Geoffrey C – Can You Make Me A Tape

Almost everyone can remember the guy who came to the party with the best music. No matter what was playing, after his tapes started, it was always a better party.

Geoffrey C is that guy.

Since graduating from High School in MD, Geoffrey has been either a DJ or a producer of edit mixes/remixes for commerical radio stations, major record labels and parties. Interestingly, he got his start, he says, because he didn’t like what he heard on the radio.

“People liked them and after a while, they would ask me if I would do some tapes for them,” says Geoffrey. “Finally, somebody asked me if I’d considered submitting these tapes to radio stations. I hadn’t.”

An AM Baltimore station, WEBB 1360, was known to play tapes submitted from the public. Though amateur, the quality had to be good. Geoffrey called the Program Director and asked what he needed to do. “He said, ‘Put together three mixes, one mix per song.’ So I did ‘Huevo Dancing’ by Fresh Face, ‘Buffalo Gals’ by Malcolm McLaren and the Supreme Team and ‘It’s in the Mix’ by Iceberg Slim. I put it on a 60 minute, TDK tape and I still have it and it still plays.”

The station liked his work and began playing Geoffrey’s songs on the radio. He remembers when he heard his work on air for the first time. “It was April 1, 1983. I remember the date because it was April Fool’s Day and when I told people my stuff was on the air, no one believed me.” Geoffrey continued working for WEBB while he went to a local Community College for a data processing degree. Calling education his “cushion,” he paid for it through his work as a DJ for parties. He moved on to UMBC to get a bachelor’s in information systems management, and didn’t need financial aid until near the end.

His double life continued after he left the Baltmore station in 1988 to work at urban station WPGC-FM 95.5. A friend, Doug Lazy, pulled him on board to do production work, even though there really wasn’t a position available. “But my crazy edits gave the station an advantage,” says Geoffrey. He also started working as a DJ on Fridays, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Geoffrey stayed at the Washington, D.C. station until 1994. After which, he landed a gig at Baltimore’s Number one radio station, WERQ-FM 92 (“92Q”) from 5 to 6 p.m., and then again from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. on Friday. 

Though he sort of “fell into” his music career initially, it is now something Geoffrey pursues with purpose. At the same time he began working for WPGC, he picked up production work for Warner Brothers Records, Columbia Records, Atlantic Records and East-West Records. Some of his most recognizable mixes, both for Atlantic Records, are “One in a Million” by late R&B singer Aaliyah and “Bass Power” by Raze featuring Doug Lazy. Geoffrey says, because record companies send new music to him for possible airplay at on his mixshows, he takes the opportunity to pitch mixes to company representatives. “I counter sell,” says Geoffrey with a grin. Most of his work is done in his townhouse basement studio through his company, Edgemix Productions, LLC.

You can now catch Geoffrey live on www.handzonradio.fm (Baltimore) every Tuesday night from
8:00PM — 10:00PM (Est) and on www.pressureradio.com (London) every Wednesday from 7:00PM —
10:00PM (Est) Written by Monette Bailey

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
Geoffrey C: As a DJ, I am rather eclectic. I’ve played Jazz, R&B, House, Hip Hop, Classic Rock, Go-Go (Washington, DC) Reggae and
more. As for my production side, I can best describe my music as uptempo R&B (Soulful House). I do plan to produce
some “Neo-Soul” soon.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
Geoffrey C: The thing that was most instrumental was all the songs and melodies I had in my head as a child. I always thought of
something to every experience I had growing up. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I actually had the means to
record my ideas in a studio.

S&S: What drives you creatively?
Geoffrey C: The fact that I can express myself freely through rhythms and melodies.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
Geoffrey C: I get direct feedback from my audience so they have some influence on what I play. I like to entertain and educate my
crowd, “edu-tain’ them so to speak. I feel the energy of a dance floor when I’m playing, if they respond well to a new
track, then I keep it in rotation.

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
Geoffrey C: I listen to mostly Jazz, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Vi Redd, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and the list
goes on. I also listen to Earth Wind and fire, which is my all-time favorite group.

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
Geoffrey C: There are so many good memories I have with my family that I can write a book on it!! However, the one that had the
MOST POSITIVE and SIGNIFICANT impact on my life, hands down, is when we moved to Maryland when I was 10. I felt
my mind and my spirit open up instantly.

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
Geoffrey C: I am an avid bicyclist and have been so for almost 10 years. I also like having backyard movie showings at my house.

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
Geoffrey C: I donate to Melwood, a non-profit organization for people with special needs.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
Geoffrey C: Hey, this is [STATE YOUR NAME] from [PLACE YOUR COUNTRY HERE], would you like to be our guest and play at our
club/party/music festival/convention? Just being honest.

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
Geoffrey C: YOOOO!!!! CAN YOU MAKE ME A TAPE? That question drives me crazy.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
Geoffrey C: I’ve been really excited to do remixes for a number of artists, but the most exciting one was doing a House remix on
Aaliyah’s song, “One In a Million” I have to thank Johnny D for that!

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
Geoffrey C: I would love to work with Louie Vega, a legend and class act!

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
Geoffrey C: I’m currently working on a number of projects and that number keeps growing. Look for some ORIGINAL tracks from me
soon!

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
Geoffrey C: I would love to make a difference in people’s lives through my music and also pass the knowledge down to our young
and up and coming producers.

Q&A By: Shannon “Skip” Syas – S&S Chicago

Follow Geoffrey Cee on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace & Discogs