Dj Seldom Scene

Be Yourself. 1of1Clothing.comA1 SINCE DAY 1! As early as age 5 he knew that music was his calling. From listening to all of his mom’s old records to making his own mixed tapes from 108.9 on a Toshiba tape deck, DJ Seldom Scene, a.k.a. Gr8de A, felt that music was his passion. While recording some of the hot artists at that time that he loved, Grand Master Flash and Loose Ends, Midnight Starr and Atlantic Star, to name a few, he became fascinated with electronics of all kinds, especially stereo equipment. He wanted to know how it worked and learn how to make the sounds that sounded so good to him. He became exposed to different genres of music and other cultural activities during the latter part of elementary through junior high. Of the most memorable was breakdancing in downtown Canton during the Friday Fests, where he won one of the first competitions, setting the standard for those who followed. Although he stopped competing, he continued to show off his skills, returning every Friday, egged on by the oohs and ahhs of the crowd and the love of the music. Breakdancing became a sort of sport to him and a few of his friends who held and hosted real-life battles, just like the movies from back in the day. “Add-Dog” (DJ Seldom Scene), Corey Wallace and Lamont Snell versus Lenzell (Beef), and the twins, Melvin and Kelvin Jones, were the main attractions at Roosevelt Elementary School in the afternoons. Add’s love for music kept him enthusiastic to learn more and made him quite popular for acquiring the latest, hottest records before everyone else. As the times changed so did the popular artists, some of his favorites being BDP, The Fat Boys, Black Sheep, UTFO, Stetsasonic, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, The Skinny Boys, LL Cool J and Heavy D, who was the featured artist on the compilation album “Uptown Kickin It.“ So naturally he began deejaying and became the most requested person on the ones and twos because he always had what was hot, first. Since then, music has played a major part in every move that he’s made. Whether he listened to it on the way to one of his basketball games on one of the first walkmans ever made or on his way to pick up the new Jordan’s, which he is still known for being the first to get, music has been with him. Add joined the school bands in elementary and continued through high school primarily playing the drums. During that time he also had the opportunity to make and record his first real song, engineered by Richie from Gattuso’s, the go-to dude at that time if you couldn’t do it on your own. Hearing the product of his gifts only influenced him more to want to make music on his own. Unfortunately, plans to go public never came to fruition, because he, and then partner Derrick Thomas, were banned from the talent show, being told that the song sounded “too professional.” This first “no” didn’t get him down but gave him insight about the determination that was going to be necessary to make it in the music business. It also let him know how tight he really was if he wasn’t even allowed to perform in a school talent show! Not taking no for an answer (and still doesn’t), Add and Derrick sat at the end of the stage during try-outs and performed their song accapella for themselves. Add remembers that he forgot the original rhyme and simply freestyled through it. He had the on-lookers rocking and nodding their heads which gave him momentum. He knew that he could take any subject and make a beat or song from it (and still does!). His popularity grew because of his talents, skills and positive attitude. No one else understood it but he knew that he could do anything when it came to music even before he actually did it! DJ Seldom Scene, known to most as Ad Wils, continued to deejay with right-hand man and best friend Derrick Anthony and third partner Greg Burns. He became the go-to dude for those who wanted to rap or needed some hot tracks. All the praise gave him a boost and inspired him even when, at times, he may have felt unsure about what he was doing. He still lived up to the hype and expectations of him. He has mentored and helped most of the local artists, one of the more prominent (and best friends for a while), Alz Henderson, host of "Ill-Matic TV," who moved to the east coast and upon returning formed a group with friends Carleton and Sal called “The Drifters“. According to Ad Wils this was once the hottest local groups with talent, with a popular song called "Belden Ave." This group enlisted his help, and although not a formal member, he was definitely their traveling support system. They influenced each other and it made him want to keep making music. One of the hottest local deejays of his time, Jonathan Swint, was another that he had the pleasure of working and trading music with. They mentored and helped each other as well. Ad Wils has worked with such local artists as "Byrdie," Cedric Campbell, Rich Nice, Teddy Rux and Steven Carter, to name a few. He has driven these and others so that no matter where they are his work and support is with them. That's the kind of impact that he has on anyone he works with. Some of the major artists from Canton that have inspired him are The O’Jays, Macy Gray, Marilyn Manson. Alongside mentoring others, DJ Seldom Scene has also been influenced greatly in his life. Not by family or the local stars, but by those who kept trying after bad breaks. Those who made it even when the chips were down. Those who used what was within themselves to keep going despite the hell that they faced everyday. Anybody that is doing something! -"You know it's passion when life hits you hard from every angle but it doesn't shake you inside."