Q&A: Get Up Close and Personal with RALPHI ROSARIO

Originally published Sept. 5, 2010

Very excited to get up close and personal with Ralphi Rosario – one half of the infamous Rosabel (pictured above), he is – without a doubt- clubfloor royalty.

Big thanks to Mikey for taking the time to chat up Ralphi. Make sure to check out his latest work at Masterbeat.

Now, Ralphi talks how he likes to geek out when going solo, what it’s like working with DJ Abel and the challenges of working in a team, how working Gwen‘s track wasn’t all that ‘Cool’ and his new indie label Cha Cha Boom! Recordings – lets get to it…

M: How did you get started on the road to spinning records?

RR: Its been since 1979; Doing various radio mix shows, private events & various Chicago clubs. I started all this while I was an 8th grader into high school!

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M: You’re credited with essentially creating the phrase ‘House Music’ along with the crew of the Chi-Town radio show Hot Mix Five. How does it feel to have put such a definitive stamp on the world of dance music?

RR: So much has happened since then; I’m honored to have such a stamp on my life. But for me, it’s all about moving forward.  House is still a great listening pleasure, but music has evolved & so have I. I’ve tons of respect for my fellow house DJs & always will.

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M: Many of your mixes have become legendary on the dance floor, like Pussycat Dolls ‘Don’t Cha’ & Bob Sinclair‘s ‘World Hold On.’ How do you choose songs that become such dance floor anthems?

RR: I really don’t ‘choose’ these songs; I’m usually presented with them & if I hear something there & I’m into it, I can usually call out the potential it has. In its original form of course.

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M: Not only do you do mixes solo, but you also mix under the Rosabel mantle, along with DJ Abel. How does the experience working alone feel as opposed to working as a team?

RR: Teamwork is very hard. Rosabel for me is a totally different monster. I’m influenced by various types of music. When I work solo (most of the time), I can get my ideas across soo much faster! LOL. Since I program, play & geek out at heart, it’s very easy. When its a Rosabel thing, it usually takes longer to get a point across.

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M: Your mixes always turn out amazing – a personal favorite: your breathtaking remix of Gwen Stefani’s ‘Cool.’ What was it like for you when creating that mix?

RR: Like DJ’ing; if it feels good, I go for it! Actually, I was sooo against doing that ‘Cool’ song. In this case, the artist didn’t see the wider spectrum of stuff.  It was a sweet song, and making it tough was a horrible experience.

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M: You’ve mixed tracks for some of the biggest divas out there (Celine, Gwen, Madonna), yet also have given some fierce mixes to the ‘up & coming’ names in dance, like Deborah Cooper & Shauna Soloman. What are the differences between working with more experienced artists, as opposed to the newcomers?

RR: On both plateaus, I love delivering a note-worthy mix. If it’s a strong song, it all comes together.  When you’re dealing with a major artist, your dealing with everyone else too: The label, the management, etc… When you’re doing an indy thing, the communication is better and things move faster.

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M: You’re coming to spin for the boys of Asbury Park @ Paradise this summer. Is this going to be your first time spinning in Asbury?

RR: Yes it is, and I’m very, very excited! Shep Pettibone and I go way back!  I’ve always had this enormous respect for someone who’s not only influenced myself but a WHOLE time table of music lovers. It’s an honor to be playing @ Paradise.

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M: Any artists out there that you’d like to work with that you haven’t gotten to work with as of yet?

RR: Right now; No one. I’m very content with all the great artists that have passed through my studio monitors!! But if there WAS ONE person?? Hmmmm…I’d actually love to write with Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys.

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M: What’s next for Ralphi Rosario?

RR: Right now, my Indy/Online label is launched & solely on Masterbeat; It’s called Cha Cha Boom! Recordings. It’s my outlet for my craziness; raw, unscripted & big naughty tracks.

I’ve always loved putting out my own music, and and this is just another way of expressing myself.  Cha cha Boom! recordings will be on other various sites soon.