DJ Benzi, you know the name! He’s the man behind the classic “We Got The Remix” mixtape series (including editions with Lil Wayne and The Clipse), a skilled dj killing dancefloors all over the world, and a true tastemaker known for linking club culture and hiphop together. Be on the lookout for new tapes including Benzi & Diplo present Paper Route Recordz, and projects with Joe Budden and stylish up-and-coming star Donnis.

Benzi got down with the Fairtilizer for an exclusive playlist. Enjoy!

Bonus: Benzi comments on the tracks he picked and answers a few questions. Right below.

BENZI TELLS YOU WHY HE PICKED THESE SONGS

Benzi X Joe Budden “Classic (The Kickdrums Remix)”
Huge remix off the upcoming Benzi X Joe Budden “Mood Musik 3 : We Got The Remix” mixtape!

Benzi featuring Donnis “Get Right (The Anthem)”
Buzz single off my upcoming album “Get Right” on Amalgam Digital.

Paper Route Gangstaz & Blaqstarr “Stuntastic” (Prod. Diplo)
This is the lead single off the PRGZ project that me and Diplo been cooking up. Diplo flipped a dope Underworld sample and both the PRGZ and Blaqstarr killed it! This could be a big crossover single this Fall.

88 Keys “Wasting My Minutes” (feat, Kid Cudi)
This is my joint! Off that new 88 Keys mixtape, and features Cudi doing the damn thing over a dope soul sample.

Donnis “Party Works”
This is the big one from Donnis that’s really helped introduce him to alot of new markets. We toured Europe this spring and everyone already knew this joint!

Kardinal Offishall “Digital Motown” (feat. J Davey)
The whole Kardi album is real solid, but this joint really has stuck with me, Jack Davey kills the hook and it’s really catchy. Look for this on my upcoming Motviation 2 mixtape with Mick Boogie!

The Gray Kid “I Feel Fly”
The Gray Kid is a singer/rapper from LA who I had the pleasure of mixing the album sampler earlier this year. His whole album is real dope and this is my jam.

Surkin “Chrome Knight” (feat. Chromeo)
Some people were hating on this when it dropped but I instantly was into it, Dave comes up such catchy melodies you can’t not like it.

Ace Hood “Ride” (feat. Trey Songz)
This is my guilty pleasure of the moment. I think if Trey Songz would have flipped this joint on his own he would have a huge hit on his hands..

The Count & Sinden “Hardcore Girls” (feat. Rye Rye)
Sinden & Herve are back with the follow-up to Beeper, and they don’t dissapoint. Mad Decent fam Rye Rye kills it as usual and this has been in all my recent sets.

MINI-INTERVIEW WITH DJ BENZI

What are you up to these days?

I’m just on my grind as usual. I’m prepping for a bunch of Westcoast dates this month and getting ready to unleash this “We Got The Remix” mixtape with my labelmate Joe Budden. In addition, I’m still constantly working on my own album on Amalgam Digital, and actually in the process of mastering the first single this week!

You’re known as a tastemaker, who do you see as the next big artists?
In the future you’re gonna see a lot of my dude Donnis. He’s versatile and has enough of a commercial appeal to crossover with one or two singles, plus I’m his tour DJ! Besides him the obvious choice is Cudi who is also bridging the club culture and mainstream hiphop without being corny.

How important is the internet for your hustle?
The internets have changed the way we all hustle. I would say 95 percent of my hustle occurs on the internet. Nowadays so many new tools pop up, like Fairtilizer, that help me reach new audiences and are crucial to my success. It’s important to stay tapped into shit and build relationships with all the big players in the internet game.

Where do you see it going?
I give it 5 years tops and then it will be played out.

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CHECK OUT FOR THESE BENZI PROECTS!