil’ Wayne, Ne-Yo, T.I., Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones, and more.

Where and how did you get the O.G. versions of the album?
I consider myself Biggie’s number one fan. ‘The O.G. Edition’ was actually the second of 3 Notorious B.I.G. tribute projects that I’ve released. The demo and original versions of the tracks that I obtained for the CD were collected over the years from individuals who were closely involved with the making of ‘Ready to Die’. These are the songs we were meant to hear before Puffy got his executive producer hands on them!

How did you heard about the tracks?
There’s been a ton of media coverage on the making of Ready to Die (shout to XXL), and even a book by hip-hop journalist Cheo Hodori Coker that mentions a lot of these original demo tracks. I knew they had to be out there somewhere, and made it my personal goal to hunt them down.

Why did you decide to release them? Did the “Notorious” movie release influence your decision?
Biggie has a huge diehard fanbase that I knew would love to hear the original versions of these timeless records. Ready to Die (The O.G. Edition) was actually released around July-August of 2008, so It wasn’t released in conjunction with the “Notorious” film. My latest released project, “Forever” is my REAL tribute to Biggie. I consider that project my baby. If you haven’t heard it yet – be sure to check it out on AcesFullEvents.com

What’s the historical significance for you and the impact it is having or will have on the scene?
Ready to Die is such a highly respected album in hip-hop, that I thought it would be enlightening to show fans what Biggie wanted it to sound like. The project also shows how hip-hop albums go through numerous stages of production and revisions before they see the light of day.

Some people have made me the comment that it is a release that they only could will hear once just for the curiosity, but they wouldn’t give it any more plays. What do you think about that?
Then they must not be huge fans of Biggie or Ready to Die. We’ve all heard the retail version hundreds of times – this is something refreshing. Picture yourself as Lil’ Cease and Biggie gives you a rough copy of the album to listen to before it releases. This is not your normal mixtape so to speak – it’s a trip in a time machine!

Is the tracklist included in your mixtape the original one, or is it composed by the versions you could get? Are there more versions or demos of the other tracks?
I set the CD up exactly like the retail album is set up (with the addition of the bonus tracks at the end). There are more demo versions for Biggie’s Life After Death album, but basically everything on the O.G. project is all that’s out there as far as demo’s from Ready to Die go.

The bonus tracks where part of the original version or bonus tracks that you got?
They were bonus tracks that I’ve had in the vault for some time now. Only “Whatchu Want” was intended to be for the retail “Ready to Die” album, but was removed from the CD before it came out.

What can you tell us about the O.G. versions? Specially unreleased ones, like “Macs and dons” or the Pepsi freestyle?
During the actual Ready to Die section of the CD, most of the O.G. versions feature different production or different lyrics. The “Macs & Dons” joint I actually premiered as a bonus track on my “Biggie Smalls Live” mixtape (2004). I was happy to see that they used it in a scene in the “Notorious” film, because I always thought “Macs” was a forgotten Biggie track. The Pepsi freestyle is actually a pretty funny story. It was produced by my man DJ Enuff, who used to be Big’s road DJ at one point in time. The commercial featuring the freestyle was never aired because right after they recorded it, Biggie was arrested and Pepsi dropped his endorsement deal. The Pepsi freestyle is just some good old fashioned, Biggie comedy. He’s talking about “non alcoholic, I can feed it to my children”. Shout to my man Enuff on that one – you can actually hear him at the beginning of the track listing off everything he’s got in his fridge. Classic!

Was there any trouble releasing the album (with labels, authors, etc.)?
No, no trouble. I actually find that I get a lot of support from the record labels on projects like this. I release Mix CDs for promotional use only. Think of this as a history lesson!

Have you received comments from any of the authors involved, like Premier, Pete Rock or even Puffy? Do you have any relation with them?
I’ve had the opportunity to speak to Pete Rock about the production he did for the album. Pete told me that Puffy basically ‘stole’ the “Juicy” track from him. The story goes like this – Pete was working on a beat based off of M’tume’s “Juicy Fruit” for another artist and Puff overheard it in the studio. Puff then had the Trackmasters (Tone & Poke) loop up “Juicy” fruit, and add a few elements to it. Pete was never credited for the production of the album version of “Juicy”, but did get his remix published. I think Pete’s version has more smack to it thanks to his drums. Also, Mister Cee (Biggie’s DJ and good friend) got a chance to hear some of the CD and it really took him back. That’s what I wanted to capture. Seeing people who worked on this album reminisce back on 93-94 was completely worth it.

You decided to publish it like an original album, without you involving in the mixing, or even screamings, sirens and that type of things that DJ’s like to use nowadays to get their name on the spot? Do you accustom to do some of this in your other mixtapes?
I always mix and scratch on all of my projects – and I usually talk and have my sound effects, but for this project I had to leave that alone. I wanted it to FEEL like the actual album, and not tarnish it with talking or drops. A lot of people thanked me for not using sound effects haha! I just wanted to keep it pure this time around. If you REALLY want to hear how I get down creatively on a mixtape – please check out the “Forever” mixtape (AcesFullEvents.com).

In the US, where can you get the mixtape, besides the Internet?
It was available on all of the mixtape retail websites, and in most of the mom and pop music stores throughout the country. It was heavily bootlegged, too. It’s slowly but surely becoming a true collectors edition item, though.

How come the mixtape didn’t get bigger attention from the media?
Honestly, it got more attention then I thought it would. AllHipHop.com covered it, and it was mentioned on Hot 97 in New York multiple times. I think this project was only meant to appeal to Biggie’s hardcore fanbase. Had it been unreleased Lil’ Wayne material – I’m sure there would have been a ton of media coverage.

What plans do you have? Any other O.G. edition or special?
I’m still promoting the Biggie “Forver” project, which I feel will definitely be a contender for Mixtape of the Year in 2009. Please vote for it at TheMixtapeAwardsOnline.com. I’m really trying to get my hands on more demo material from “Life After Death” as I would love to give the fans that one as well. The O.G. Edition might have to be a regular thing from me in the future – seeing how much the real fans love hearing this stuff. Maybe a 2Pac O.G. edition will see the light of day soon! This month I have a CD coming out with my good friend Jim Jones. Look out for that!

Anything you would like to add?
I just want to thank Trackzion 860 AM for the opportunity to talk about my projects. Shout to my man Asgard for holding me down! Thank you to all of my fans in CT/NY and the world over. I hope to make more noise with my projects in the future and deliver only quality music for the listeners. Go download that Biggie “Forever” project or cop the Collectors Edition hard copy. Shout to my Aces Full Family – KG whats good!? 2009 is here. New Year, new hustle!