Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ GUATE.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born in Savannah, Ga to Guatemalan parents who moved here illegally to provide a better life and education for myself & my older sister. Moved to Atlanta when I was three years old, attended Redan High School, graduated top 10% of my class(2006), received a full softball scholarship to Southern University & A&M College, graduated with a bachelors of education in Therapeutic Recreation & Leisure, worked at a mental health hospital for 4 1/2 years before leaving my state job to pursue DJing full time, started DJing in 2012 and also became President Obama’s Official Atlanta Campaign Party DJ, And played for the opening of his campaign party office off of Auburn Ave. Started shadowing & closing for other DJs before teaming up with a crew to start our own night at Phase One nightclub in Stone Mountain. This was my first nightclub experience, from there, I began an annual “BIG ASS HOUSE PARTY” in celebration of my birthday & in remembrance of a motorcyclist & friend of mine who passed away days before my birthday in 2015.
Since my start in 2012, I have played in several of Atlanta’s premier nightclub venus, and have been one of the featured DJs for Black Gay Pride in several cities including my home here in Atlanta, Nashville, TN, Savannah, Ga, Richmond, Va, Columbia, SC, & Orlando, FL. My first international gig took place at Margaritaville in Montego Bay for the International Jazz Festival in 2014. I have worked with several independent artists and will be embarking on my first tour with artist/producer “Aina Brei’yon” of LA, who I also had the privilege of gracing the “One Musicfest” stage within the summer of 2018. I’m inspired by strong, successful, LGBT artists/innovators such as Lena Waithe, Ellen Degeneres, Tracy Chapman, Lee Daniels, Frank Ocean, and Janelle Monae. My goal is to be able to provide for myself & my family doing what I love, which is to motivate & move people through music. I am the CEO of “Wreckage Records” and aspire to feature and provide opportunities for dope female artists in a male-dominated industry, where we have great potential to DOMINATE!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth having comes easy. I’m a firm believer in this. There have been MANY obstacles and challenges while chasing my DJ dreams. These challenges have ranged from equipment malfunction, bad business deals, exhaustion, and has also challenged personal and business relationships from demanding, long hours & my lack of focus at times on anything other than my music. Every obstacle & challenge that I have faced has taught me SOMETHING and has cost me NOTHING that I desire to have back, so I embrace them as they come and handle them accordingly.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Like Hov said, I’m a business MAN! I create and provide the music soundtrack for ANY event thrown at me, this includes, but is not limited to, any genre nightclub (pop, EDM, hip hop, reggae, house, afro beats, Latin… you name it, I can develop a CRAZY set for it. I also create mixes for artists and performers for their live show sets. Music review, event/mixtape hosting, and artist development are additional services that I provide through my “WRECKAGE RECORDS” label. I will soon be adding sound production/engineering to my list of services.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First, I wanna give credit to the creator for blessing me with these gifts, keeping me level headed through trying times and walking with me on this journey, giving me confirmation along the way to let me know I’m on the right path.
Second, My parents… I lost my biological father when I was years old. I was blessed with the most amazing, hard working, hard playing stepfather, who taught me that you only get 1 life. Work your ass off to provide the things that you need, and afford the things that you want. He also had a niche for throwing DOPE house parties😎. My mother was born and raised in a third world country, moved here illegally, and instilled so much knowledge and so many values in myself and my siblings it’s crazy! My mother taught me that being average is beneath me because I have always had above-average potential, she taught me the importance of education, financial responsibility, integrity, honesty, faith, and leadership… all skills that have proven to play MAJOR roles in my success.
Every DJ that has ever given me a word of advice, allowed me to shadow them, open or close for them, or provided me with ANY opportunity… I THANK YOU.
Every Indie artist that I’ve had the pleasure to bless a stage with and spread dope vibes… I THANK YOU
#TeamAina… for giving me the greatest opportunities of my career thus far, for trusting and believing in me without a doubt
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.com/djguate
- Email: blazedjguate@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/djguate
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/arubanicholas
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/djguate
Image Credit:
KaydenMade, Marquis The Garden
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