The “Mixtape Awards” company was started in 1995 by Orpheous “Justo” Faison to distribute annual awards recognizing the accomplishments of popular DJs and artists in Hip Hop. Recently, The Mixtape Awards also started monthly panel discussions, which are open and free for the public, on music-related topics. The first such panel was held at New York University, and the second was at IAR on November 14th, the subject of which was “Can the Music Industry Survive without the DJ?” IAR and the Mixtape Awards are partnering to have regular panel discussions at IAR, with the next one scheduled for January 2008.

The panelists for the November 14th event were Dru Ha from Cornerstone Promotions and Duck Down Records, Nigil Mack from Motown Universal Records and Sugar Water Recordings, and DJ Jaunito and DJ Chela. The moderator posed a number of relevant questions, provoking dialogue and debate among the featured guests and the audience. Those attending had the opportunity to hear opinions and learn from successful businessmen as well as active professional DJs on issues such as the Internet’s effect on the DJ, the relationships between the DJ and both the label and the consumer, and the historical progression of the DJ. The night was highly informative for aspiring artists and DJs as well as music lovers in the audience. A surprise guest arrived during the event, legendary DJ S&S, who transfixed the audience and panel with a wealth of information from his experiences as well as advice for emerging DJs. He commented on the influence and power the DJ holds in terms of music and its distribution in the community and in the radio and club environments, “Sell it on the streets and in the clubs, and radio will follow; then you can say, ‘I broke that.’” IAR was pleased to host the first of several Mixtape Awards discussion panels to be held at the school for students and the public.