We were lucky to catch up with DJ RNB recently and have shared our conversation below.

DJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

May 22nd 2015 was the day I left my 9-5 Job to attempt to live out my dream of DJn full time. It was scary as I was making really good money at the job. Full benefits. At that time I had done a grand total of 4 public DJ gigs EVER.

I was determined to succeed tho. Every day I woke up at 10am to download and listen to new music. At Noon I would go out to eat lunch somewhere and pitch my DJ services…. Everyone basically said no at that time. Then I would go home and practice practice practice my craft for hours. Then at night I would go out to listen to my favorite DJs in the area spin and study. Then repeat every day.

Knowing what I know now, I would have invested in Ads for marketing, as going out twice every day was very expensive. I cashed out my 401k, but was spending that money very very quickly.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Reggy Brown (born May 27, 1988), better known by his stage name DJ RNB, is an International touring Disc Jockey, Radio Personality, and Actor based out of Durham NC. Infused with a rich knowledge of music, this creative innovator is known as The Leader Of The New Generation. His super clean Transitions as well as his elaborate Light show transcends both cultural and generational boundaries.

RNB was born and Raised in New York, where he served as the DJ of many local events, performed in many dance and theatre shows, and served as the Emcee for several talent shows. He owns a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor concentration in Music Technology and Theatre Arts from Hartwick College in Central NY. He was the Radio Color Commentator for Hartwick College Football and Basketball games.

As an entrepreneur, DJ RNB is the founder of “Kingdem Karaoke” which is “hip-hop concert style karaoke”, which includes threatre lights, smoke effects, wireless mic’s, and DJ breaks. Having Invested over 50K of his own money he legally owns one of the largest legal song libraries in the Triangle area of NC. Kingdem Karaoke was runner up for “WRAL NC News Best Karaoke in 2018, and 2019 as well as “Indyweek News Paper Best Karaoke” in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023. He also is the founder of Trivia Company “Dope Trivia” Finalist for best Trivia in 2018 by Indyweek. He is co founder of “4 Phones Ent, LLC” which is a management agency that manages the career of some of the top Entertainers on the east coast.

RNB is a member of the “Da Beat Boyz” founded by International Radio host and DJ Brian Dawson, “Next Level DJs”, “X-Squad DJs”, as well as the World Wide “Nerve DJs”, which recognizes him as one of the top DJ’s in the Country.

He won “DJ of the Year” at the 2024 WRAL Voters Choice Awards, The 2019 “Carolina Music Awards, as well as the “2016 Bull City Music Awards” and is currently a nominee for DJ of The Year at the 2025 “SEA Awards” and the 2025 Southern Plug Magazine Awards. RNB is also a brand ambassador of “Luc Belaire Wine” and Rick Ross “Black Bottle Boys” crew.

RNB has been blessed to have DJd in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and even Jamaica. He is the official Tour DJ for “Carolina Waves” which is the #1 Independent Artist brand in the Carolinas.

He has DJd for Several FM radio stations in North Carolina including Radio Ones K97.5 and Foxy 107, Choice FM 92.1, and I Hearts The Beat 95.3.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started DJn at my gigs I used to be in my feelings that my Friends wasn’t attending my gigs. Then I had to learn that in the entertainment business you need fans and not friends. I needed to build a solid and sustainable fanbase, and once I did that it would allow me to charge well above market price, as my brand value would be luxury level.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

By 2020 I had 6 gigs per week, and had 2 tours lined up. A North East one (Boston, Albany NY, Brooklyn NY, Philadelphia) and a South One (Atlanta GA, Orlando FL, Tampa FL) and then Covid-19 happened. Bars and Clubs were closed. All my income sources were ended. I was freaking out and thought all my hardwork to get to this level was thrown away

But you can’t keep a hustler down. I was DJn house parties (socially distanced with masks of course), was renting out my Livingroom to Artists to throw their own virtual indy shows, and created a podcast series called “Shot Topics” that ended up being nominated for several highly acclaimed awards.

I also took the time for a serious rebrand. I got a new logo. New website. New tagline.

When the world opened back up I came out on fire. Was booked 7 days a week immediately, at all well above market rates.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipartywithrnb?igsh=MWc1bW9taWg1MzR0dg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BNLVGepj1/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@4phonesent?si=QnFdF10CJ-WTQVvX

Image Credits

Rashaad McNeil Photography