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Check Out Derrick Utsey’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Utsey.

Hi Derrick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a passion for music and technology, and over time, those two worlds have come together to shape my career. I started DJing in high school, and what began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a lifelong journey. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel, work with major brands like Pepsi and Toyota, and experience nearly every side of DJing—from radio to producing music. Recently, I’ve been drawn back to the roots of it all, focusing on crate digging, vinyl, and the art of turntablism.

At the same time, I’ve always been curious about how things work, especially when it comes to technology. Being around DJ equipment naturally sparked my interest in computers and electronics, which led me into IT. I’ve now spent 17 years building a career in that space, earning certifications and continuing to grow my skills along the way.

Content creation became a bigger part of my story in 2020 when I received a grant from Fulton County Arts & Culture to create a virtual workshop for DJs and producers. That experience opened the door to new opportunities, including a second grant in 2022 focused on turntablism, as well as collaborations with brands on product launches and reviews.

Today, everything connects. My DJ background fuels my creativity, my IT experience powers the technical side, and my content creation allows me to share it all. I’m currently expanding into a new platform called Real World Tech Lab, where I plan to focus on IT, AI, and helping others navigate careers in tech based on real-world experience.

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. Each part of my journey has come with its own challenges. With DJing, one of the biggest lessons was dealing with inconsistency. The first few months of every year tend to be slow, and early on I had to learn how to adapt. That pushed me to branch out into producing music and licensing it for TV, and eventually into content creation as another stream of income.

My path in IT has had its ups and downs as well, especially during layoffs and challenging job markets. Those experiences pushed me to stay sharp and continuously build my skills, even during uncertain times.

Overall, those challenges reshaped how I think about stability. I learned not to rely on a single source of income and not to get too comfortable in one place. Staying adaptable, continuing to learn, and being open to new opportunities has been key to navigating the journey.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the core of everything I do, I focus on creating value and sharing knowledge. Whether it’s through my YouTube channel, my work in IT, or my experience as a DJ, my goal is to help people learn and grow. My content centers around tutorials, product reviews, and real-world insights from my career so people can apply what they’re learning in a practical way.

In my IT role, that same mindset carries over. I take pride in being a reliable resource—someone people can come to for clear guidance and solutions. Technology is always evolving, and I genuinely enjoy staying on top of new tools and trends while helping others understand them.

What sets me apart is the combination of my backgrounds. I blend creativity from DJing with technical expertise from IT to create content that’s both informative and relatable. I don’t just present information. I connect it to real-world experience.

I’m especially proud of the opportunities I’ve had to work with international brands and travel the world as a DJ. Those were goals I set early on, and achieving them has been incredibly rewarding. At the same time, I’m just as proud of the impact I’ve had helping others, whether through my content or in my professional work.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve been fortunate to have strong support throughout every stage of my journey. My family has always believed in me and supported my goals, which gave me the foundation to keep pushing forward.

A major influence early on was my former manager and longtime friend, Jason McPhee. He saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself and consistently pushed me to think bigger. He encouraged me to pursue opportunities outside the country, which helped me grow as a DJ, and he also supported my work in music production, even helping me secure song placements.

My wife, Natasha, has been a constant source of support as well. She’s always believed in my vision and stood by me through every phase of my career.

I also have to credit the people who engage with my content. The viewers who watch, comment, and share feedback play a bigger role than they probably realize. I often receive messages from people I’ve never met who tell me my content helped them in some way, and that kind of impact is what motivates me to keep going.

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