Belizian Voodoo Priest is one of 5 different aliases for DJ/Producer/Miggedy Ent. Executive Director Steve Miggedy Master.
“Miggedy” came up with the nickname around 2009 to separate his Afro House side of him from his other “personalities”.
This album is a collection of slick rhythms, well-placed samples, spinning pads and keys, deep basses, and DRUMS DRUMS DRUMS!
We have had the pleasure of speaking with him and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music?
I am born & raised in Chicago. I have been into music since I was born. My dad was my vinyl inspiration. My parents and relatives are from Belize so I had a wide range & access of music from all genres. I’ve been DJing all my life. Started playing guitar at 6, piano at 10 and drums & bass at 15. I was also drawing a lot too.
Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?
Too many to name. I noticed as a kid how my dad liked the screamers in music. Aretha Franklin. Joe Cocker. Janis Joplin. The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Mighty Sparrow. So in turn I liked James Brown, David Ruffin & The Temptations, Michael Jackson & Prince. It made me understand about dynamics, volume control and crowd control.
How would you define your sound?
I have so many styles I do, there’s not a “sound”. It’s a vibe. The vibe is open, clean and full bottom. That’s why I only did an afro house album. A nu-disco/tech one is next.
How has your sound evolved so far?
I’ve been making music since 2008. Production, mixing, mastering, artwork: everything. I have learned to engineer better. I don’t have a sound because I have many sounds. I like all kinds of GOOD music.
What can you tell us about your last job? What inspired you? What do you want to convey?
My last job I was making old school R&B mixes for this syndication company called SuperRadio Networks. I had been working for them since 1994 and I had a wonderful time doing it but it was time to do something else. My Creator inspires me. Everyday. You have a gift given to you by The Creator to serve others around you & through the love of Him and me, I present it to you with love and respect. Love vibes are very real especially in House music. I’m a soldier and lover of House music.
What can you tell us about each song that makes up your latest work? What is hidden behind?
Here’s the thing. I don’t have a story about any of them. I make music all the time and switch styles daily. I day it’s disco, next it’s classic house, then it’s soulful, then afro, then deep house, then tech, etc. Once I’m done creating, I put my business hat on & decide what goes with what alias. I have 5 of them. Steve Miggedy Maestro is my singing guy/CEO. Morttimer Snerd III is my disco guy. Belizian Voodoo Priest is afro. Sir Soundbender is deep house & tech. The Beat-Trayers is the members together. So I just create, compile, do the artwork, upload & that’s my day.
How are you living the current situation because of COVID? Has your work affected you a lot? Do you think there is hope? I feel like the underground scene will continue to persist.
I had been working from home for years before COVID. If anything, I had increased my workload and tripled my sales because all the DJs were home. What else is there to do but shop for music and go live on FB. I was also blessed with an TV and internet radio job. Digimixdjs.com is the radio side. DEC.TV.com is the TV side. Every Saturday, we broadcast live house music from 9a-7p CST. I do the 11a-1p shift. This has led to us playing in Las Vegas, London & Italy so far. We have more dates around the world coming.
What projects are you working on right now?
I had started on a Morttimer Snerd III album but it has turned into a Beat-Trayers album. I did 10 or 11 songs; I just need to edit & sequence them. It’s gonna be a nu-disco/deep tech project. So far I’ve been playing it out & I’m getting great floor response. I think that’s coming out in June or July on my label, Miggedy Entertainment. I have a Carla Prather R&B album done but I think we’re going to NFT it. Currently, I’m prepping to go to Vegas and L.A. with my Digimix DJ/DEC.TV.net family April 1st for ten days & come home(Chicago) & do some house parties & events.
Buy/Pre-order: https://www.traxsource.com/title/1755265/drums-on-the-one
Social Media Links:
Steve Miggedy Maestro
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevemiggedy.maestro/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miggedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miggedy123/
Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/miggedy/
Bandcamp: https://stevemiggedymaestro.bandcamp.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevemiggedymaest
MMP Records
http://miggedy123.wix.com/miggedy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.m.maestro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miggedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miggedy123/
Bandcamp: https://stevemiggedymaestro.bandcamp.com/
Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/miggedy/
