RS: Where do you see the tribal scene in New York going?
T-Pro: I'm glad I am here, or it wouldn't be going, we need some courageous DJ's to stand up and play what they like. Thank God for Frankie Knuckles coming back to New York or the scene would be really boring. There seems to be no variety unless you are in Brooklyn or a little bar in the East Village.
RS: There is often a strict segregation between hip-hop and house. How do you combine the two together over the course of a night?
Angel: It depends on where you play, but nowadays most all of the younger generation want to hear Hip-Hop. House has started to become so foreign to them that they won't dance to it anymore. I can put on a dance remix of Beyonce, J-Lo, Etc... and they will literally walk off the floor but if you put on the original hip-hop version, forget it- the floor is packed. I think this all has to do with no radio play of dance music along with no popular artists strictly doing dance tracks on their albums, or award shows not recognizing dance artists. What a shame.
RS: Are T-Party events exclusively blatino?
T-Pro: We are not exclusive, but I will say that the crowd that enjoys the music also enjoys the venues I give them to listen to the music in. If you are Black or Latin In NY (and gay), and want to be around people like yourself, there are only a hand full of clubs to go to, and most hold no more than 200 people. At Cuchifrito, we found the best big space in the city, with two floors even, and pumped some proper flava on the dance floor.
RS: Your website is insane - how do you choose the pictures that you put up?
T-Pro: It is not just me, I have support staff that gives input. But I know what the crowd likes and we promote to such a specific niche in NY that it is rather easy.
RS: How did you get hooked up with Junior Vasquez?
Angel: I've known Junior since about 1994, we met a party for a friend of ours in Los Angeles. We've been friends ever since. I told him I was coming out for gay pride in 2002 and asked if I could play at his club. Well to my surprise, he said yes. After that day, unexpectedly I decided to move to New York and I went on to open for him for every major party of 2002 for him.
RS: How has spinning with Junior affected you as a DJ?
Angel: I think anyone would agree that opening for someone you have idolized for many years is one of the greatest honors anyone could have, and to be asked back several times makes you feel that you have really proven yourself and your talents. I am forever grateful to him for believing in me and giving me that once in a lifetime opportunity.
RS: Spinning for the South Park guys must have been a trip; any interesting stories from that night?
Angel: Yes! When I found out that the boys were downstairs at a club I used to do on Saturday nights called RAGE in West Hollywood, I quickly ran downstairs and brought a white label remix of Mr. Hankey to have them sign it. I left it with them and ran back upstairs to change the song. Well when I came back, one of the guys just signed his name but the other actually drew 2 of the characters and wrote some captions. I was so happy and I still have it till this day.
RS: What was it like when Britney performed at your event?
T-Pro: Britney at Splash Bar (SBNY) was a joy, it was insane. A lot of the camera footage used was from Splash's ceiling cam, because all of MTV's camera's kept getting fogged up. She was great, so sweet. We also had Janet just a month prior. She had requested a Drag Show and within 2 hours she was at the club and we had one together. That is one of the great things about Splash- it has been the center of the Gay Dance Scene for over 10 years, and continues to offer an amazing roster of talent on every night.
