Meet DJ D-Up | Disc Jockey, Producer, Audio Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with DJ D-Up and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DJ, what role has risk played in your life or career?

I think taking risks is a necessary and important part of life in general. For me, I think much, if not all, of my life and career has been, and still is, defined by taking risks. Before I even started DJing, my friends and I would sneak into underground clubs and parties, risking getting arrested! Taking those risks exposed me to a whole new world and led me to fall in love with the art form of DJing.

Of course, in the case of DJing, when you try to turn your passion into a career there is a level of risk involved. Banking your income on the ability to pursue, obtain and perform at gigs is certainly risky. Therefore, I’ve had to “stay on my toes,” and understand that this risk can backfire if I don’t go hard each and every day. With that in mind, I took a risk by leaving Washington, DC and moving to Miami in order to pursue what I love. When it comes to DJing, Miami is no joke, and DJs move here everyday – taking the same risk I took many years ago. At the end of the day, for me, taking risks has led to a greater understanding of who I am, what I love, and how I want to live my life.

These days, I’ve embarked on another risk by partnering with RIDE, a Miami based fitness/spin studio and business. We heavily incorporate DJing, music, audio, lighting and video into a ‘social fitness’ atmosphere that creates an undeniable energy and brings people together while celebrating physical and mental wellness.

Indeed, we are bringing something completely new to the fitness world and it is very exciting! It’s certainly a risk because when you start something new and bring it to the public you really don’t know how it will be received. You just believe in what you are doing and dive in head first. We are lucky that we have had an overwhelmingly positive response. In fact, we just participated in Global Wellness Day at Oasis (Wynwood), which was featured by NBC 6 and World Red Eye.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Constantly working on my craft keeps me busy professionally. As a DJ, producer and audio engineer my craft revolves around the creation and manipulation of music. More specifically, as a DJ, my craft revolves around combining hip hop “turntablism” and house style mixing. I bring forth a unique approach, and create an undeniable energy that keeps party goers begging for more. I create action-packed sets, and I am at my best when I get the chance to combine all types of music, including hip hop, reggae, reggaeton/latin pop, house, edm, pop, rock, 80s, Miami bass and more. I have attained a level of notoriety with lively sets that blend crowd-pleasing familiarity with originality and style. At the end of the day, this is what sets me apart from others. I want to be different from other DJs. I have always believed that if you are not different, you cannot stand out.

One of the things I am most proud of as a DJ is the fact that I am still doing this, my way, after over two decades. I started out with two turntables and a mixer, and I am still in-demand after all of these years. I believe I got to where I am professionally by carving out my own lane, and not being too concerned with what other DJs are doing. Like I mentioned, I want to be different. It was not easy by any means, but part of what separates me is my passion and the fact that my passion simply won’t let me quit. I have seen DJs come and go, quit when things get tough, and try to mimic what others are doing. Of course, any DJ who has been doing this as long as I have has come across numerous challenges. Whether it be losing gigs by factors that are out of your control, promoters and club owners not trying to pay you, or times when things are slow, I have simply stayed the course, stuck to my guns, and let my passion dictate what I do. I truly believe, you do what you are, not you are what you do.

I have learned countless lessons along the way. Perhaps, most notably, is to do what inspires you. If you do what inspires you, quitting really isn’t an option. I will DJ until the wheels fall off, so to speak, whether it’s in my home studio or in front of hundreds/thousands of people.

What do I want the world to know about me, my brand, and my story? Simply put, when I’m behind the decks my passion, longevity, creativity and whimsical nature shine through, creating memorable experiences that allow party goers to rest easy knowing D-Up is behind the decks.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

First and foremost, I would say come check me out at Shoma Bazaar on Fridays and Saturdays! Located in Doral, it is a bit off the beaten path, which I love. This place is ridiculously far ahead of the game in terms of its concept and experience. Beyond the 14 food stalls, the lounge and nightlife experience is first class. Shoma is truly a perfect combination of food, drinks, hanging out, and having a good time.

Oasis in Wynwood is another place that I believe is a must. I absolutely love Oasis, it’s design, concept and the talent they bring week in and week out. Not to mention, RIDE has been fortunate enough to partner with Oasis on fitness events and we are looking forward to doing more in the future. Oasis is another destination that is way ahead of the pack.

Racket in Wynwood is another venue that guarantees a great time. This place is a great combination of a bar and club, and delivers a quintessential Miami party/nightlife experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are so many, too many, people to name that have supported me and my dreams. Of course, there are a few standouts.

Over the years, the great folks at Homecomin’ Hospitality Group have given me many opportunities and most notably had me be a resident DJ at the old Foxhole Bar. It was this residency that, in large part, helped propel me to being voted 2011 Miami’s “Best DJ” (Miami New Times) and named among Miami’s “Top 10 DJs” (SunPost Weekly). This residency allowed me to show my turntable skills and knowledge of music, and certainly helped me separate myself from other DJs.

NYC’s and Miami’s Scratch DJ Academy and Scratch Events have also played an integral role in my success as a DJ. With them, I have played countless events and parties for various brands such as MTV, ESPN, Red Bull, Jimmy Choo, Tommy Hilfiger, adidas, Youtube, and so much more. I also taught DJing for a stint at Miami’s Scratch DJ Academy.

Robert at Garnish Music Production & DJ School has also supported me over the years by not only having me teach DJing at his studio, but also by having me participate in his recording sessions.

Of course, I have to mention the entire RIDE team. They believe in what I do and want me to be a part of the overall vision. This has allowed me to take yet another risk. When you do something like DJing, you never really know who is paying attention to what you do and how your paths might cross. We have something very special cooking at RIDE and our space will soon be open.

More recently, I have become a resident DJ at Shoma Bazaar, an amazing, cutting edge food hall, bar and lounge that is, in my humble opinion, well above and beyond much of what is going on in Miami. This opportunity has been a huge blessing and has allowed me to expand what I do in terms of party-rocking. The support they have shown me has been tremendous and I am grateful to be part of their team.

Saving the best for last, I have to mention my wife, Amanda, as she is and has always been my biggest, brightest, and best supporter.

Website: www.djd-up.com

Instagram: @deejaydup