Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Pope.
Brandon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started producing music in 2009, all because I had ambitions of becoming a band director. Coming from DeKalb County Schools the music programs were held to some very high standards. I loved music, but in band classes, we played things created by someone else. I wanted to create and listen to my own music. I then realized that through music production I could without requiring a group of instrumentalists to play my compositions. I still continue to produce beats because of demand and passion. I started Djing in 2012, simply because I knew I was gonna be broke after I graduated high school. I figured I could learn how to Dj since I knew how to make beats already. I started practicing on my first turntable I bought with the last of my money. I took it all down to college in Daytona Beach and began networking with local DJs for a chance to showcase my skills and possibly earn some money. I had some really great friends who took me in taught me more lessons as a Dj and that launched me forward as I moved back to Atlanta to continue on to where I am at today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This business has its ups and down. It has not been a smooth road. Trying to balance regular life and entertainment life can be difficult on the mind. I learned a hard lesson on how to deal with drugs, alcohol, women, negative people, clout chasers and more. I was 20 years old when I really hit the ground running full-fledged in business and the biggest set back I always ran into was money. Bills are consistent but steady income as a Dj or producer is solely up to you and God. Learning to discipline your self and to stay on top of what you have to do at the cost of friendship or love was a tough lesson. I realized nobody cared about what I had to do to make sure I was getting booked or making money as a producer, but when I neglected to do those things while trying to attend birthday parties or spend time with family and friends, in the end, I was the one who had to figure out how to pay a bill or where my next meal was gonna come from. But through it all, I love the path I am walking simply because I chose it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My stage name is BDP Soundz (my initials). I am a Dj and a music producer. I chose the name BDP SOUNDZ because I didn’t want to be classified into one mode of operation. I can mix and master, I can arrange sheet music, I can play instruments, I can record, I can repair audio equipment and more. So, with all that being said, that’s where the SOUNDZ come into play because its deeper than music. My favorite things to do tho are Dj and produce. I would be highly overwhelmed if I marketed my self under any more occupations. I have to say I mostly know for Djing though. Whenever it’s a holiday or people I know outside of Atlanta come in town, my phone will ring all day with the same inquiries. Everybody wants to know where the party is at. Although I don’t care to party really I do like making sure the soundtrack at the party is on point so People always come and support me Djing because I take pride in my performances every time. I purposely try to talk through my hands from funny sound quotes from popular movies or social media trends to timed sound effects that give you goosebumps with the music. It has solidified my sound and style so much to a point where all my closest friends tell me they can’t go to another party and not criticize the Dj after hanging with me. I find that funny.
What was you like growing up?
As a kid, I grew up kind of by myself. I have a huge family on both sides but I was born so late in reference to most of my cousins and siblings. So if I wasn’t drawing or playing a video game alone I was playing with other kids in the neighborhood. By me being so young in my family all of my cousins and older siblings had children who all kind looked up to me as the big kid so I always had a deeper sense of responsibility, I became an uncle at the age of 1 funny right. But no matter what I always had a thirst for creation I wanted to be an inventor at one point. I actually won an art contest in Dekalb county in 2005 for one of my drawings. My younger family members would see me doing these things and I noticed my influence and fast forward today I always think of them because I know they are watching me always have been. My Dj sound tag is actually my 3rd youngest niece. I recorded her when I was 15 saying “BDP SOUNDZ DATRUTH BOI!!”
Pricing:
- $75/hr speakers included
- $50/hr no speakers
- Beats $20-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundcloud.com/bdpsoundz
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bdpsoundz?igshid=2bqgclr8d5vh
- Other: https://m.mixcloud.com/discover/bdp-soundz/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
