Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Cent.
Hi DJ , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
91 was the 1st year I got my gear Kelli Hand came over to assist me in setting things up & showing me a few pointers, shortly after I started doing a basement party at my home only during the winter months for 3 years then, began doing guest spots around the city (i.e Club 246, Club 69, Ole School), my 1st residency was at Alvin’s in early 96! While spinning at Alvins me & my partner created a afterhour space called Mad House Friday’s at the Tom Phillip Post late 96 until June of 05 (the longest running after hour in Detroit)!
Still doing guest spots around the city I then got an opportunity to do a guest spot on WDTR 90.9 FM for the Theresa Hill After School House Party on Thurday’s 5 pm – 6 pm (and then later) her New House Grooves Show on Friday’s (5 pm – 6 pm) in 06 continued appearing there, until in 08 I got a call from Mike Huckaby to come down & do a guest spot for the Club Insomnia Show on FM 98 WJLB.
This led me to become a resident DJ for the show in 09 from 3 am – 4 am was my time slot the show air every Sunday from 3 am – 5 am (holidays 2 am – 5 am) hosted by Kim James with Reggie Harrell & (added later) DaNeil Mitchell (R.I.P)! Playing the Club Insomnia show being live on air every weekend allowed me so many new opportunites as well as meeting some amazing people/DJ’s, being on such a huge platform with little restrictions on me, I learned so much more from the business aspect & truly being able to feel free on the decks, sadly due to Covid late 19 our show got cancelled!
Playing in so many different amazing spaces & being a resident DJ in various club spaces, just to name a few (The Post, Pandora’s Box, Regine’s Off The Park, Fine Arts Theatre, Barts Warehouse, TV Lounge), as well as playing in other cities (NYC, MN, LA, ATL etc) has been 1 of the highlights of DJing. Continuing to introduce new music & adding some different spices within my sets (i.e. baltimore club, techno, garage etc) these things has allowed me to grow deeper in my craft while learning crowds & for me most importantly sound!
Witnessing DJ’s like brother’s Greg (Todd’s) & Ken Collier (Club Heaven), Melvin Hill (Famous Door, OBE) Charles Hicks, Jeff Mills aka The Wizard, Dwayne In The Mix Bradley (FM 98 WJLB Radio), Frankie Knuckles (Generator, House Of Blues), Duane Powell (Generator), Ron Hardy (LaMirage) along with Chicago Radio in the 80’s) Sarena Tyler (Club Splash), Kelli Hand (Zipper’s) & DJ Minx (Music Institute, Spotlite) helped cultivate what I continue to do today!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been smooth initially coming from the Black LBGT community spaces where some of the DJ’s (mostly men) wasn’t so welcoming, but as I continued to do me & create my own events & spaces, those area’s started to fade! For me to be real sometimes trying to ‘fit in’ became my biggest struggle I went through that for a short period, not at the time understanding that me being “Different” is my strength & I didn’t nor wanted to fit in with what other DJ’s are doing! Sometimes not following or being apart of the clicks/groups was a struggle when trying to move in different directions, but I learned early to create your own space & build your own following!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Producing and creating music, I specialize in crafting unique soundscapes and am known for my innovative approach to songwriting and arrangement. I’m most proud of the emotional connection my music fosters, seeing dance floors respond to your music & DJ’s pumping it is what I am most proud of, I believe my passion and attention to detail set me apart. I am known for sets that are raw, unfiltered, and fiercely danceable.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Being kind & inviting has always worked well for me, showing support & supporting other’s helps in the networking area, don’t be afraid to talk to people, but also creating your own spaces which is what I mostly did, yet inviting other’s to join me!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djcentdetroit.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/DjCent
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj-cent-a16505b6/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/djcentdetroit
- soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/dj-cent
