Yesterday, I got the opportunity to sit down with DJ Infame, one of Baltimore’s hottest DJs! Not only were his story and accomplishments amazing, but his spirit and determination was inspiring. We sat for our interview at XS Restaurant in Baltimore, MD and ate Sushi while conversing about Nightlife in Baltimore, Music, Business, and more.
DJ Infame was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. His first DJ experience, like many DJs, wasn’t the most “successful”. He remembers DJ’ing in his Aunt’s basement for his little cousin’s birthday party. They didn’t like his DJ’ing at ALL- in fact they boo’d him. Infame recalled his experience saying, “yeah, I played the same song like 5 times in a row.. My Mom used to work as a server (part-time) for the Old Hammerjacks and I was always around DJs like DJ Boobie, DJ Frank Ski - and I fell in love with the music. It all started from the love of music before I even had turn tables I loved music. My Mom had a stereo with one record, and I would keep scratching that one record.”Well, as you know, his story doesn’t end there- He started at age 14, opening up for local DJs – Went to College – Then came back in 2005 and started DJ’ing at cook-outs. One day he DJ’d at a cookout where all of the promoters in the city were in attendance. In 2006, a year after the cookout, he started receiving calls. One of those calls was from DJ QuickSilva, asking DJ Infame to open up for a party for him at Red Maple. After that party, Quick would ask him to open up for him every time he would DJ a party. DJ Infame said, “One Sunday, DJ QuickSilva decided to go to DC 100%, which left me in limbo. But, I heard Quick, one day, made a comment to one of the promoters saying “You need to use Infame for every event”. So, I went from Thursdays at Pure, to TD Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays- from there it was constant growth. So, now I’m everywhere. All started from DJ QuickSilva and ,Azikiwe, Dejuan D Hov, and Mark Baltimore putting their brands on the line and taking a chance on me.”
Infame has DJ’d for Ray Lewis, Samari Rolle, Carmelo Anthony, Sam Cassell, Mario, Paula Campbell, T.I., Jadakiss, Jazmine Sullivan, Idris Elba, Terrell Suggs and TLC. “It’s been a blessing”, he told me. He was recently inducted into the Core DJs – the nation’s most influencial DJs, and he’s the only DJ from Baltimore that’s a Core DJ. “It was a big surprise to me, because people from different markets are listening and paying attention… I didn’t even apply for it”, he said. This past November for one of his first events with the Core DJs, met Diddy for the first time at the Diddy Dirty Money Listening Party for Last Train to Paris.
Two Weeks ago, DJ Infame was selected for the first Nightclub BDS/MediaBase - DJ Datalinc – A program that inducts Nightlife DJs, tracks what they’re playing in the club, and sends their findings to record labels. “It’s the same thing that radio stations do with record labels. They’re not getting a true reading with Radio of what people are really listening to. They started a Nightclub DJ Program, and I was 1 of 15 DJs that was selected around the nation for the first trial. NYE weekend, I had to select what I played and process it so record labels could see what was played. With this type of program, if you’re a local artist from anywhere around the nation you can see how many times your song is played in Baltimore; even if you’re from Milwaulkee.”
When The Music Stops
Who many don’t know is- DJ Infame when he’s not spinning. He went to school at Western MD College with a double major in Business Administration and Economics – Now, he is 26 years old with an MBA and a MS in Business. “Initially, I wanted to try the corporate world”, he told me. He decided to quit his job at a bank and DJ 100%. His mother told him that if he wanted to do it, and build a brand and a business, he would have to put all 40 hours into it; and that’s exactly what he did.
He wants to take everything he learned from College and put it into his DJ Business. He even wants to, soon, go back to school for a MS in Finance or get a Law Degree. “I want to be self-sufficient. A lot of my business aspirations come from wanting to be the best businessman I can be.” He has a manager so he’s able to bounce his ideas around with her, yet still remains informed- able to get feedback while being knowledgeable.
