Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Magic.
Hi DJ, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music has been the most integral part of my life and identity for as long as I can remember. At the point where I got into DJing, I tried anything you could think of music-wise: I learned classical music, I had a rock band, I made beats, I was in musicals, I wrote songs, I was in marching band, I played jazz, etc. but DJing stuck. I’m forever indebted to creating music but creating moments through music by DJing is the most gratifying way to express my passion.
I started DJing in 2016 when I was a senior in high school in Smyrna, GA but I really got the opportunity to improve when I moved to Washington, D.C. to major in Music at Howard University. I always emphasize going to a Historically Black College or University when talking about my DJ career for one reason:
Everyone who went to an HBCU knows that HBCU DJs are known, sometimes notoriously, for being very good.
I will always be grateful for my experience at Howard because only that kind of competitive culture could cultivate me as a DJ. I was able to try out every single avenue of DJing and pick which one was my favorite which is an opportunity not a lot of DJs who are just starting out get to have. Being there was like a four-year-long workshop and career fair of what I could potentially do as a DJ and I will always be thankful for that.
Now that I’ve graduated and I’m back in Atlanta, I am extremely well equipped and well prepared. Creatively, I also have more knowledge about who I am as a DJ and which spaces I want to engage in. The most gratifying part about it for me is to be able to be a part of the nightlife culture in a city that I grew up around. I also have the liberty to choose where I want to contribute my skills and for any creative, that’s blissful.
Even after being a DJ for half of a decade, I still view this as one of the first chapters.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Just like any profession, DJs come with their own set of problems that they can run into. It can be external like nightlife politics and money but for me, it’s mostly been internal. DJing is not like being a musician where if you release the music you make, it doesn’t really matter what people think about it. As long as that music is your best.
But, DJing is the opposite. In order for me to keep a job, I have to care about what people think at all times. You have to rely on your audience to take a party or event to its peak. As a DJ, you’re constantly absorbing the energy given to you and using it as fuel to give the party momentum. But, if you use that energy as the only way to validate yourself, it can get messy. You can only rely on an audience for so long before it hurts you. If you aren’t aligned with who you are creatively, that can do some damage.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have been an open-format DJ ever since 2016. As a DJ, it is my job to share my passion for music, connect others, and provide a sonic experience.
I always believed what sets me apart as a DJ is my musical background and love for history. Most people don’t know that good DJs are walking musical historians. That knowledge specifically is absolutely what sets you apart from someone who may not be DJing for the “right” reasons. Also, a lot of things people have to learn in order to DJ are things I already understand as a musician. So being able to go into this art form with such a strong foundation of musical knowledge allows me to get super creative with my DJ sets.
I’d say I am most proud of the documentary I self-produced in 2020 that highlights HBCU DJs called, ‘In the Mix.’ It’s an authentic look at not only what it’s like being a DJ but also being a DJ in a very specific cultural subset. It’s a culture that I feel like hasn’t truly been looked at through film and I’m glad I was able to educate and entertain others while producing it.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I don’t know if it’s because I love school but I’ve always viewed DJing as an academic profession. Know your stuff! I feel like understanding the past is what helps you understand the present and future. You can easily cut yourself off from opportunities by not looking back and understanding the music of the past. Also, don’t cut yourself off from opportunities by having a narrow music knowledge. If you’re not studying, you won’t succeed. Study genres, study other DJs, study transitions, study equipment, etc. and you’ll be surprised at how much further it can take you.
Also, there are two things I really wish I knew before I started.
One, don’t overthink it! Complexity does not win a crowd. What wins a crowd is good timing and energy, everything else is supplemental.
Two, be audacious and unafraid. You have to be your biggest supporter because, at the end of the day, only you can believe in you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yagirldjmagic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/yagirldjmagic
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/LVC4k4AND_o
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/yagirldjmagic
Image Credits
The Milas Touch
Amanda Wilson
Alisa Seripap
Inverted Perceptions
