Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Allen.
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a Lafayette, Louisiana native, and I was fortunate to be introduced to music through a very festive environment that celebrated live music, rhythm, and instrumentation. Church, Mardi Gras marching bands, and music constantly filling the rooms of my childhood home all played a role in developing my love for music.
Hip-hop eventually became the form of expression I gravitated toward most. I was drawn to its youthfulness, creativity, and freedom—especially the ability to communicate through words. It gave me a way to move beyond expressing myself only through an instrument or notes on a page. Hip-hop taught me how to organize my thoughts, tell stories, and put what I was feeling into words.
After high school, I enrolled in technical school to learn a trade in electronics. At the same time, I worked at Pizza Hut and saved money to buy my first DJ equipment. Once I finally had my setup, it only took one gig for me to see a completely different possibility for my life. I realized I could spend five days a week working at the restaurant, or DJ a couple of nights and earn more money in fewer hours doing something I genuinely loved.
Of course, I wasn’t factoring in all the hours I spent practicing! But the fulfillment I felt was undeniable. Before long, I turned in my two-week notice, and I never really looked back.
Later, I began working with an artist who eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a record deal. Around the same time, I felt like I had taken my DJ career about as far as I could regionally, so I decided to move to Nashville and give it a shot myself.
Our demos began making their way around to different labels, and along the way, my DJ work caught the attention of a few artists including dc Talk. That relationship opened the door to their camp and eventually evolved into me working with TobyMac as he launched his solo career in the early 2000s.
Alongside touring as TobyMac’s DJ, I released four projects through the Gotee Records/UMG system and continued developing as an artist, producer, DJ, and creative.
More than two decades later, I’m still creating, still traveling, still learning, and still finding new ways to express what I love about music.
And the beat goes on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
That’s a great question. It hasn’t always been a smooth road.
Musically, there have definitely been seasons when it felt a little lonely because my primary instrument—the turntables—isn’t a traditional instrument. There were years on the road when the conversations around me were all about guitar frets, amps, pickups, drum heads, chord structures, and other things that weren’t necessarily part of my immediate world as a DJ.
But over time, I learned the importance of being inquisitive. Instead of feeling left out of those conversations, I began treating them as opportunities to learn. I listened, asked questions, and absorbed as much as I could. Looking back, I can honestly say my musicality has grown tremendously because of it.
I’ve even found ways to bring another instrument from my childhood—the trombone—back into my creative life, which has made the journey even more interesting.
It’s been a bizarre road at times, but when I zoom out and look at the bigger picture, I realize I’ve been fortunate to experience so many of the things I dreamed about as a kid: traveling the world, using my gifts to bring hope to people and communities globally, continuing to grow creatively, and being married to the love of my life.
So no, it hasn’t always been smooth—but it’s been incredibly meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the core, I’m a DJ, producer, and creative who has spent most of my career figuring out how to make the turntables function as more than just a playback device.
I specialize in using DJing as a musical and performance tool. That can mean building live moments on stage, remixing and reimagining songs, creating transitions that help shape the energy of a show, or finding ways for the DJ to interact musically with a full band. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to do that in arenas, festivals, clubs, and venues internationally.
I’m probably best known for my longtime work with TobyMac, but I’ve also released my own music, produced and remixed records, and continued to explore different areas of DJ culture and electronic music.
One of the things I’m most proud of is longevity. I’ve been able to make a living doing something I genuinely loved as a kid, while continuing to evolve as the technology, music industry, and culture around DJing have changed.
That evolution has also included livestreaming. I really enjoy the ability to connect with people through DJ livestreams in a way that’s completely different from a traditional live show.
There’s something unique about being able to create community through a screen, interact with people in real time, and still create that shared musical experience. Whether it’s an arena or a livestream, the goal is really the same for me: connection.
I also think versatility has become one of my strengths. I came from hip-hop, but my musical world has expanded considerably over the years. I’ve worked across hip-hop, pop, rock, electronic music, and live-band environments, and I’ve learned how to communicate musically with people whose backgrounds are very different from mine.
Beyond music, I’ve become increasingly passionate about mental and emotional health awareness. I’ve learned that influence doesn’t always have to be used to promote the next song or the next show. Sometimes it can simply be used to remind people that they’re not alone and to encourage honest conversations about what we’re carrying internally.
That’s one of the reasons I created the TALK section at djmaj.com/talk, where I share personal reflections on faith, emotional health, creativity, purpose, and some of the lessons I’ve picked up along the way.
What probably sets me apart most is that I’ve never really seen myself as someone who simply plays songs. I’m interested in how music connects people, how it can change the energy in a room, and whatever platform I’ve been given can be used to encourage people beyond the music itself.
Even after all these years, I’m still curious. I’m still learning new technology, studying music, experimenting with ideas, and looking for new ways to push what I do forward. That curiosity—and the opportunity to keep connecting with people—may be the thing I’m most proud of.
How do you define success?
I think success is having the freedom to live in alignment with what you value.
For me, that means being able to use my gifts well, provide for the people I love, maintain meaningful relationships, and still have peace at the end of the day.
There was a time when success was easier to measure by opportunities, travel, records, stages, and accomplishments. Those things still matter, and I’m grateful for them. But as I’ve gotten older, my definition has become much broader.
Success now looks like longevity without losing yourself. It’s continuing to grow creatively, staying curious, being dependable, treating people well, and having a life outside of your résumé.
If I can look back and say that I used what I was given well, encouraged people along the way, loved my family well, and remained grateful through the process, I’d consider that a successful life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.djmaj.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playmajmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playmajmusic
- Twitter: https://x.com/playmajmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@djmajtv
- Other: https://www.djmaj.com/talk
