The first time I saw SlopFunkDust was at New World Brewery, I knew he was drunk.  That didn’t matter though, because he was having a great time tearing up the stage.  The second time I saw him, I don’t think he was drunk yet, but I’m sure he was trying to get there.  In any case, since then, every time I’ve been out somewhere and he’s playing a show, it’s always been fun to watch and participate.  I got a chance to do an interview with “The Beat Specialist,” and it goes something like this.

REAX: For those who don’t know of you or the style of your music, how would you describe to them what you do?

SFD: Basically, I make music for the soul.  I’m not really into the commercialized, pre-fabricated bullshit that’s spoon-fed to the masses by the media.

REAX: Why did you choose to do music?

SFD: I was born and raised around music.  My pops and my uncle used to DJ house parties when I was a kid, so it’s always been a part of my life.

REAX: From the beginning, has your music progressed like you thought it would?  Any specific event or actions that made things click for you?

SFD: It’s actually been going better that I ever imagined.  Initially, my goal was to be able to walk into a store like Vinyl Fever and pick up a record and see my name on it.  At this point, I can walk into a chain store like Sam Goody or Tower Records and find projects I’ve worked on.  I can’t really say there’s one specific event that’s helped, but ever since my best friends and I started “GWAN MASSIVE,” things have been getting pretty crazy.

REAX: You’ve traveled and done shows all over. How would you compare places to Tampa and Florida?

SFD: I can’t lie, I love Tampa!  Sometimes I talk shit, but there’s no place where you can just do what you want to do and people don’t care.  Maybe it’s because we’re all crazy down here.  But yeah, I like it here and I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.

REAX: You’ve done a lot of the art shows lately.  How is the crowd there different from a crowd at a venue or bar?

SFD: Believe it or not, they’re actually a lot more appreciative of good music.  At an art show, I’ll get a 55 year old lady that will come up and ask me what I’m playing.  At a club or bar, people always want to request something.

REAX: Where do you see your talents elevating to?

SFD: I don’t even know man.  I honestly feel like I haven’t even got started yet.  With the passing of the late, great Jay Dee a.k.a. J.Dilla, who knows what’s gonna go down? Things are about to get hot in here!

REAX: Anything else you want to say?

SFD: Thanks a lot man, I appreciate the look out on this.

If you think you might like to hear his music, you can check him out at www.slopfunkdust.com or at www.myspace.com/slopfunkdust.