- He appreciates Tyler Perry's struggles, having experienced homelessness himself and living for a while with no heat and running water. He was down but he kept his head up-ALWAYS! He maintained the image that people saw even when he had no money. He feels that you should always maintain yourself, stay positive and keep your head together no matter what the situation looks like. So he kept himself going, pushing himself to go get what he wants and do exactly what he wants. He doesn't believe in "can't." Creative enough to keep himself interested in anything, he is not one to procrastinate and has been that way his whole life. He has an inner strength that is unheard of, which really makes him a Super Man. -"Never let anything get you down! If you are still breathing and able you can get it!"- "Superman" not only has inner strength but physical strength as well. He has been a certified fitness trainer for 7 of the last 10 years that he's been working his "9 to 5" (serious inquiries only, please). He played Minor League Baseball for the Canton Crocodiles (Canton Indians) and tried out for the Cleveland Browns where he chose not to play because of political red-tape. Superman is always into something! He is “seldom around but ALWAYS on the scene,” hence the name “DJ Seldom Scene.” Today, Mr. Wilson has several achievements that has opened doors for current projects. One of the biggest starts for him on the television circuit, where he was flown out to Texas for the taping, is his position as co-host of “StreetLife TV,” an urban outreach ministry program, with Host D. Rowland. The show is worldwide, branching out to parts of Iraq. This chance that he was given showed him that the possibilities are endless if you don’t limit yourself. He is currently writing the sequel to the movie “Pain” produced by Levi, also from Texas. Together, they are documenting one of the biggest movements from the east to the west. Mr. Wilson is literally a jack-of-all-trades and a big comedian to those who know him! He is writing sequels to movies, comedies, and videos. This highly skilled man not only has an ear for music but an eye for fashion as well. For those who know, the man is always hurtin’em when he steps out. So, he decided to turn his passion for clothes into something that he always wanted to do as a youth, have his own clothing line. In 1997 he became the CEO of A.C.W.A. (pronounced aqua) which stands for Adam Cornell Wilson Attire. He started with t-shirts and will soon have a full line of apparel featuring the “A.C.W.A. Man.” That’s the little “him” that you have seen on his “myspace” pages. Once again the go-to dude, he feels like this time is a reincarnation of his youth, almost like he was brought out of retirement. Always ahead of his time, making music is one of his favorite pastimes and rap/hip-hop is his life. Of course he knows music in every category, but rap/hip-hop is what moves him the most. Anything with a hot, up-tempo beat. He enjoys making music so much because it not only entertains others but him as well. Now let’s not get it twisted. Gr8de A wants to make a living, and anyone one who can take what they love to do and make money from it is truly lucky, but his loyalty is to the music. He knows what it’s like to be famous (ALL the good and bad that comes with it!) so he’s not driven in any way by the glitz and the glam. If he never makes it any bigger than he has he will still die doing it! That’s love ya’ll. Adam’s first love is the music and he recognizes how hard it is to get a break, especially coming out of small cities like Canton, OH. He strives to be the major blood vessel that other up and coming artists can go through. But knowing that in this business this time may not be his time he is willing to do what he has to do to help another artist make it. Reaching worldwide is the plan and he wants to bring EVERYBODY but he also wants to create a local unity and loyalty with hopes of turning it into OUR sound from the OH-10. -"There is no one sound singled out above the rest, but we (Ohio) should have a sound that stands out from the rest. We should be the heart pumping it up for everyone else!"- He will motivate and be the "fall guy" just don't forget about him! Ad Wils is well known for making it happen and feels like anyone can as long as they are trying! Because of that, he is willing to work with any artist who is ready to become an artist. Knowing the business, Mr. Wilson also knows that you cannot always become the next big hit overnight. With his travels to the east coast working with Def Squad and work on the Touch of Jazz label, he understands that you may have to start at the bottom. He knows his position and wants newcomers to understand that you may have to start behind the scenes before you get your chance to shine. Of course there are some artists that he feels have done just that, shine! Everyone probably has artists that they feel they can relate to or are “real.” To DJ Seldom Scene those few would be Red Man (who he has always felt is highly underrated), UGK, EPMD, Scarface, Ice Cube, Twista and Busta Rhymes. He believes that producer Dr. Dre will go down in history as the greatest producer of all-time and he will continue to be around because he is someone to listen to. He would love to work with Ice Cube (West Side Connection), Scarface, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Ludacris, TI and Twista. But again, he just wants to make music and he will continue to do so without any help, without the stardom, just because it’s what he wants to do! He can do anything and has no point to prove to anyone except himself. People don’t even realize how much he’s done, what he is capable of and what he will do, but he will not let their intimidation and hate change him. He is a part of so much, but he will remain humble and modest, using what’s within to keep him driven, his love for music.