We recently connected with Dj Oxygen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi DJ , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
We are driven by under privileged youth in the urban communities. We were the first to have an accredited DJ Academy for youth. We were recognized by the Smithsonian. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/in-motion-video-contest/editors-pick-amp-up-the-classroom-43360731/
We just want to show the positive alternatives for our next generations of kids.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I got into the music industry through my Uncle, Eric Bell, a notable fashion designer in the NYC area. He made my initial introduction with fashion stylist, Groovey Lew, who was the stylist for the Notorious BIG and Bad Boy Records family.
At first I didn’t want to be a dj. I wanted to worth in the fashion industry, like my uncle. I did however, work for many fashion houses before realizing that being a DJ was not just a hobby. It would become the reason for my success.
Right now, I’m the tour DJ for Bill Bellamy and we have been touring the world for the last three years.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A time I had to pivot was during Covid. I was on a major comedy tour at the time when Covid shut the entertainment industry down for a number of years. I began my online djing platform with daily shows (Gospel Sundays, Quiet Storm and Hip Hop Saturdays). While djing online, I planned my next move once the world was open again.
I met Bil Bellamy towards the end of Covid and we began working together 1 year after our first meeting .
How’d you meet your business partner?
I met my Road Manager/Business Parter Tarik Sanders through Bill Bellamy and Terrence (Bill’s Manager). They thought that Tarik and I would be a good team. We have become brothers and business partners since then.
Nina Dawkins, serves as my daily manager, baby sitter and cousin. I can’t do anything without Nina. She makes my schedule and keeps me healthy and available to give my performances.
Traci Henderson-Smith I my business manager. She handles The DJ Oxygen brand, The Oxygen Smoke Cigar Company and my script writing company. Traci keeps all of us moving from the background.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedjoxygen.com
- Instagram: origonaldjoxygen
- Facebook: Shawn DJ Oxygen Dillard
- Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCeEVoJiSDggptWDim0yTLOA/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djoxygennj
Image Credits
@rgfent_and_photography