Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Zelle.
Hi DJ , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a huge huge passion for music from playing instruments as a child. Growing up I would listen to a lot of mixtapes hosted by DJ Scream, DJ Swamp Izzo, DJ Pretty Boy Tank, DJ Plugg, DJ Holiday and all of the Hoodrich DJ’s. I would listen to the Hoodrich DJ’s live sets on FM and Sirius XM radio stations in the evenings and nights. I knew then that I wanted to be just like my fellow colleagues. I began my DJ career in college at Tuskegee University. I used my refund check and stipend to buy DJ equipment. I would practice in my room and on some weekends when I wasn’t booked in Tuskegee, I would come to Atlanta to shadow other DJ’s and listen to how they sounded. I would network with DJ’s, promoters, club owners, bottle girls, bartenders, artists and everyone I came in contact with to have a chance at getting gigs in the nightlife and private gigs. My friend by the name of Dee secured my first gig in the Atlanta nightlife scene at a club called knockouts on Old National Highway with a group of promoters. I was the DJ at knockouts for quite sometime before transitioning into clubs, lounges, and restaurants within the city of Atlanta. Upon graduating from Tuskegee University, I worked for Apple during the day and would DJ at night but every time I had a customer I would give them my DJ business card with my contact info, links to my social media, and mixes. I have gained even bigger clientele and notoriety from just networking and making it a habit passing out my business cards. One thing that also has brought me so far is my ability to entertain a crowd. I go above and beyond to provide an experience by hyping up the crowd with my voice and also leaving the DJ booth to dance with the crowd. My goal is to make sure everyone has fun and enjoys themselves during my sets.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
During my DJ journey career it has definitely been struggles. I know many of my DJ colleagues and friends can relate when I say you can get undercut in the nightlife. You can be booked consecutively in a club to getting a text or call saying they have someone else for that night or weekend. You could sell out all the bottles in the club, make the club money, and have everyone turned up the whole night and still get replaced. Another struggle would be not getting paid on time and having to keep contacting a promoter or club owner about the pay they owe you. Trust me, you’ll hear every excuse as to why you haven’t been paid.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Again, I graduated from Tuskegee University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. I am currently employed as an engineer during the day. Also, I am a service member in the United States Army Reserves as an Officer. I’m usually at drill one weekend every month handling my responsibilities as a Logistics Officer.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel like I have a drive and don’t quit attitude. The biggest thing is whether you are up or down you cannot quit you have to keep going. When you want success you have to make personal choices and sacrifices to achieve what you desire. I have a great mother and grandmother who have poured a lot of wisdom, insight, and love into me that motivate me to always keep going. Lastly, I have a great prayer life with God and I always talk to Him and He shows me how to become successful and a better person daily. It’s very important to give God his time throughout the day daily. If you show up and show out for God, He will do the same for you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @iamdjzelle
Image Credits
@flamesxflacko
@shynilee_
