DJ PROFILE: OG RON C

For anyone who isn’t familiar with you, tell everyone who you are and where you’re from?
OG Ron C out the Wreckin’ Yard, representin’ H-Town – Houston, Texas.

How did you get started DJing?
Actually, I got started when I was in a rap group in the late 80’s. While we were producing a demo we didn’t have anyone to make the beats. One of our partners had some turntables and I started fuckin’ around with them. I decided then that I wanted to be the man that handled all the music.

Just to clear up some of the confusion for some of the old-school music heads like myself: You are not the rapper Ron C who was signed to Profile Records back in the day, who everyone thought was Too Short’s alter ego?
Nah, that’s not me. That’s the Trendsetta Ron C, outta Dallas.

Aight, thanks for the clarification. So, tell me, who all is down with the Wreckin’ Yard?
You’ve got myself, of course, OG Ron C, and Mr. Caleb, Kool Rod, and Big Nik.

What’s your involvement with Chamillionaire?
My relationship with Chamillionaire is solid. We’ve been down since day one. I was real instrumental in putting him on back in the day when I was with Swishahouse, and we still together now, stronger than ever.

I hear Chamillionaire recently signed a label deal with Universal Records?
Yep, we just signed the whole label Chamillitary Records with Universal. I’m the official DJ for the label. I’ll be doing the underground mixtapes, and if you see Chamillionaire on tour, you’ll see me.

Since you’ve got strong ties to Cham, I’ve got to ask you about the problems between him and the Swishahouse camp. With all the success that Texas artists are enjoying right now, there seems to be animosity between two of the biggest artists in the scene. What are your thoughts on that situation?
A lot of people want to know what my opinion is on the Mike Jones and Chamillionaire issue. I haven’t spoke on it, so this is the very first time I’m going to say anything about it. This is for anyone who’s involved or anyone who thinks they’ve got something to say about the situation: Keep your opinions to yourself, and enjoy the time we’re having right now. It’s looking real good right now in Texas. The whole industry is watching what we doing. Lastly, when you do certain things you’ve gotta be able to deal with the consequences involved with your actions. Like, if you rob someone, you can’t just walk around thinking that nobody ain’t gon’ try and rob you. I mean, [Mike Jones] did some thangs, said some thangs, did a lotta internet shit, and some other shit. A lil’ talking here, a lil’ talking there. It got to the point where everywhere [Chamillionaire and I] went, we hearing [Mike Jones] is saying this about us. So we did what we had to do. And just to be clear, this is as far as it’s going. No one is gonna get hurt, and we ain’t wishin’ no ill will toward anyone. But we’re not just gon’ sit here and lay down. Fuck that.

Now that we’re done with that topic, let’s talk about OG Ron C. You’re known for being one of the premier DJ’s when it comes to screwed & chopped music. What makes your style of screwin’ and choppin’ different than the thousand new DJ’s that are doing that particular style of DJing right now?
Man, I’m so glad you asked me that question. And before I even answer, let me first say rest in peace to DJ Screw. Now, with that in mind, I was a big DJ Screw fan and I still am. I’ll still pick up a Screw tape and listen to it. That’s pretty much the only way I’ll listen to slowed down music, so when you pick up an OG Ron C tape, I try to keep the true essence of a Screw tape. The scratchin’, the cutting, the draggin’, the choppin’, all of that shit – not computer shit. I’m givin’ you some real DJing, and that’s what DJ Screw did. You can tell that there’s someone on the turntables givin’ it to you the way you want it.

How do you feel about labels sending out screwed and chopped vinyl, not just a screwed and chopped album? Being a DJ myself, I think sending screwed 12” to DJs is trash.
Once again, it goes back to the art of that particular style of DJing. If you wanna get it the way it’s supposed to be done, then the shit the labels are doing is going about it the wrong way. Even though I would still do the full version screwed and chopped albums, I wouldn’t do the wax. Oh, and print this: Stop spending money on all that other bullshit and put that into the promotional budget! Stop putting screw on wax and spend the money promoting these artists properly. And all you lazy-ass DJs using that shit, get off your ass and learn how to use the damn pitch control.

Do you think labels doing things like that is disrespectful to a DJ like yourself?
I don’t necessarily think it’s disrespectful. But I do think it’s a slap in the face when labels go outside of Houston to get their product screwed and chopped. And by saying that, I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone outside of Houston who’s doing screwed and chopped music the right way. It’s all love, and that allows the music to grow and expand worldwide. I just feel like we in Houston have earned the right to be offered those projects first. That’s like buying a Cuban cigar that was made in California.

Do you feel like the labels are coming through right now and snatchin’ up all these artists in Houston without giving you the proper credit for breaking these artists?
Honestly, yes, I do. I’m gonna tell you why I feel that way. The DJ is so important, because if it wasn’t for the DJ, the music would never be heard. So, yeah, I feel like I should be given mo re credit for the work that I’ve done in breaking a lot of these artists from Texas. But I’m not gonna sit around and whine and cry about it. If another muthafucker never thanks me, I’m cool, because I’m blessed. I thank God for everything I’ve been able to do.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Make sure you tell all these people around the world to holla at the OG so they can quit gettin’ slopped up, and get chopped up! Also be on the lookout for Mr. Caleb’s Supersize coming December 8th and the Major With A Major Deal mixtape featuring OG Ron C and Chamillionaire.

Is there any contact info you’d like to give out?
Yeah, this is for the independent cats who have problems with radio DJs who don’t wanna play your music. You can send freestyles, CDs, or whatever to OG Ron C, 3418 Hwy 6 South, Suite B #108, Houston, Texas 77082. You can also hit me up at OGRonC@tmail.com.