King of Ghetto House/Juke

Cue the bass…Deep in the heart of the ghetto, on the mean streets of Chicago’s infamous Southside, a music pioneer was born…
From the beginning, Thomas “DJ Slugo” Kendricks was influenced by his cousin, Dj Geno, a member of a local Chicago hot mix group, and other local icons such as the Hot Mix 5 (of Chicago radio). Slugo, with 20+ years in the game, over 20 albums in his pocket and over 50 CDs on the street, began a journey that lead him to become one of the original creators of a style of music commonly known as Ghetto House, more recently regarded as Juke.

Describe to me your line of work
Lately it has been all business.   A typical day for me is in the studio on a daily trying to figure out the next move to make money, it’s a constant grind daily.  So I don’t have a particular job, I do whatever job is in reason that isn’t degradable that allows me to pay my bills for the next 30 days. I’m also the President of the Violator Juke Squad DJ’s.  

                 

How long have you been doing this?
 20 something odd years. 

Tell me about how you got into this business.
My cousins were DJ’s and that fascinated me because the girls  used to flock to them, and I liked girls.   My cousin used to sneak me into parties when I was young, so I would get inspired watching them do they thing.  I always wanted to be popular like that, back in my days it   was a popularity contest.

How would you define the word “success”?
The word success, hmmm.   I personally don’t think there is a definition for the word success because people who say their successful always want for something else.  It would entail being financially stable, comfortable and content with what you have.  People I know that are considered successful always strive for other things, so that means they aren’t comfortable.  So what is success?

Who is your fan/customer? 
Me.  I’m my biggest fan, I love myself so I don’t have to worry about somebody else loving me.  Other than that I considered my family to be my real fans, my mom and my aunt. 

What makes you appeal to them?
Longevity, people have known over the years that I am one of the guys that put it down.  When I did my mixtapes back in the day I never disappointed people, I put my all into it so it built up people’s confidence in my ability.  They know that I’m not gone put out no garbage so when it comes down to that last $10 you gone pick up my CD because you have never been disappointed over the years.

What makes you different from your competitors? 
My drive, plain and simple.  I want it when others don’t and I’m willing to go that extra mile.

What are some memorable moments during your journey?
Seeing my first record on vinyl.  Being able to go to a party and spin a record and watch your name spin in a circle, being a DJ you usually spin someone else’s. My first rave party being able to cross over to that demographic without missing a beat was great. 

What do you think are some important factors to remaining successful in this business?
Try to be as genuine as you can be, remain a realist and pay your dues.  

What do you think about the current state of you’re your industry?
It’s in an emergency state. They need to get a grasp on it real soon.  It needs help from somewhere real soon, I don’t know where but from somewhere they need to change it around, 1 A & R at a time. 

What would be your advice to someone getting started in this industry?
Own everything, don’t let anyone buy you anything.  Buy all your own equipment. 
           

Who Inspires you?
People with great minds.  The thinkers, the movers and the shakers.  Smart people.  People that strive to be something. 

Quotes
“Nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream”.
“Sleep is the cousin of death” 

Philosophy
Work hard, you’ll have plenty of time to sleep when you die.

What can we expect from you in 2008? 
Really I don’t know what 2008 holds, Ima take it one day at a time and pray that I get something positive as well as lucrative out of it and give something positive and lucrative back to the community.

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