Life & Work with Brandon Dix of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Dix.

Hi Brandon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out as a substitute teacher in Columbus, Ohio, and over the years I’ve grown into a classroom teacher, social studies content lead, mentor, and community leader. Education gave me a foundation for leadership and connecting with people, but music was always a part of my story, too.

As a DJ, I built my brand from the ground up — working with independent artists, hosting mixtapes, and eventually founding Heartland Hip Hop, powered by GetMoneyDJs. That platform has let me bridge my two passions: education and music. I’ve been able to use DJing not just for entertainment but as a way to connect with students, communities, and underserved areas across Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.

Today, I tour, create clean mixes that everybody can enjoy, and mentor young people who are looking for opportunities in creative industries. The road hasn’t been easy — I’ve had to hustle, market myself, and take risks — but every step has been about creating opportunities where they didn’t exist, both for myself and for the people I work with.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In this industry, you run into a lot of politics, ego, and people who don’t always have your best interests at heart. Early on, I interned for a well-known manager who didn’t want to pay me once I realized that a lot of what they were selling was smoke and mirrors. I’ve had DJ crews hate on me, not because of music, but over personal stuff like women. I’ve also had some of the big DJ crews let me in just enough to help them but then switch up and act fake once I started growing on my own.

Even on the radio side, I had stations where new management came in — sometimes even Mason brothers from other lodges — and instead of building, they started spreading lies to push me out. I’ve had promoters I opened my home to steal from me, shows that were always late on payment, and DJs I worked alongside who were doing payola, which damaged my industry relationships.

But all of that taught me something: how to stand on my own. It made me sharper about who I partner with, how I handle my business, and how I protect my brand. The road wasn’t smooth, but every challenge gave me the resilience and wisdom I needed to keep building.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a DJ and entrepreneur, but more than that, I see myself as a builder of culture. I’m known for branding, consistency, and for being one of the most genuine people in the industry. A lot of people in this business lean on hype, but I’ve built my reputation on being real, keeping a positive attitude, and always standing on principles.

What sets me apart is that I genuinely believe in people. I love my brothers, I invest in my community, and I believe the universe has a plan for all of us. If you put in the work and believe, you can achieve. That energy flows through everything I do—whether it’s dropping mixes, mentoring youth, building platforms like Heartland Hip Hop, or creating opportunities for other DJs and artists to shine.

What I’m most proud of is the consistency—staying true to my vision no matter what, and being able to inspire others along the way. At the end of the day, the music is the soundtrack, but the mission is bigger: showing that authenticity and love for the culture still wins.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
It was once said by John A. Shedd “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” I believe risk-taking is at the heart of growth. In this industry, nothing is guaranteed—you have to be willing to step into the unknown and bet on yourself. Every time I invested in building a brand, hosted a mixtape series, or stepped out to create opportunities in cities where I didn’t have a safety net, it was a risk.

One of the biggest risks I took was creating my own lane when some of the major DJ crews didn’t want to let me in. Instead of waiting for a co-sign, I doubled down on my vision, invested in my own platforms, and built Heartland Hip Hop into something that could stand on its own. That was risky because I didn’t have the same infrastructure or resources as the established names—but I believed consistency and authenticity would cut through.

I’ve also taken risks financially—like putting my own money into tours, promotion, and equipment without knowing if I’d see a return. Those risks taught me that belief and hard work pay off, even if not immediately.

To me, risk is about alignment. If it lines up with your passion and purpose, it’s worth taking. Playing it safe might keep you comfortable, but it won’t take you where you dream of going.

Pricing:

• Club / Event DJ Sets: Starting at $250–$400 per set (includes curated setlist, crowd engagement, and promotion on my platforms)
• Private Events (Weddings, Corporate, Parties): $500+, depending on hours and setup needs
• Mixtape Hosting & Promotion: Packages starting at $150 (includes hosting, branding, and promo placement through Heartland Hip Hop + GetMoneyDJs network)
• School & Community Events: Special reduced rates available (starting at $200) to keep opportunities accessible
• Tour Support & Artist Promo Packages: Starting at $750+ (multi-city promotion, radio/mixtape placements, and content creation)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/heartlandhiphop
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/djbigcheaux
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/heartlandhiphop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@djbigcheaux
• Other: https://podomatic.com/heartlandpodcast