217hiphop.com Exclusive Interview with DJ Trent Gates

Chicago based DJ Trent Gates teamed up with the Midwest Blog Tour to give the winner of the Springfield edition a mixtape hosting package. 217hiphop.com had the chance to chop it up with the "mixtape genius" about some his past and future work. Check out the interview below. 

Whats going on? Introduce yourself to the people.

I'm Dj Trent Gates one of the hardest working djs/radio personalities in Chicago.

So is Trent Gates your real name or a moniker?

No. Trent Gates isn't my real name, it is part of my government name. My real first name is Trenton. I didn't do like typical rappers or dj's and pick a random ghetto name or an old nickname.  Trent Gates describes me..Trent because thats half of my real name and Gates, because of Bill Gates...he is a philanthrophist just like me…I feel like its better to give than to receive, and because Trent Gates is 2 syllables and easy to remember.

How long have you been Djing?

I have been doing radio for 5 years..I actually have a bachelor's degree in radio. I have been djing for a year and a half.

What got you into Djing?

I was in the studio with my friends one day, and he was recording music for his upcoming mixtape and I just said out loud fuck it…I'ma' start doing mixtapes. That was january of 2013. My career has been taking flight since then.  I started out hosting mixtapes for free to get my name out there and a year later i get $100-$400 a mixtape. I'm part of 4 dj teams...in other words…I started from the bottom now im here.

In your position you host both mixtapes and radio shows, which do you prefer and why?

I prefer to host radio becuase that is my passion and what I went to college for. With djing i just randomly decided to do it one day and I taught myself the equipment.  Once I started djing I already had a fan base and it is growing everyday.

Who are some of the artists you have worked with in the past?

Artists I have worked with: in CALIFORNIA- WEST SIDE MAJOR

IN CHICAGO- YDOTGDOT, ARIES,CHRIZ J, TRAWW, COLVY COLV, DAMO CASH, MALIK GOTTI in SPRINGFIELD- DOE DOE, DOOGIE

Who are some artists you are looking forward to working with in the future?

I WANT TO WORK WITH THE MIGOS THEY ARE THE HOTTEST GROUP IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW AND EVERY SONG THEY DROP IS A HIT.  ALSO I WANT TO WORK WITH SASHA GO HARD...THE BEST FEMALE RAPPER IN CHICAGO 

What advice would you give to someone who is just getting into the DJ game?

WORK HARD, NOTHING COMES EASY AND YOU CANT TRUST EVERYBODY.

Who were some of your influences as far as DJs go?

DJ PHARRIS, DJ VICTORIOUZ, DJ KHALLED, DJ DRAMA

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

IN 5 YEARS I SEE MY SELF IN MIAMI OR ATL DOING RADIO AND STILL HOSTING MIXTAPES, DOING ALBUMS JUST LIKE DJ KHALLED AND HAVING THE HOTTEST ARTISTS IN THE GAME ON MY SONGS. EVEN GOING ON TOUR.

Any last words, anything you want to leave with the fans?

THANKS FOR ROCKING WITH AND SUPPORTING ME.THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, STAY TUNED AND FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @IamTrentGates  If you need mixtape hosting email me tsucces@gmail.com.