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Meet Derrick Utsey of Logistical Styles inCity of South Fulton

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

Derrick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started out DJing while I was living in New York and still in high school. It began as a hobby but eventually I saw that this could be something bigger. Once I moved to Georgia, I began to meet other DJs who were willing to practice and do parties with me. At the same time, I also had the desire to make beats so I would buy used beat machines and multi-track recorders and attempt to make my own music. I’ve always tried to make the most out of any situation regardless of how big or small it is. My first gigs were skate parties and hole in the wall clubs. Each of these gigs taught me something new about the music business. As I grew in experience and skill, I would eventually begin to create a name for myself and earn a living doing what I love. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled the country and been able to provide for my family by using my talents as a DJ and beatmaker.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been easy. There were times when the gigs seemed to dry up or when my personal life would make me slow down or miss opportunities but I never gave up. I would always find a way to adjust to my current situation. There have been times when I’ve felt overlooked for a gig but I couldn’t let that stop me from pursuing other opportunities. Some gigs just were not a good fit for me and now in hindsight, I can see that I wasn’t missing out, instead, I was probably being saved from a major headache or worse. There have been times when I made a dumb decision and had to live with the consequences, but in the end, I gained experience and learned a lesson that I otherwise would not have learned. Of course, there is always Industry rule #4080, which you just have no control over. There is a shady part of the industry and that can easily get you down if you let it. I’d be lying if I were to say that I’ve never been burned by shady promoters or club owners. In my early years, I’ve done parties and not gotten paid. I’ve had equipment stolen and I’ve been undercut by other DJs but I would definitely say the positive has been far greater than the negative.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Basically, I am the business. I am a DJ, and producer. As a DJ I am kind of a jack of all trades. I DJ private parties, corporate events, clubs, lounges, comedy shows, college radio and I participate in DJ battles. As a producer, I specialize in creating background music cues for TV shows, commercials and occasionally video games. Although I do all of the above, I am mostly known for participating in DJ battles. I think I’ve been in ALMOST every noteworthy DJ battle in the Atlanta scene. It’s just something I love to do. I’ve traveled across the country entering battles and I love to post up video clips of my practice sessions. As a producer, I am most proud of the number of placements I’ve landed. I’ve been consistently getting placements since 2007. I’ve had my music used on shows such as Real Housewives of Atlanta, Chopped, MTV True Life, Behind the Music and more. My most proud producer moment was actually hearing my music on TV unexpectedly. It truly blew my mind.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is a great place to get started in the music industry whether you want to be a DJ or a producer. There are so many conferences and opportunities here that will allow you to network and meet people that can help advance your career.

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Image Credit:
Christie Z

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