We recently connected with Gregory Thompson Jr and have shared our conversation below.

Gregory, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

If there is one thing you should never hesitate to do it would be to always is invest in yourself and the things that bring purpose to your life. I say this because on my journey throughout life my family has had A BIG impact on how I invest into things. So hears a little back story: Music has always been a part of my life, being raised in the church could be seen as a source of musical inspiration but for me, it has to be my father Gregory Thompson Sr (DJ Gee-Unit), As an infant, I was stuck to my dad like a leach trying to suck up as much musical knowledge as possible from him.

My parents constantly told me how much I would cry whenever my dad would bring his turntables out to practice and how I wouldn’t stop until I had my turn on the decks, I guess being around someone as passionate as him lead me to want to beat him at his own game. One of the first lessons he taught me about the craft was to always invest in yourself (being the business). He would often state that ” How can you expect someone to invest into your product and/or service when you haven’t taking the first step to invest in yourself.” That lesson was critical for my personal development not just as a DJ but also in life. Learning how to constantly invest in myself lead to many opportunities that helped me grow as well as help others learn to invest in their dreams and aspirations.

So please take a chance on yourself. Go out there and buy that camera or thing that you have been looking at for months but was to afraid to do. Because at the end of the day you can’t hope to finish if you’re not willing to invest in yourself to get started. :)

Gregory, 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?

Music has always been a part of my life, Being raised in the church could be seen as a source of musical inspiration but for me, it has to be my father Gregory Thompson Sr (DJ Gee-Unit), As an infant, I was stuck to my dad like a leach trying to suck up as much musical knowledge as possible from him.

My parents constantly told me how much I would cry whenever my dad would bring his turntables out to practice and how I wouldn’t stop until I had my turn on the decks, I guess being around someone as passionate as him lead me to want to beat him at his own game. So it was a no-brainer for me to pick up on the craft and take my love for music with me on this journey throughout life.

I got my start at an early age thanks to my dad since my first gig was booked by him at the age of 14, It was a birthday party and I can still remember how nervous I was that day but he never left my side reassuring me that I was doing a great job while also throwing me to the wolves. It was something about that moment that filled me with so much happiness seeing the crowd dance without a care in the world. That’s when I knew that this is was where I needed to be, behind the decks helping people relax and express themselves.

From that moment on, I was hooked to the craft. Over time my source of inspiration soon became my greatest teacher and rival. My Dad continues to push me forward in the craft each and every day. Teaching me the value of a DJ and what we have to offer for any type of event or establishment. That being said I was taught how to play in any style being a completely open format DJ, This way there wouldn’t be a gig or event that we couldn’t provide our services for. Thus Gee-Unit DJ services were born with my dad, my first cousin, and myself. I would continue to work under my father all throughout middle school, high school, and college.

Thanks to these experiences I was able to make a name for myself at college as one of the DJs of Coastal Carolina University and the myrtle beach area. I would perform for the new students during freshman orientation and a few other events on campus to help the new student celebrate making it into coastal.

After graduation, I took a short break to focus on my career for a while but once I settled into a position I was Itching to put myself out there once more. I ended up moving to Charleston back in 2015, so I had to figure out a way to break into the market. So on par with still working with my dad, I started to work for Bunn DJ Company as well in their Charleston location. This move did wonders for my career as a DJ introducing me to so many different people causing even bigger opportunities to come to light.

These opportunities came in the form of the creation of an event that a good friend of mine Samira Owens (DJ Sista Misses) and myself started up called ‘Make Me Dance’. Where we bring the open format style of DJing back to the forefront making the focus back on the community and building a relationship with our audience other than just ourselves. Serving the people is what the craft is all about so why not give the people what they have been missing.

We started out at Faculty Lounge (a Low-key, convivial cocktail lounge offering beer specials, tap wine, and bar snacks, plus dance nights.) and have had the opportunity to host this style of play at Warehouse | The Lux (an Industrial-chic hangout specializing in artisanal cocktails, plus clever small plates and sandwiches.) as well. People have been coming out to support and they are loving the experience that we have presented to them.

If your looking to catch me live around the city you can find me at various locations all over the city so make sure to check my Instagram (@dj_nor_way) for details that I have going on throughout the week. Normally on a Saturday night you can fine me at Recovery Room Tavern (No-frills bar offering pinball, darts, pool & bocce, along with wings, sandwiches & beer.) with the one and only DJ JeffET every once in a while. Now if it’s the FINAL friday of the month than you know its the place to be.

As of now, I’m working on creating more events around the Charleston area that bring the focus back to the craft and the people. Day Time Disco is a day event that has come into reality thanks to my friends at Todin’s Market which features my father (DJ Gee-Unit) and Myself playing the classics while you enjoy the great food and beverages from the kitchen. We hope to bring it back real soon once things clear up with the location or we’ll look to fine a new home for it soon.

Next on my list to push a DJ anywhere campaign show casing dope areas around the city while presenting some great edits and flips of tracks that we all know and love. Also be on the look out for the next wave of DJs coming soon to the area. Their collective go’s by the name of booboo mafia IG(BOOBOO.MAFIA). These kids got a lot of heart behind the craft and they will continue to make waves all around the city. Until this I hope to see you at a show or just living you best life doing what you do best.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As DJ I make it my mission to bring an authentic experience every time I get a chance to play. I also follow my playing style with industry-leading equipment used for any set or event booked for my services. This could be a wireless system, uplighting, or a personal mix/edit.

What sets me apart from the other DJs in the area is that I want to transform the venues that I play at to enhance the experience that I’m presenting to the people. I really believe that if we focus on the music and the experience that we want to present it will help bring DJs back into the lime light of amazing entertainers as well as community builders.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I wouldn’t say this has helped me in the form of management but reading manga has helped me solidify my resolve to push forward in the craft no matter what stands in my way. Stories a about love, perseverance, hope, loss, grift, and especially acceptance are the driving force in most of the graphic novels that I happen to indulge in. So if you’re looking for something to light a fire in you and help keep you motivated I would highly suggest that you give manga a try. There is something for everyone as long as your willing to look for it. But here are two great picks if you’re interested in giving it a shot.

1. March Comes in Like a Lion (aka Sangatsu no Lion)
2.Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_nor_way/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuKBAbZkgf9MPY3wTtjmqgw/featured
• Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/DJ_Nor_Way/

Image Credits
Kenny Reed