Here’s looking at you Kid

Where does the name Whoo Kid come from?
The name Whoo Kid came from two incidents.

One is that when I was releasing the mixtapes I was young and people would be in a room and say “damn Whoo’s that Kid!” Hence Whoo kid. Although its origin can be traced to my father. When I was younger and I would leave the toilet the smell sometimes would make my father exclaim WHOO KID!
How old were you when you decided music was going to be your career path? How did you get started?
Well I came from the humblest of beginnings, a Haitian kid growing up in Queens, New York. But I had something that would help put my name on the lips of everyone in urban music: My ear and my ambition. I’m lucky I can spot talent and it’s that ear that pushed me first into the mixtape world, and eventually into the national spotlight, as the artists I featured on my mixtapes — 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Chamillionaire, Lloyd Banks, The Game and more — went on to get major label deals and/or go platinum, some many times over. Sometimes people say that I can be said to be largely responsible for an appreciable amount of current rap king 50 Cent’s level of success by spotlighting him on mixtapes when most DJs wouldn’t give him the time of day. Something 50 rewarded me for by making me an official member of the G Unit team.
Who have been your biggest influences?
My biggest influences? Well Russel Simmons and DJ Jazzy Jeff would be my first two. Then Eminem for the passion and drive he shows; 50 Cent for the way he has taken over the rap game and branched out into everything; and the whole G Unit crew: Banks Buck and Yayo, every one of them has different skills, which others don’t have and being around that every day has influenced me greatly.
Who have you most enjoyed working with?
Most defintley the G Unit crew — the crazy things we have done! And DJ Jazzy Jeff, it’s always a ball with him. Maybe him and I will do a party here in Bahrain for the next Formula 1! Who knows?
Tell us about your work with G-Unit?
I’m the official G Unit DJ for all the tours, after parties, MTV shows...any damn show! I’m always gonna be there. As the official Mixtape King and G Unit official DJ I get exclusive songs from the G Unit members from 50, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo or Buck any of them or even from Eminem. Also because my mixtapes sell out so fast and get so much coverage for the G Unit crew, which helps their album sales later.
Is this your first time to the Middle East?
No I have been to the Middle East a few times now. I love it out here so unlike what people think it is. I’ve been to Beirut before all the craziness there; I have been to Dubai and Bahrain for the Formula 1 where I was DJ at the private after party.
How does your radio work differ from your other DJing? Which do you prefer?
Radio is a skill — you’re talking and communicating to people — putting beats that make them wanna move; making their day better, all without seeing them so you can’t judge their moods or if they like what you are putting on. Unlike when you’re a DJ you see the crowd and you know when the vibe is right with the crowd and when it’s not and you adjust accordingly. But both need different skills and have different requirements. As a DJ I have to continually find artists and beats to put on the streets which are original and help people start in the business and that requires different skills from doing a radio show. I’m just lucky that I can do both.
Tell us about HOT97 Pow!
Well HOT97 is the top radio station in New York. I already have taken over Saturdays at Sirius’ Shade 45 Channel with no less than 10 hours of the most star-studded and hysterically unpredictable radio in years and brought more of the same to Monday nights with my new slot on NYC’s Hot 97. And its called POW because its my show and my signature name — POWW!
You’ve released a clothing line in Japan. Can you tell us about it?
Japans a huge market with millions of fans waiting to see our next move and wanting to dress in the rapper style so it made sense to give the fans what they want and it makes bizzzness cents [sic]! They also got some crazy fashion sense out there so might as well add our unique NY style to it!
What is your ultimate ambition?
My ambition is to retire in two years at the top of my game and with six  or 10 different businesses — music, media, clothing, bling and put my feet up and chill all day.
Who would you never work with?
I would never say never to anyone at the end of day it’s all about what’s right, what sounds rights and what makes business sense I don’t hold grudges or have beef with anyone — just let it slide and get the music out there for the fans.