We recently connected with DJ Rue and have shared our conversation below.

DJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

One thing that I adopt on a daily; is that I am “always a student”. I’ve been in Music Production & Theory since I was a little girl; so things were already familiar to me when I decided to step into this industry. Even though my background is in Music; I still felt that there is more for me to know. I bought Books about being a DJ, I watched a surmountable amount of videos, and I took some classes in Chicago at The Scratch Academy. This helped me to step into the Industry with no blind folds; I’m also a “question asker”, I have no problem asking questions to retain more knowledge. Knowing what I know now: I wouldnt change a thing! Rushing anything in business is dangerous if you want longevity and success. The skills that I think were most essential is reading about the business; doing it any way when I was scared of the failure, shadowing the seasoned DJ’s that were willing to show me the ropes; and not always having the ‘perfect gig’ during the beginning years of business. I wouldn’t call my moments of lacking knowledge as ‘obstacles’; if anything, it was FEAR! But I quickly stepped on that, and kept it pushing!

DJ, 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?

I’m that little girl that set high expectations for myself. From a young age I had dreams, BIG dreams! Growing up in a Pentecostal traditional family was not always a joy ride; but definitely taught me moralism, faith, and self awareness. Ive been in Music since a little girl. It was surrounded all around me from church musicals, to traveling on the road with my Grandparents, to later traveling on the road with my Uncle as a professional Background Vocalist, a demo vocalist for major record labels, and then later learning the production and artist development side of the Music Industry.
I provide a service of integrating different sounds of music that resonate 3 particular things; unity, diversity, and cultural expression. I want my Music mixing to be an escape. A way for my listeners to feel free to express themselves through movement/dance, and to also hear different sounds and instruments.
What sets me a part? The best answer I have for that is; being an individual! Being, Me! There are so many talented disc jockeys, and each one of us have something that the people want. Its enough room for all of us, music is healing. The more we focus on the community and providing a service of healing through simply tapping into our creative vessels and sharing our talents? We’re dropping a dose of healing each time we touch our Mixers.
Im so proud of the RUE Brand! It has truly grown! (And still is…..) I wouldnt trade the hiccups, the tribulations, and challenges. One thing I make sure of each time I come across a potential or reoccurring client; is that NO set is the same! And I want an unforgettable experience so we can schedule to meet at the dance floor again!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

There are so many options out here to support Creatives. One of the most the potent! The secret to the sauce? is buying, recruiting, supporting, and utilizing creatives within our own community. There are also non-profits & organizations that provide resources and tools for creatives to produce and develop their sound. Playground Detroit, the Mint Artist Guild, and Amplify the Sound of Detroit are some of these places just to name a few. The creative ecosystem of Detroit is vast. We not only have Motown and music as the center of our threshold; but we also have artists, product designers, carpenters, builders, and assembly line workers that turn a lot of our fantasies into a reality here. We have some potential here in Detroit, and it’s slowly and surely being introduced more and more. Keep your heads up!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes!! my Journey was a bit different with having resources. I didn’t have a lot of help when I first introduced myself to this Industry. I slowly started meeting and obtaining resources when my feet were already wet; and I was treading in the shallow part of the water. But! teaching myself the skills and theory behind mixing; along with asking my family members in the Music Industry for assistance was huge in developing my skill for Mixing. I wouldn’t change how and when I met my resources; just grateful to have them now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iamdjrue.wixsite.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/_iamrue
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uknowRue/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZwkAqjFkMuKAiXbH-RNQzA

Image Credits
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