We recently connected with Dj Steel Wheel 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?
It is meaningful to me as a DJ that those who experience my sets leave with a deeper appreciation for not only the music, but also an appreciation for the craft of curating a vibe for an event. Whenever I am asked to DJ an event, I put great care into thinking about what it is my client desires to be presented to the audience musically, as well as how can I use my creativity, knowledge of people and love of the music to create a space where people feel free to connect with others emotionally through a shared experience.
It is my mission to introduce new material that may not have been requested, but that I am sure will add to the memory of the night. Total control of the energy in the room is the task of the DJ. I want people to feel free to let go of any inhibitions and just get lost from one song to the next. At the same time people are losing themselves in the euphoria created by how the DJ strings together song after song, they are discovering new tastes, new connections with others they might not have known that have the same musical tastes. I feel my overall mission as a DJ is to help people learn to evolve using music as a catalyst to foster new connections not only in themselves, but with others as well.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started DJing in college at N.C. State University circa 1999. My dorm window was right outside of a courtyard where lots of people would gather throughout the day. I used to be known for playing all types of music on a old cd/cassette tape player hooked to some rather loud desk speakers. People would always tell me that they enjoyed the vibe I brought to the space. My first set of turntables actually came from an acquaintance that had owed me some money. I remember him coming to my dorm room with the two (not matching) Technic turntables and telling me that he noticed I liked to play music and that he did not have the money but he did have some musical equipment he hoped would suffice. I reluctantly took the equipment, I didn’t even have 1 record at the time. After a few weeks of practice, I gathered up the courage to actually DJ in front of a crowd and the response was life changing. I watched as the crowd moved from song to song and felt a level of control that was intoxicating.
My DJ name ” Steel Wheel” is actually a play on my actual name “WILLIAM BROWN” or ” Will” as most people called me and an ode to the equipment (Wheels of Steel) that unlocked a whole new world inside of me as well as connected me to my known world in an entirely new way. Fun fact: I used to be a rapper that went buy the name of “Double U Ill”.
I am an open-format DJ. I pride myself in my vast musical knowledge and expansive musical library. I have played all country music sets, Quinceañeras, Bar Mitzvahs, all Latin music sets, Hip Hop, R&B, Afrobeats and much more.
Upon moving to Charlotte, NC in 2012, I began to develop my brand professionally. I am proud to have been a pioneer in many musical movements here in the city. This is where my journey as a ‘Vibe Curator’ began. A few of my proudest events include:
1. MFGD – An event where we showcased all local hip hop talent for the entire night. At the end of each performance the crowd would give live feedback letting the performers know if they rocked it or needed to ‘go back to the lab”.
2. State of the Art – This was an event curated by my brother Dweh Brown and I that included local acts such as poets, dancers, instrumentalists, singers. Some notable acts included, Bluz the poet and Harvey Cummings a well known musician in the Queen City.
3. Sol Afri – All Things Natural PopUp – This is an event curated by me and my wife Siobhan Brown that creates a space for cultural synthesis in the areas of business development and the arts. We provide opportunities for vendors of ‘natural’ products to engage in commerce in a community of like minded individuals as well as showcase local talent during the pop-up shopping experience.
Notable Achievements:
1. I was a DJ for the Breakin’ Convention held here in Charlotte from 2015 – 2017
2.The following year 2018, I dj’d for the Hip Hop Nutcracker held in the Knight Theatre.
3. I was tasked to DJ the after party for the cast of Hamilton in the same year.
4. Resident DJ for: SuCasa: An event created by Jasiatic where folks can relax, dance, have cultural exchange through dialogue & dance in the realm of Diasporic dopeness. I have been a resident DJ of one of Charlotte’s oldest and livest dance parties for over 10 years!
5. Resident DJ for AfroPopCLT: another long standing dance party in the city (9+ years) that includes live instrumentation, and a musical exploration of the vastness of the influence of African music on many of the more popular genres.
6. Resident DJ for Rhythmic Soul Dance Company
7. Resident DJ for No Grease Barbershop (Northlake and Premium locations) blessed to dj for talents such as 3D’Natee, Skyzoo, Lady London, RJ Payne and Styles P (of the LOX).
8. Resident DJ for ASE’ Wrestling – A Black-owned pro-wrestling company owned by Darius Lockhart.
9. Resident DJ for many events thrown by Blumenthal Performing Arts, Boom Charlotte, and Taste of Charlotte.
I have been a part of many movements here in the city. I most want to be remembered for the ingenuity and honesty I bring to the dance floor. I love being able to use music to create spaces where people feel free to learn about themselves and others through cultural exchange,
Apart from DJing I also provide:
1. Equipment Rental
2. Audio/ Video services/ consultation for conferences/ meetings etc.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Many young or aspiring DJs always ask, “How did you get your first gig?”, “How did you learn everything you know?, “How did you know you would be good at this? The answer to all these questions is you have to trust your passion. One thing you have to be connected to as a DJ is the people. My first gig actually came from me overhearing a conversation between two students in my dorm stating that they wanted to throw a party, but had no contact with any DJs. I had just received my mismatched turntables from an acquaintance of mine and only had about a couple weeks practice and a couple of crates of records. I felt that this was an opportunity where I could take advantage of by solving their problem as well as testing if I was really ready to take on DJing a party. I had to trust myself. No one else, including me, had any proof that I was going to be able to pull it off. It turns out the event was a success which led to many more opportunities and further growth in my path to become a bonafide DJ. My passion was the driving force in all this. I carried records for local radio DJs to get into parties to hear what it was they were doing that made them so well-received by the crowd. I used to see the legendary hip hop artist Biz Markie, DJ at a club called Kamikaze in Raleigh, NC. He would tell me I could watch him just don’t interrupt him during his set. I have done free shows just to get the practice in front of a crowd I normally would not have been exposed to. My passion for Djing led me to learning other musical genres so that I could expand my reach as a DJ. Any obstacle I have faced on my path to grow as a DJ has always come down to how bad do I really want to do this? My passion is what drove me to create financial opportunities outside of deejaying to provide funds for equipment when my DJ skills were not sufficient to do so on their own at the time. You can achieve anything with the right amount of passion, focus, drive, and support.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Word of mouth hands down helped me build my reputation as a DJ. I started DJing before the days of Tik Tok, Instagram, and other notable social media outlets. Consistency is one aspect of this craft that an aspiring DJ must develop. Once you deliver your product/skills to the people, it is imperative to remain consistent with your level of professionalism. business ethics, and growth. I have had websites, printed out thousands of business cards, etc.. When I get a new client the majority of the time the first words I hear are, “Hey are you DJ Steel Wheel? I got your name from (previous client). I also hear “I have been to a few of your events and like your vibe”. You never know who is watching. I always tell my crowds that it doesn’t matter if it is 1 or 1000 people at the event, you are going to get my best everytime.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @djsteel_wheel
- Facebook: @djsteelwheel
- Other: https://audiomack.com/dj-steel-wheel
