We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darryl “DJ DLIFE” Payne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darryl “DJ DLIFE” below.
Alright, Darryl “DJ DLIFE” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I was working a 9-5 job with the aspirations of one day diving full-time into my career of djing & entertainment, but that had to be something I would need to plan for because I was a single dad raising two young children. My job at the time would allow 2 weeks vacation a year and as a rule I would’ve taken my vacation around Miami Carnival (October) which give me the opportunity to make some extra cash doing something I loved with the benefits of my 9-5 back home on my return, or so I thought. The year was 2003 and I submitted my vacation request like normal and like any other time it was approved, but little did I know there was a couple people that had an issue with my vacation dates because they knew I would always go to Miami for Carnival and I guess they didn’t like it. So whatever was said because of their seniority at the job worked in their favor and I got notified that my once approved vacation was being disapproved and when I questioned why after it was already approved I was told it’s a scheduling conflict and I would have to change my dates.
Imagine the anger and disappointment I felt now, noted I had already booked my flight and I had gigs lined up. They say its not good to make decisions when you’re angry but this felt different, like my gut was telling me go for it. So my mind was made up, I came to work that Saturday like normal knowing good and well it would be my last day at this job. Slowly as the day progress I was loading my truck with my belongings but not to make it obvious I was taking a little at intervals. One person noticed my actions and that was the security, I remember him asking me “so this it it bro? You not planning on coming back”. He was security but he was also my friend and had an idea of what happened.
My days off where Sunday Monday so after leaving on Saturday I had two days to put my plan together, my flight to Miami was the Tuesday the day I was scheduled to return to work my master plan was to simply call out sick every day with the plan to have a doctors letter on my return providing it works or if it doesn’t they would just have to fire me which would make me eligible for unemployment thus giving me a cushion. Pretty simple right?
Wrong, who I could see at one of the events I’m Djing at in Miami the same co-worker who got my vacation taken away, I proceeded to dj with a different type of energy my motivation to excel doubled just knowing that individual was watching me and knowing they would be making a call to the job that following morning and my plan would be exposed.
That morning I got a call from a fellow Dj telling me what an amazing job I did the night before and that a few promoters wanted my number. My excitement made me forget about everything else including the sight of my co-worker that night. That day after I got an email from my then boss telling me that I’ve been out a couple days and if I don’t come in to work the following day with a Doctor’s note I would be terminated. It was the outcome I expected but I thought I had a few more days but I guess the phone call was made. The next day like clockwork my termination letter was issued but the funny thing was I felt like a weight was lifted off of me.
I spent the remaining time in Miami doing what I do best…entertaining people. When I returned home the reality registered but it was short lived cause I got a call asking if I would be interested in djing on Hot97 needles to say I said “YES”and the rest as we know it is history.
Darryl “DJ DLIFE”, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My passion for djing and entertainment was influenced by my late uncle (Desmond James) whom was a well respected dj and music connoisseur in the Brooklyn New York area and from a very young age I was was drawn into it. It has lead me to where I am today being a well respected Tv/Radio personality and Dj/Producer that has traveled the world doing what I love. My stage name “DJ DLIFE” to which I’m very proud of has be associated with major radios and television networks including the likes of Hot97, SiriusXM, Synergy Tv and Sound Chat Radio. My current situation is my passion for production and tv, and using it to provide a services that is unique with my experiences. One of my pet projects is being the Production Manager for one of the biggest carnivals in North America (Miami Carnival) and using my skills to further develop it. My website www.dlifemusic.com is one of the many places someone can go to understand my brand and journey.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
One book in particular “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey”
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Is seeing the end product and knowing you are responsible for that and being able to entertain an audience. Seeing that audience embrace what I’m projecting whether its djing on the airwaves on radio or television or at an event or producing a great show or event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dlifemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdlife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REALDJDLIFE
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?trk=guest_homepage-basic_nav-header-signin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLvX3V06Gx6AIKnHFTz2-VQ
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@realdlife