DJ Purfiya presents: Southwest Florida's Music Conference to be held in Port Charlottle, Florida

Oct. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- When we last heard from Port Charlotte's DJ Purfiya, he was laser focused on making Southwest Florida's hip-hop scene a force to be reckoned with, selling rap mixtapes, hosting area shows and networking at out-of-state industry events.

"I still feel like we don't get the respect that we deserve," said DJ Purfiya, born Ralph Vitiello. "People drive to Tampa, Miami, Orlando for hip-hop shows. It's like, 'Hello! We're over here!' But the first step we have to do is to bring awareness."

So Purfiya created the Southwest Florida Music Conference, a daylong event featuring record-label veterans, high-powered promoters, area musicians and other industry insiders sharing tips and strategies with up-and-coming artists so they can find success in the music business.

The conference will take place 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Island Treat, 3492 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.

"It's going to be five hours of education," Purfiya said.

"There will be talent experts, record labels, managers, artists ready to help that artist sitting in their garage who don't know what to do. ... If they come, they will walk out with a map."

Along with hosting panel discussions on finding the right management and effectively promoting shows, the conference will feature an artist showcase and an after-party concert featuring Thrill Da Playa from the 69 Boyz.

Advanced tickets are $15-$20 for the conference and after-party, which will be 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For those who do not attend the conference, admission is $5-$10.

Purfiya, a 2000 Charlotte High School graduate, knows first-hand how industry events can advance your career. In order to promote his music, Florida artists and the Gulf Coast rap scene, Purfiya constantly travels to Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and points beyond, rubbing shoulders with hip-hop superstars and industry heavyweights.

"I go to these other markets to see what they are doing right," he said. "I've learned a lot about the independent music scene in those areas."

Those lessons gave Purfiya the confidence and tools to create The Alliance, a hybrid promotions company and record label.

"One of the goals of The Alliance was to put good music out there, and help the local hip-hop scene," he said. "A lot of people don't push music unless it's Jay-Z or Lil Wayne, but you have artists in Florida and in this area that can be the next Jay-Z or Lil Wayne."

The conference has been in the works for two years, adding to Purfiya's already full plate, which includes being affiliated with South Florida's Slip-N-Slide DJs, as well as hosting hip-hop shows at Palmetto's The Hall every Wednesday and Friday and at Boomer's in Port Charlotte every Thursday.

With so much of his life involved in hip-hop culture, Purfiya thought it was fitting to have the conference and party honor some of Florida's hip-hop founders
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The after-party, called "Hip-Hop Honors: Celebrating Florida Hip-hop," will feature -- in addition to The 69 Boyz's Thrill Da Playa -- Splack Pack, Ghost Town DJs and more.

"We wanted to go back and honor some of the people who have contributed to Florida hip-hop," Purfiya said.

For more information, call (941) 623-5456 or visit myspace.com/djpurfiya or myspace.com/thealliancepromotions.