10 Questions with ... MC Magic

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

High School DJ turned rapper, selling custom personalized songs at the Phoenix Swap Meet on weekends financed the launch of Nastyboy Records, Nastyboy Klick and NB Ridaz. 1995 began a string of radio hits ranging from "Lost in Love" to "Sexy Lady" most every song built on the foundation of the format Magic calls "Latino Hip Hop Ballads". Today Magic's hustle has expanded to the digital world, since returning to being a solo artist, Magic has sold over 3 million digital units.

1. Do you remember the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio?

Yes. ART LABOE was one of the first people to play one of my songs on the radio. It was a cool feeling...a sense of accomplishment.

2. Not only are you a recording artist, producer and songwriter but don't you run a record label?

Yes, I do, Nastyboy Records. It's not something everyone has been able to successfully accomplish but the rewards and stress in the long run are worth it.

3. There are radio programmers that you've known for many, many years. Who are some of the ones that you've known and worked with the longest?

Wow! There are so many but the very first person that comes to mind is the one of the first that gave my song a shot; Don Parker at KKFR in 1997. So many other great programmers, too...Ant Dog, Pattie Moreno, Patti Diaz, Rick Thomas, Bobby Ramos, Brian "Big Bear" Davis, J. Reed , Joey Boy, Eric Sean, Mikey Fuentes, Complex and so many more.

4. What new artists and their work excite you as a music fan?

I really like Kreayshawn from Oakland, Snow Tha Product and Espinoza Paz as new artists but I'm also a fan of established artists that continue to make successful songs like Pitbull and Kanye. I'm enjoying several newer artists, also.

5. Where do you find inspiration when you head into the studio?

I like writing songs that can be re-discovered even five years after their peak. So I focus on relationship songs and inspiration can come from movies or real life experiences, both mine or people I see going through life.

6. Like most people in all fields, you've had your professional ups and downs. What would be some of the career highlights?

Initially, it was tough to take the stage "alone" post NB Ridaz. The Lowrider Magazine car show tour in Phoenix 2005 was the very first time I did that. It was the first time I entered the stage with my two flags stage intro. The combination of emotion and 17,000 crowd reaction was a major highlight. Another highlight was the 2007 Latino 96.3 Cali Bash concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim...16,000 people!

7. Who are some of your musical influences?

Zapp and Roger Troutman is #1 considering I was blessed with his actual talkbox. But the list is ever growing because new hits bring new inspiration Babyface, Banda El Recodo, Drake, Far East Movement, Jenni Rivera and even the newer artists inspire.

8. Does it surprise you to turn on a radio and hear a Katy Perry on a historically Rhythmic radio station like a KKFR?

No...it isn't surprising to see. Every station is chasing the same prize. I've even heard some Rhythmic's play Lady Antebellum "Need You Now", so I'm not surprised. I see it as a good thing. Maybe one day you'll hear MC Magic on a Top 40 Pop station or even a Country station.

9. Who are you working with now in the studio?

Right now my primary focus is promoting my newest release, THE REWIRE but there are a few up-n-coming artists that I am developing new songs with. It is a very exciting time.

10. What's on the way from Nastyboy?

We are going to re-release "THE REWIRE" with several new singles and a few remixes, later in the year. I'm also developing songs for a couple new artists that we believe in, plus we are regrouping to continue the evolution. We're doing more social networking, aimed directly at the fans, to continue to create awareness of the music and various projects. I actually jumped into some acting this year, had an appearance on the TNT series "SOUTHLAND" and the Jenni Rivera/MUN2 Reality Series "I LOVE JENNI" so I'm definitely excited about pursuing that. We are seeking many non-traditional methods to keep expanding our fan base without losing the essence of why music has brought us this far.