DJ Whoo Kid recently sat down with the BagFuel podcast for a wide-ranging conversation detailing some of the most memorable and complex moments from his decades-long career in hip-hop.
Reflecting on his roots, Whoo Kid described his early days growing up in Springfield and Hollis, Queens, where he began hustling his way into the music industry. He admitted to using fabricated tour stories and fake flyers, claiming to be DJing in Japan and China, as a way to gain access to free records from labels. Early mentorship from Russell Simmons and Chris Lighty helped legitimize his trajectory in an era where mixtape DJs were carving out uncharted paths.
Throughout the interview, Whoo Kid provided insight into the competitive mixtape scene of the late ’90s and early 2000s. He spoke about his rivalry with DJ Clue, noting that he often had to wait for Clue to release material before putting out his own tapes. He also described the high-stakes atmosphere in which DJs operated, often navigating conflicts and unintentional fallout from the artists featured on their tapes.
Whoo Kid shared stories about interactions with legendary artists including Tupac, Biggie, Nas, and others. One particularly notable moment involved a physical confrontation with Puff Daddy during an SNL rehearsal, where Puff placed him in a headlock over leaked Biggie vocals. Whoo Kid explained the material came indirectly from Trackmasters, and the situation later escalated behind the scenes.
He also recounted an incident at a Los Angeles club where Suge Knight confronted him over a Tupac acapella used in a mixtape, and recalled a separate moment of tension during the filming of 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” video when Suge Knight arrived unannounced.
In one of the more serious revelations, Whoo Kid described being kidnapped by Big Pun and his crew under the mistaken belief that Whoo Kid was behind anonymous disses aimed at other artists. The crew originally intended to confront DJ Clue but targeted Whoo Kid instead. He was forced into a van, threatened, and asked to diss Jay-Z on future tapes. Whoo Kid said the situation was eventually deescalated but underscored the dangerous environment DJs operated in during the era.
Whoo Kid credited his longtime partnership with 50 Cent as a major turning point in his career. He discussed the impact of being part of G-Unit’s rise and how they used mixtapes to build anticipation for official releases. He revealed he once leaked a previously unheard Notorious B.I.G. verse by mixing it with 50 Cent vocals and releasing it via Hot 97, a move that led to backlash, including from Puff Daddy, who had never heard the original acapella.
Other Notable Moments
- He recalled a situation involving Drake, where a drop he recorded ended up on a diss track without his knowledge, complicating his relationships in the industry due to his loyalty to 50 Cent.
- He described accidentally hosting a Max B mixtape containing diss records toward mutual associates, leading to strained friendships.
- He shared a lighter story about an Eminem impersonator named Partial Mathis, whom he used for afterparties during overseas tours. The impersonator has since passed away.
- In another anecdote, Whoo Kid recounted being confronted by Cassie and Puff Daddy’s security after a misunderstanding at JR Rotem’s birthday party involving leaked photos.
Beyond mixtapes, Whoo Kid discussed his work brokering partnerships between artists and brands, earning trust from corporate clients by delivering measurable results. He also touched on his respect for the UK rap scene, as well as his experiences touring and collaborating with artists in the Southern U.S. and abroad.
