We recently connected with Dwight Smith-Murchison and have shared our conversation below.

Dwight, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was on myself. In 2018 I was in an unhappy place trying to find my way within the entertainment business . I was working full time in Corporate America and full time for an entertainment company that I thought was a legitimate business at the time.

After lots of sleepless nights and continuous situations of bad business happening. I had the thoughts of making a change. It was after one final argument with the team of people I had been working for that almost cost me my life when I decided that a change needed to happen now. I took time to focus on my mental health. I needed time to figure ME out.

I went and saw a therapist and started investing time into myself and church looking for positivity and a peace of mind. When I finally got myself together . I decided that it was time to focus on the career I so badly wanted . I struggled with the thought of doing things on my own and if I could actually do it.

After some conversation with friends and my mother. I took the risk of doing everything on my own. I then formed DSM Entertainment Firm. Which was the best decision in my adult years to date. I pride myself on integrity and it was important to me that if I was going to continue to pursue a career in entertainment that I had a place that can display my work, passion, and dedication to this business and it only made sense that my own platform would be the only fit for that.

So in the end it was NEVER a risk. It was a chance that I needed to take on ME.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am someone who has grew up around Music their entire life. Born and raised in my early years in New York on Long Island. Growing up as a child I was exposed to a lot of music at an early age. My parents were young in their Mid 20s and My Grandparents were young also But they weren’t old. I was able to absorb different genres of music and identify the differences very young . I grew up in a Jamaican Household. The Music of the culture is Reggae/DanceHall So I knew your Beres Hammond, Freddie Mcgregor, Bounty Killa, Sean Paul, Shaggy & more. But I also knew Boyz II Men, Baby Face,Heatwave, Luther Vandross.

My curiosity grew for music more because in the back of my childhood home there was a hut. In that hut is what we called a Sound System,And with that sound system is where my dad and my uncles would spin records on a turntable to play music. They would go out and DJ parties and events. I remember there being crates and crates of records that they would dig through and load the turntable up before the next song. Today I’m sure those records would be worth a lot of money seeing that in today’s time we are seeing people more and more try to bring back /recreate things of the 90s-2000s

My Father and His long time friend were able to create their company and form an event called World Clash which Traveled all over the world for years . A clash is an event where people come to see DJs battle. Almost like what we know as Versus today! These men would get their best records and together and have the ultimate Face Off. The Hoopla and excitement of these events was to hear who had the best Dubplates. Dubplates are the American version of a “drop ” where the artist will endorse a Disc Jockey or radio station.It was the excitement to see who could get the biggest Artist to make a Dubplate for the Dj and Talk smack about the opponent DJ. People would come out in the thousands and would stand for hours and watch this showdown happen and to see who would win the trophy for the night. Irish and Chin Inc Has paved the way for a new generation of soundmen and clashes to come!

As a Grew older. I did not see that style of business being something of longevity and financially lucrative for a lifetime for myself .

Concerts became my thing.Going to Concerts meeting Artists watching the pre production phase happen until show time is where I developed a passion and decided that this was something that I wanted to pursue. With that, I knew I did not want to be the one to have the financial Burden of making the events happen. I wanted to be the person behind the scenes making sure it happened.

I am someone who grew up with the foundation of music around me and I have a great appreciation and respect for music. When you see me I am music!

DSM Entertainment Firm is a full Service Booking Agency that Specializes in Live Events,Artist Management + Marketing + PR. We have worked with artists such as The Isley Brothers, SWV,YG,MYA,2 Chainz, YG,+ So many others…..

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The Best Source of New Clients for Me is Networking. I think more now than ever. People want you to prove yourself before they work with you or give you an opportunity . In Entertainment it’s different . My Company is an Independent agency. I do not have any sponsors or major corporations backing me so, I have to work a little harder.I HAVE to prove myself.

My way of doing business is hand to hand and what I mean by that is. Being involved every step of the way. Being in direct communication start to finish and being proficient with each task done regardless of the circumstances.

My work ethic shows for itself that it makes artists/managers want to do business again. That then turns into referrals and then those references turn into business. The takeaway here is None of the above is possible without Networking and putting yourself out there. Make your presence known and show them what you can do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Let me just say this. I was ready to take myself out of this world because people made me feel like I was a problem and I was not good enough. I was Purposely taken advantage of and unknowingly used to deceit people for other peoples benefit.

My spirit and my passion was bigger than what I was up against . I have been told NO more than I have been told yes. I have worked for free and have taken losses at no fault of my own.

But I did not stop. I kept fighting and I kept going. And every time there was a NO. A yes was soon to follow.

When given the opportunity to prove myself I showed up and showed out,Then more opportunities opened for me.

To this day I continue to prove and show value. Although the Journey has not been easy and I am still learning as I go. I would not change it for the world! As long as the passion that I feel and the determination is still there to be bigger and better than my last. There will be no giving up over here! Because if not ME! Then who?

Contact Info:

• Website: dsmfirm.com
• Instagram: @Hisnamewasfabian/@dsmfirm