The Love of Music
Now, just because a DJ plays certain songs at the Club, doesn’t mean that’s what they listen to on a daily basis. Well, DJ Infame has a vast musical palate. He just loves music. “Pop, Country – a lot of music with live instruments. I’m in love with the way music is put together. Hip Hop doesn’t always have that. Green Day, Lady GaGa, Kanye – I like a vast range of music. Elton John. Having a wide base doesn’t keep you in a box.”
Love-Life
DJ Infame talked about how difficult it can be balancing being a Dj, and having a love life. “It’s a choice. Something is always going to be on the back burner. At this point, I’m really not focused on trying to devote ALL of time in that area, but if I’m able to find someone that understands, time-wise – that I may have to take a trip for 3 days, or for a weekend… hopefully it will evolve into something more. It’s just a time factor – you can’t ask someone to be with you if you can’t give them the time they deserve. I don’t want to be selfish”.
“Respect The DJ”
A T-Shirt line with City of Gods /Compete Clothing – www.cityofgods.com - at 1118 Hollins Ave, Baltimore, MD is also another project DJ Infame is managing. If you’ve ever seen the “Respect the DJ” tee-shirts around – That’s all DJ Infame. Starting next month, they’ll be having Varsity Jackets, as well. He wants to build awareness- that you have to give the DJ some credit, especially good DJs. “Sometimes some promoters like to undermine the DJ and act like he’s insignificant. Be aware you have to respect the DJ, they can ruin your night.”
Another Tee coming out, he told me, is called “Integrity” which touches on the idea of trying to keep things honest – Honest Business. “Be who you are when no one’s looking. It’s telling the industry, let’s be honest when we’re having business.” In Spring 2011, different ideas with that particular business may surface- jackets, vests, maybe jeans – But the T-Shirts are out! Get yours!
Favorite Venues & DJs
His two favorite venues to DJ in Baltimore are at Eden’s Lounge and Red Maple. He likes the great staff, family atmosphere at Eden’s Lounge. In addition to liking the staff, he loves Harold and Helen of Eden's Lounge. At Red Maple, he likes that he knows and can actually speak to Mike, the general manager. He considers these 2, the best venues that he’s enjoyed being at because of the whole atmosphere. “Makes sense for us to continue to do business.”
Now, I asked DJ Infame, who are you favorite DJs. At first, he looked at me like he didn’t really want to answer the question, lol – Then he said, “This is MY Top 5… DJ QuickSilva, DJ Reddz, DJ Lil Mic, DJ Boobie, and DJ KWGriff (92.3)… Quick has a strong MC presence, Reddz and DJ Lil Mic have a technical way of DJ’ing, and KWGriff has good musical selection – makes a good combination.”
The Future of DJ Infame
This Wednesday, you’ll find DJ Infame at the Kappa’s Centennial at Select Lounge. Later in the month, he’ll be heading to Atlanta to meet with one of Young Jeezy’s producers to work with him in the studio. “I’m trying to work on the producing part, link with people in the game and I really want to learn. I’ve always had a goal to produce a Grammy-Winning song for Jennifer Hudson… “In Fame We Trust” – I want my fans to have enough trust in me that when they see my name on the flyer, it’s a guarantee that I’m going to have them dancing all night… and with promoters – I’m never Late, I’m always going to show up, and I’m always going to be consistent. I’m going to do what they pay me for, which is entertain the people. People should expect consistency. You’re not going to get a night when I’m not giving you my all. Some DJs play the same set, but you won’t know if I’m tired or having a bad day – It’ s my job to entertain you, Going forward it’s going to continue – I’m trying to build a relationship with people. It’s like Toyotas. Always look at DJ’ing like Pepsi or CocaCola, you have a level of trust that your money was well spent.”
It was an absolute pleasure sitting down with DJ Infame. You can check out more from him by visiting www.djinfame.com and following him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/djinfame.
“I used to complain, then I realized any day you can lose everything… No Regrets” – DJ Infame
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