What Jay-Z wants, Jay-Z usually gets, so when he came across one of DJ Neil Armstrong's expertly crafted mixtapes, he made a classic Hova power move. In one fell swoop, Neil went from a well-respected but mostly unheralded talent to the DJ for Jay's "Heart of the City" tour. Since that life-changing gig last spring, Neil has performed with Jigga before 100,000 heads at the Glastonbury Festival and in front of President Obama at the Inauguration Ball. You can't really get a bigger DJ gig than that, folks.
Neil's been in Europe, Asia and South America in recent months, but he's finally back home in NYC to take a breather and plan his next power move. That's good news for fans of his awesome mixtapes, because after a three-year hiatus, Neil has finally released his 15th CD, Sweeet Part 2. And what's the next move? "My whole thing is picking music and arrangement," says Neil. "My CDs tell a story, so I'd love to apply that skill set to [the film] industry." Original score by DJ Neil Armstrong? We're not mad at that. Neil stopped by the office last week for another round of The Complex 7. See below for a sampler of Sweeet Part 2 and Neil's take on girls, sneakers and dogs...
Sweeet Part 2 sampler
#1: WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?
Neil says: I'd like to say if they're too young... but I'll do that. [Laughs.] That's horrible. I have no deal-breakers. I have no shame. Eighteen to 80, blind, crippled and crazy.
#2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?
Neil says: The silhouette is the Air Max 95. Also, the adidas Superstar. I'll never wear them, but just because. White shelltoes.
#3: WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Neil says: When I saw Marley and Me, because that dog looks just like mine. Mine's a half-yellow lab, half-pit named Poh. I was with the women weeping in the corner.
#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK-LONG HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Neil says: Aw man. I'm like Kramer without the racism, I have a fantasy-baseball-camp life. If I had a week to do absolutely nothing, I'd probably just sit around in my house in my skivvies and play Guitar Hero.
Neil with some chick he met from Houston at the Inauguration Ball.
#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?
Neil says: Water. I just need some nice, clean water. In the Brita pitcher.
#6: WHAT'S THE WORST WAY YOU'VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?
Neil says: I've been broken up with over AIM. Damn near a two-year relationship. She's Korean, I just think she was crazy. Me, I'm one of those idiot good dudes. I mean, listen to my CDs! [Laughs.]
#7: WHAT'S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU'VE EVER WORN?
Neil says: The crap that's on the CD cover! When my boys saw that, they were like, You musta got beat up a lot at school. My parents were dressing me! It worked out funny. My covers got associated with those baby pictures and it became part of the brand.
To buy DJ Neil Armstrong's new mixtape, Sweeet Part 2, click HERE.
