Meet DJ Yung Red

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Yung Red.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started back in 2006, I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was working for The Toledo Public Library, making $6.60; I thought I was rich because due to making more than minimum wage lol. It was a random lunch break one day when I decided I wanted to take the journey of becoming a DJ. During this time, Myspace was the latest social media and everybody was using it. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, so I started messaging local DJs asking if I could shadow them. Out of all the DJs I hit up, DJ Big Lou The Mayor was the only one to respond. The first gig I shadowed him on was a Soulja Boy concert at Coyote Joe’s in Toledo, Ohio. They had two different concerts one for the kids another for adults during regular club hours. So, I met Lou at the club, watched him set up, and watched him start the show. I got to see Soulja Boy take the concert outside and get mobbed by the kid’s lol. At this point, I’m outside in disbelief at what I’m seeing. Security gets the club staff and Soulja Boy back in the club, and somehow I ended up in a room with Soulja and Arab. I wish I could have taken a photo but my flip phone picture quality was trash. Fast forward to a couple of other memorable moments while shadowing Lou. I saw my first club fight during a Rasheeda concert and Gucci Mane showing up at 3 am for a concert when the club closed at 2. Remind you, I was only 16. I was able to see the good, bad, and ugly of things before I started to DJ on my own. Lou also introduced me to The University of Toledo before I became a student due to him doing ALL of their events. Lou is also the reason why I am a Core DJ. He spoke so highly of the DJ coalition that I decide to attend one of the retreats in Atlanta back in 09 and I knew at that very moment that was the journey I wanted to be on. From 2006 to 2009, I’ve had a few internships on Hot 97.3 WJZE, The Juice 107.3 WJUC, my own college radio shows on 88.3 WXUT “Dem Radio Junkies and Full Effect Radio.” I’ve been apart of some Promo/street team for one of the biggest events to hit the midwest “Bash At The Bay.” In these 15 years, I’ve had gigs all over, from Universities throughout the midwest, All-Star Weekend in LA, Atlanta Greek Picnic, Sweet Heat Miami in Miami, and even featured on Shade45 Sirius XM #CoreDJRadio several times. During that time, I’ve relocated twice. In 2014 to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 2019 to Atlanta and that hasn’t stopped my grind. Moving has actually helped me grow as a DJ, with being able to see how each city adopts too certain music. It’s crazy how things work out I’ve been saying I wanted to move to Atlanta since I was a kid now, I’m in one of the few cities that are actually OPEN during this pandemic.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a smooth road I can’t complain at all. If it wasn’t for DJ Big Lou The Mayor, DJ Doww Jonez, and DJ Kausion I wouldn’t be where I am today. Each one of them played a major role in my career and I appreciate them more than they know. Lou has always made his equipment available to me; let me open up for him at gigs and even past gigs down when he doubled or even tripled booked. LoL, I was booking gigs not knowing if I had the equipment to use But Lou always makes way for me. Kausion gave me my first gig at a bar called Mugshot in Toledo, Ohio, and just about every event he promoted. Last but not least, Doww Jonez has always been just a call away. I remember being in the middle of a wedding and my stuff started to mess up and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what was going on. Doww kept me calm and walked me through a couple of steps to see what the problem might be. These guys are the greatest blessing ever in my corner, even here in Georgia I speak highly of them. As I travel and do gigs in other cities, I notice all DJs aren’t here to look out for you and that’s cool.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an open format DJ, and I specialize in creating memories for people. One of my proudest moments was being able to DJ in front of my Soror, the legendary DJ Spinderella via Zoom. Afterward, she found me on Twitter to tell me my set was dope that’s something I’ll never forget. I took a screenshot of the tweet, so I could frame it. Another memorable moment was djing for my sororities’ regional conferences via Facebook live and seeing that thirteen thousand people were watching me. I thought AGP “Atlanta Greek Picnic” put me in front of a lot of people but 2020 and the pandemic have put me in front of thousands of people. I want to give a big shout-out to my sorority “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated.” and my DJ family “The Core DJs & Ladies of The Core.” I’ve done a lot of networking within these organizations and form family bonds. It’s a couple of things that set me apart from others my personality being one and my energy being another. I like to relate to my crowd you might even see me on the dance floor with the crowd. Some DJs start to act differently once they start bumping shoulders and getting connected, but I can’t see myself switching up I’m the same ole Red. Another thing I feel that sets me apart I’m always willing to learn and ask questions. I don’t mind putting in the footwork for what I want.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always down to support, work and collaborate with anyone long as his or her energy is good. I’m an easygoing person so they can honestly just hit up my booking email BookDJYungRed@gmail.com or my social media’s such as Instagram @DJYungRed. I love networking with people, you never know how you can help one another.

Contact Info:

• Email: BookDJYungRed@gmail.com
• Instagram: @DJYungRed
• Twitter: @DJYungRed