By Joanie Cox
DJ Laz, a.k.a. Lazaro Mendez, has been the longtime face of Miami bass and Power 96 and helped hip-hop acts such as Flo Rida, Ying Yang Twins and his nephew Pitbull shine beyond South Florida’s spotlight. Laz’s latest gig is representing Hennessy as part of the cognac’s DJ Collective program. Laz was partying in the VIP area of Bongo’s Cuban Cafe at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.,Dec. 7. While party-goers sipped Hennessy mixed with cranberry and other exotic concoctions including tamarind purée and cinnamon sticks, Laz took a moment to fill City Link in on his holiday plans, the album he’s working on and the mixes he’s been making lately behind the bar.
What’s your favorite way to drink Hennessy?
“I got to stay at the Hennessy mansion when I went to Cognac, France and it was beautiful. I learned to drink Hennessy a certain way. I like Hennessy, ginger ale and a mint leaf. That is all me, right there. It’s delicious. I call that the ‘Laz special.’”
Do you have any New year’s resolutions?
“Quite a few. I’m coming out with a new album next year. I’m in the middle of working out another deal with Hennessy for another year. It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been running into a lot of great things and times and places together. So I’m focusing on the album and looking for syndicated radio in the next couple of years. Obviously I want to stay in Miami and be based out of Miami but I want to be broadcast in multiple cities.”
Who are you working with on your new album?
“For sure my nephew Pitbull. I’ve already spoken to Flo Rida and T-Pain–definitely the usual suspects. I actually want to come out with two projects next year. One of them will be called Miami’s Finest, where it’s basically all new Miami undiscovered acts but we’re going to put them in the studio with the right people and just create bangers.”
Are you spending Christmas with your nephew?
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we’re leaving to the Dominican Republic on the 19th. We’re going to relax, wind down and shut it off for a little bit.”
What is the hottest music in Miami right now?
“The dance music down here is huge. Dance music went away for a little while and all of a sudden, it’s back with a vengeance. It’s all over the world. The dance scene is big. The hip-hop scene was always big but what’s killing them right now in the clubs is the uptempo music that people can dance to and sing a long to and basically for the ladies to let their hair down to. When the music’s going, everything’s good.”
Do you still get requests for your 1996 single “Esa Morena” when you’re DJ’ing?
“Til this day, 2011, I get kids liking that song that weren’t even born when that record was out and they’re jamming and singing the words and I’m like ‘OK, how did this happen?’ It’s one of those records that will never die.”
You always wear the sickest bling. Where do you shop?
“I’m not one of those chi chi people. I’ve gone to the mall. Any place that catches my eye I’ll stop at. I don’t have a favorite designer. I have a house in Plantation so sometimes I’ll be at Sawgrass. When they ask me ‘Who are you wearing?’ I just say ‘Wherever I stopped to pick it up.’ But I am really into bling though. I have a jeweler I always go to and everything he does is amazing.”
Where do you go in Miami to chill out?
“Well my mom makes the best cafe Cubano so I love having that but I’m always in the clubs and doing music so when I want to get away for a little bit, I jump on my boat and get away to the Bahamas. It’s a 42-foot Hydra-Sports boat with four motors and we get to wherever we’re going really fast. Sometimes I bring my iPod and play some of the new mixes I made but when I’m out there, the only thing I really want to hear is the ocean crashing while holding a Hennessy drink in my hand.”
