Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DJ RNB. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

DJ, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been a full time professional DJ for 7 years now. Before then I was doing small house parties, but In may 2015 a local DJ “DJ Delliman” let me open up for him at his sunday night residency. Even though It was unpaid, that gig gave me the confidence that I could really do this. I put in my 2 week notice at my 9-5 job the next day. Now as a veteran I wish I knew the knowledge about marketing and branding then I could definitely have sped up the process.

DJ, 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 always had a love for music and knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry full-time. I taught myself how to read music, and how to play the piano. After puberty it changed my voice, I noticed I couldn’t sing well.

Though I do have bars, rapping wasn’t gonna be my way in. During college (Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY), I used to frequently visit bars and noticed the DJs there always seemed to lose the crowd. Their transitions were all over the place also.

This motivated me to show them how it’s done. Using my college laptop, I used Limewire to download virtual DJ and some mp3 files and unofficially began my career. I Dj’d several times on-campus parties and events. After college I moved into the house party avenue which was fun, but very unfulfilling at the same time. I thrive off of the energy of the crowd, so I enjoy festivals, concerts, and large clubs the most.

What sets me apart from others are two main things.

1) My elaborate setup. I use an over-the-top huge lighting rig at all my shows, as well as banners, and custom table cloths. The DJ rig that I use for clubs are the same ones I use for large festivals

2) I am a true believer that “Real DJs Break Records”. In addition to being the official Tour DJ for “Carolina Waves”, which is the #1 Independent music platform in the Carolinas, I curate indy concerts, indy music tours, and being that I DJ out in clubs six days a week I provide the #1 promo package that includes club spins.

The #1 thing I’m most proud of thus far is winning “DJ of the Year” at the 2019 “Carolina Music Awards”. There was no award show in 2020, or 2021 so I’m still the reigning champ. I relocated to North Carolina in 2012. I had no connections here. No friends or family to give me my break. I made my own lane.

Everything I accomplished thus far has been through hard work. I also won DJ of the Year at the 2016 “Bull City Music Awards”, was nominated at the 2021 WRAL Voters Choice Awards and am currently nominated by 2022 Souther
Ent Awards as “Most Slept on DJ” (Vote for Me)

I also am the founder and COO of 4 Phones Ent LLC. 4 Phones Ent. was formed in 2020 and is an elite management agency specializing in finding generational talent. We work with Artists, DJs, Dancers, Producers, Photographers, Models, and Actors/Actresses all around the country.

We use our diverse network of curators and tastemakers to book tours, venues, festivals, weddings, and club performances all around the world. We work closely with labels, licensors, distributors, and promo agencies building up and accelerating artist careers.

Have you ever had to pivot?

No great story is smooth all the way. My biggest struggles early on were financial. DJ equipment is very very expensive. Turntables, CDJs, and Pro Controllers can be $2000. Pro Speakers are $600+ apiece.

After graduating college, the only job I could find was at Target making $8.31/hr. At times it wasn’t enough for my bills, let alone DJ equipment. I ended up getting a $75 plastic controller from radio shack. It was enough to practice on but didn’t even have inputs to hook up to real speakers, so after starting DJ in 2009, I wasn’t able to DJ from 2010 – 2012 except for two occasions where I used different DJs set-up.

In 2018, I had professional DJ gear by then lol, but after four years of DJ full-time, some man texting while driving rear-ended my car. Totaled my car, but most importantly over $7,000 worth of DJ equipment. I had a gigging DJ with national artist Trina the next day that I had to borrow equipment for. I also physically was hurt in the accident also to the point I could barely walk. Between the accident and going through a divorce in my personal life, I fell into a deep depression and seriously considered giving up DJ for good.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Alot of non creatives say that I am a “workaholic”. What they dont understand is that I havent “worked” since I quit my 9-5 job 7 years ago. I am finally living. Yes I DJ 6 days a week, but thats not work. Its my passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.4Phonesent.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedjrnb
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedjrnb
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/djrnb

Image Credits
8 Bit Photography, Cynosure Designed