DJ Laz 
Interview by Sarah Etienne 

Lazaro Mendez, better known as DJ Laz of Miami's Power 96 radio station, is one of the most impressive and hardworking people on the radio. He has opened doors for Latin music with his successful Hip-Hop and Merengue album "Mami El Negro," worked with some of the most talented people in the music industry and still finds time to help talented musicians achieve their goals of becoming recording artists. I was able to catch up with DJ Laz at the radio station and talked to him about his accomplishments and his contribution to urban music.

Mendez was born at Hollywood Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida to Cuban parents and is the youngest of four siblings. Mendez's brother was a popular Turntable DJ in town and allowed Lazaro to accompany him to his jobs from time to time. The young Mendez became fascinated by his brother's job and quickly developed a passion for music as well as turntable mixing.

Due to health complications to his leg from birth, Mendez underwent several surgeries that prevented him from playing outside with other children and he had to be home schooled. To escape the boredom of being kept in the house, Mendez asked his father to get him a set of turntables. "While the kids were outside playing around, I was in the room cutting and mixing," Mendez. With much time to practice his mixing skills, Mendez began impressing crowds at local parties and clubs with his music.

Later, Mendez became the assistant to music producer and radio personality, Bob Rosenberg, of South Florida's Hot 105. One day Rosenberg informed him of an immediate opening for a DJ position at the radio station. However, the candidate would have to audition for the job that night at Miami's Strawberries Nightclub. Mendez performed during a live radio broadcast for hundreds of club goers and the listening public. The pressure was on for the young DJ but he managed to "rock the club." The next day, Hot 105's program director offered him the DJ position. So, In 1986 14-year-old Lazaro Mendez became a professional DJ for Hot 105 known as DJ Laz and remained with the company for 2 ½ years.

After a formatting change at Hot 105, DJ Laz had to find another station that would embrace his upbeat style of music. In 1989, DJ Laz took a job at a relatively new station in Miami, Power96, and has been there ever since! now to hear a live broadcast.

While working at Power96, Laz had an idea to create a new genre of music. He wanted to produce and album that merged the Caribbean sounds of Merengue with the bass beats of Hip-Hop. Laz took his album idea to several record labels but no one wanted to take a chance on the DJ's innovative style of music. Finally, a local recording label, Pan Disc, felt that Laz's music could be a hit. 'It might just be the novelty that people are like, Wow,' Mendez. In 1990, DJ Laz released his first single "Mami El Negro" and it became an instant success. The song received mass airplay in Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and even Texas. Laz went on to producing four other albums that also obtained nation wide recognition. DJ Laz's music paved the way to allow Rappers like Fat Joe, and Angie Martinez to excel in the music industry with their Latin influenced music.

Laz is involved with much more than just turntable mixing and recording music. He was the owner of Zipper's nightclub for four years, he is the founder of Limp-A-Lot Records, and he is the promoter for Miami rapper, Pit bull, and a Rhythm and Blues group. When Mendez is not out conquering the world, he takes pleasure in relaxing at home with the family, sailing along the shore in his boat or just going fishing.

Some people think that being a DJ means hanging out at exclusive clubs in town, and partying with stars... Well, the entertainment industry does have its perks but its not all fun and games. "You have to give up certain things to achieve your goal," Laz. With so many people desiring the same goal, only the most determined will succeed. A DJ today must be able to read a crowd and tell the type of music they like and play it for them. "They want to hear their favorite song, then their next favorite...and if you can put them together in a way that is appealing to people, you are a good DJ," DJ Laz.

Lazaro Mendez is truly an inspirational person and we are grateful to have him in South Florida. You can listen to DJ Laz from 2-6 PM on 96.5 in South Florida or live via internet from the Power 96 website, http://www.power96.com.