We welcome here a true exemple of underground DIY structure. An enterprise launched by two people who would devote themselves to their common passion with the aim of serving as a platform to local talents. Not so many releases to date but that's not the point for its heads, Baltimore based DJ's/producers DJ Pope and DJ Oji. Get yourself thereafter a free visit with the latest…

 
If there's any motto at Poji, what is it ?
POJI records : "Keepin' House Music Alive !"
 
Its launch date and the reasons which have decided you and your partner to give birth to it ?
POJI records has been in existance since 1992. We4VE decided to launch our own label, because we got tired of waiting on others to acknowledge our talents. There were so many talented vocalist and producers in our area and no one would seem to listen to the music that we were making. So we decided to make it happen on our own. So here we are 12 years later.


Who you do this again today ?
Without a doubt.


First release ever ?
First release on our label was in 1992. A tibal track called "Original Man" Produced by yours truly.

How many releases so far ?
We are now on our 22nd release with Carolyn Victorian "Little Black Samba". #23 is Pope and Mustafa "Sign Of The Times" and #24 is Oji and Una "Soul Underground". That's not a lot of releases considering the amount of years we have been around. However, it was never our goal to just put out records for the sake of putting them out. We are committed to quality and although you can expect to see more releases more often, that committment will never change. We want to do something special for our 25th release but haven't decided.


Its biggest success to date ?
That's a good question. As I mentioned the industry has changed. The reality of this is that although we have seen many successes, none match that of the first releases on the label. There were simply more people buying records then.


Your best souvenir ?
Souvenir ? That would be my Janet Jackson poster and calendar collection…


Your baddest one ?
I don't keep bad souvenirs.


How is it to run an independant underground label today ?
I think touched on this. It's not easy. The market is not what it used to be. We have progressed musically, but there seem to be less people to appreciate house music. It's sad. House music is such a positive force and if embraced by the masses the world could be a better place (just my opinion).


Many people tend to release music in order to get bookings. Any comment ?
This is true, but it hasn't worked for me…


The arrival of new technologies (free downloads, mp3). Has this effected the way you run Poji Records ?
Again, I am fearful for the future. We can't afford to make music for free. It costs to much to make good music.


The future of vinyl ?
Well, I do believe that there will always be a need for vinyl. I am proof of that. I will always be a vinyl junkie.


What is it to be done to maintain a label alive ?
You have to be consistent with quality music. Establish a sound for your label. One in which people will know what to expect. Not that it is predictable, but that you establish a good reputation for your label.


Your forthcoming projects ?  
Mentioned earlier. See our # 22, 23 & 24 + a CD mix that Pope is currently putting final touches to…
 
More infos : pojirecords.com