We were lucky to catch up with Barrington Fowler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Barrington thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I used to dance in college and I would make the mixes for my dance team. Summer 2011 I was at my little brother’s house grilling and hanging out. One of the programs I used to use, virtual dj, is the medium we were using to listen to music that day. I was on the computer blending song after song and we had the idea that I should become a dj. He had a pretty decent size apartment so we sent out a message to the entire dancing team that we were throwing a party at his house that night. He had a 3 piece stereo but instead of using the speakers it came with, we connected a 12 and ran my computer to the stereo with an aux cord.that party didn’t end until after 5AM. At the end of the party everybody said, ‘you should be a dj’. Safe to say, I listened lol.

Barrington, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always had a love for music. In high school I was in the band, 2nd chair section leader for the french horn section. I was also captain of the dance committee for the band while having a dance team as well. Towards the end of my high school career I started making beats, footwork tracks and used to rap here and there. Freestyling in class wasn’t optimal to show my talent, but I did lol. Continuing my dance career is what really propelled me into music, listening to different cadences and instrumentation in the music. Because I went to school for Business, coupled with my mother having her own business, it was easier to turn a hobby into a business. I don’t have a manager or a booking agent so I handle bookings, payments and everything that comes with it on my own. Over these 14 years of my career I’ve played proms, fundraisers, colleges, cruises, tours ceremonies and in several countries, but that doesn’t sum it up at all. The DJ field is so saturated but I bring a couple different elements. I don’t think an ear is that special because I think that’s a requirement to be in this field. Entertainment such as singing and dancing, pushing the envelope with uncommon mixes and being PLAE is where I shine. Pandora plays music, but the way I play music is what keeps you coming back for more. I’m the most proud of creating this lane and ascending without a how-to guide. Most careers, if you do this and that you’ll be successful but there isn’t a blueprint to being a successful dj. There is a guarantee that you’ll be more than satisfied if you hire DJ PLAE.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2016 the club/party scene was oversaturated with urban DJs. I made the decision to change lanes. I went, what we call ‘across the tracks’ and stated to play for venues that were more geared to pop, soft rock, EDM and even ventured into playing for elementary and high schools

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been me. Not sure if you remember the term, ‘no free lunch’, but no one is going to give you anything, you have to go get it. I do my own client acquisition and from these gigs, people hear me and want to book.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @djplae
• Facebook: @djplae
• Twitter: @djplae