DTL JAMS shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
DTL , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Sheesh. What is normal? So imma give you a couple scenarios. Ive been blessed enough to be so busy DJ’ing that I don’t have to work a traditional 9-5. I do have a part time job, working for the BEST DISPENSARY in NASHVILLE, LABCANNA!! I try to never work more than 3 days a week there, lately its been like a day or two so imma give you what my day looks like if I’m scheduled to work, vs my “day off”
Ok, let’s say I have a day shift, that means I’m clocking in 10:30-3:30, so I’m waking up around 6,6:30, Feed the cat. Im in the gym by 7:30. Hopefully home by 9:15, hit the shower, then I’m eating a protein packed post workout meal. Im at work by 10:30, or 10:40 cus Im not got lie I be late for thaaatttt.. During my shift I’m helping customers choose the right products. In between customers I’m on my laptop responding to emails, downloading new music for future DJ sets, searching for new places to DJ.
Now it’s around 4 so I’m heading to the post office to drop off online orders. After that I clock out, head home, and make my way into the studio, where depending on how I’m feeling or what needs to be done, I’m either mixing down something I’ve already recorded, making new beats, practicing my drum work , or writing & recording the BEST raps you’ve NEVER heard..
Now it’s around 9, I’m Hungry. Im making dinner. I’m eating, usually watching something while I eat cus I’m one of those people. Next couple hours I’m practicing DJing. Hopefully I’m in bed by 12.
Now if it’s an “Off Day” not much changes. Im still In the gym early. But after I shower and eat, it’s studio time and I try not to leave till I have something worth listening to in the car for the car test. Lets say I have a gig that night at 9, I’m there at 8
(8:45 sometimes lol) I’m setting up an hour early cus usually if anything goes wrong, I can correct that within the hour. Gig is done by 2, Im probably grabbing a sandwich at Dukes, and then headed home to be in bed by 3:30, all to do it again the next day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Whaddup DOE?!?! Im DTL JAMS! Im a music nerd (first and foremost lol) based in Nashville currently. I was born In Flint Michigan in the 80’s, Raised on the Northside of Atlanta in the 90’s, and spent my Y2k days in Monterey California, before making the trek back to Atlanta. Music always had a special place in my life and I really don’t care how cliche that sounds! It’s MY TRUTH! In the 80’s & 90’s my dad had a studio in his basement in Flint. Not nearly as common then as it is now. This meant I spent hours reading the liner notes of CD books, playing every Cassette Tape I could find, and even recording my own songs as a 3 year old! I would love to bang on those drums, mess with the keyboard, and make up songs. I never lived with my father, only summer break visits so I would go a whole year writing raps and then in the summer I would try to record them. What would usually happen is I would mess with one, get tired with the process after finally getting it right , and deciding to go outside and enjoy my summer breaks. Hey I was a kid, like 8-12 years old every year this kept happening. Eventually I fell in love with the process of making music, and started teaching myself how to use his equipment when he was at work. Started a rap group called Excalibur ( Shout out my Guys Sincere, Uncle Dre, Pablo, Concept & Ramses!) downloaded programs like Sonic Foundrys Acid 2.0 and boom! I could make beats and record without having to use my dad’s setup. Fast Forwarding to today , I still release my own music, I’m still rapping , still making beats for myself and others. But I spend most of my time DJing All over Nashville and sometimes Atlanta! I feel incredibly BLESSED to be able to take care of myself and my loved ones off of spinning vinyl! I started spinning in 2017 and I feel like I haven’t slowed up since! Nashville has been great to me, providing a plethora of venues to DJ, Rap, and Drum in. But more importanty, its provided me with a real community of some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen. It’s an honor to call these people my friends.
As far as what I’m working on right now? Im mixing down my collab album with my producer herouno based out of Maryland. We’ve been working together since Myspace so we are loooong overdue for a full project. Hence the title, Better Late Than Never Vol 1. Hoping to Have that out by late August. I also have this desire to work with as many Nashville artists as possible. If you have an album and I don’t have a track produced on it, that’s a problem for me. I take it personally lol.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be? That’s a good question…
I was a MC before the world told me I was a DJ.
I was a Loverboy before the world told me I had to be ice cold.
I was extremely trustworthy before the world told me everyone out here don’t have my best interest at heart.
*Jordan Shrug*
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
How to make do. How to adapt. How to be resourceful. How to make something out of nothing. My Mother and Stepfather were extremely religious, growing up as a Jehovahs Witness, they weren’t very supportive of me and my musical ambitions. On top of that my family had a reputation for being bad with money. We could never seem to get out of the hole.. That taught me to be resilient . Also showed me I did NOT want to end up like my family. I knew I had to figure something out with this music, so I could keep my fridge full.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’d say Andre3000. I don’t know him personally, but the fact that this multimillionaire is just wandering the globe playing his woodwind instruments screams to me that he has figured it out. Do what makes you happy. No matter if ten million people want you to rap- drop a trippy Yazz Flute album, go on tour, but when you perform, make up new stuff on the spot at every stop… I love that energy.
Locally here in Nashville? Gotta say Mossy Mcfly. This brother was born and raised here had deaf parents, and hella hurdles to overcome. His is not my story to tell, but if you ever get a chance to have a conversation with him, you will definitely realize he’s a true gem to the city. Gave me my first drum set so I could drum for him and Blvck Wizzle (Shoutout Almighty Hedknod aka The Funk Triangle aka Triangle of Funk lol) and he hosts an amazing open mic every tuesday night on Jefferson st at Solberg Studios. The brother is an amazing Bassist, incredible Freestyle MC , a fantastic mechanic that EVERYONE calls on when they having car issues, but more importantly, he’s a Solid Human!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Oh im definitely doing what I was BORN to do. I was told to be a preacher since the age of 6. But remember, I was in my dads studio at 3 years old rapping… I was born to make music, no matter if I get recognized for it or not! Nothing makes me happier. I was BORN to DJ. What else was I gonna do with all that random musical knowledge I’ve accumulated my whole life?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DTLJAMS.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtljams/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dtljams9216
Image Credits
James Southard
