DJ Stain Q&A + Debut Mix

Bryan Snow Jr.

Chicago has been the city to watch in Hip Hop for the last 5 years, and this has caused somewhat of a renaissance in the city. With that being said many artists working behind the scenes have been responsible for the major happenings around Chicago. Other artists are slowly, but surely creating their own path where art forms and genre bending collide. Either way, we here at Lyrical Lemonade love to be able to give recognition to the hard workers of the scene. DJ Stain has consistently been one of those hard workers and is an artist you need to be accustomed to. Blending both the arts of disc jockeying and street wear, Stain has created his own path to success, in a feat similar to that of Joe Freshgoods and Vic Lloyd. I caught up with DJ Stain for Q+A session discussing his path, his artistry, and his future. He also dropped off his debut mix as a Lyrical Lemonade exclusive, which features sounds from Vela Seff, 808 Mafia, and CBBeatz, that flow seamlessly from one track to the next. Check out the Q+A session and bump that new DJ Stain below, don’t forget to let us know what you think.

LL & DJ Stain Q+A

LL: So, what’s your name and where are you from?

DS: I’m Stan Rogers, aka DJ Stain from Chicago, born and bred. I’m 19 years old. That’s why i’ve been working so hard. The scene is such a young movement now and i feel that I have to stand my ground against younger artists and older artists.

LL: Is there a meaning behind the name?

DS: In high school I was on a lot of dirt with the homies. “Stan” and “Stain” were already so close, it kinda just stuck. I actually used to rap and do spoken word poetry. I was soul searching and wanted to do music really bad, and one day my producer showed me a DJ program and the rest is history. I was still making clothes around this time though.

LL: We understand that you travel a bit and you’re in college down at Mizzou. How do you feel about Chicago and its art scene?

DS: I’m digging it, but Chicago artists don’t like to work together. This new generation is much more team-sport-like, kinda how things are in Atlanta. You see a lot of love out there and they put each other on. If Chicago could make that move, we’d outright kill the game. On that same token, it’s growing, consistently. It’s not where I want it to be, but it has grown consistently since around 2012.

LL: What are some of your favorite spots to hang out in Chicago? Where can your fans find you?

DS: Uhhh.. Hyde Park for sure. Find me in the art center. I practically live there. My god brother used to be a photographer for different events held there and he put me on with an after school type program. I’ve been hooked ever since.

LL: How do you handle pressure from both the music ventures and clothing goals?

DS: Haha.. I don’t know man. It’s a lot to handle but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think the toughest part is remaining consistent on both ends. While paying homage to the pioneers like Freshgoods and Vic (Lloyd), I still want to change the game. I see myself as an innovator. Something I learned that has been vital to my career is taking concepts and relating them to consumers. It’s fun work.

LL: We know you have something cooking with Warhol SS? How did that relationship come about? What about other collaborators??

DS: That’s wild. We had mutual friends and he went to Lindblom but moved around a lot. His senior year he was in Atlanta and he text me saying he saw I was working and I saw he was working. Originally he hit me up to be his manager, but we agreed on the DJ thing. Two days before he graduated he sent me his first EP, the rest is history. Coming up I have an EP w Monster Mike. Vela Seff and I are always into something new. Brentrambo coming soon too. The collection is done, video been shot with Elevator, I’m just waiting on the team to finish minor details. I’m looking for a Chicago take off, but more so a worldwide take off. For our generation there are no tailors and there are hardly any seamstresses. I want to be that go-to-guy for our culture.

LL: Why should I, or our readers, listen to DJ Stain and support his clothing?

DS: I’m the only one doing what I’m doing. I am an innovator. I’m not hitting the fashion or music world. I’m attempting to take both to the next level. I’m a creator.