Today we’d like to introduce you to Braxton Lee.
Braxton, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The beginning of my journey into the music industry started back in 2002. I was in the second grade when my mom started working for Clear Channel Radio, which houses many radio stations like Kiss FM, Mix 102.9 and among other stations. Being exposed to all sides of the entertainment industry, it was only a matter of time before I started to take an interest in music. I really dove deep into exploring it, learning how to do mash-ups, which lead me to introduce what I discovered to my Mom. She suggested that I spend some time in the Studio with Billy the Kid & Junior, and show them what I had put together, in hopes they would guide me in my journey.
From there, that’s when it all began, they took me under their wings and taught me the basics of becoming a DJ. At Which From that point, I ventured out on my own and started DJing some Pep-A-Rallies, at my high school.
After high school, I started community college, and I got involved in a Church program. I had found a new interest and decided that I wanted to take a different journey and I put my music interest on the back burner, but in the back of my mind, I would always it. Which at a point lead me to attend a University, which I did and then I realized that it wasn’t for me.
I dropped out and started looking for a job and randomly I ran into an old high school friend and the conversation lead to her referring me to someone doing an EDM night. Man, was I excited!! This was going to be my first show and my first set. I worked my butt off coming up with that set. It was all Twerk Remixes and EDM. I played my set and it impressed the sound guy. His name was Jason Sledge and little did I know, he was about to change my whole life. We traded info and months later, I get a call from him asking if I’d be interested in DJing at a spot at a place named “Taboo Lounge,” I started DJing there on Wednesday and Thursday nights, where I learned a lot.
This lead to me meeting a DJ named Rockstar Overdose. He really introduced me to a whole new definition as to what DJing really was from a technical standpoint. From a bit of Scratching to Mixing, he trained me for a bit. After a while, he introduced me to a very well known DJ named Jose Sanchez better known as Dj Insanity. Insanity ran a mix show called The Monday Night Mix Session, which leads me to meet some really badass DJs.
At that point, I was introduced to a new whole world of music and DJs that I didn’t even know existed. After being introduced to Jose, he took me under his wing for almost a year. It was like some Karate Kid type stuff and he was hella hard on me. I learned his style of DJing, from Latin music to Hip Hop to Top 40. Watching him at clubs and doing events. After months of learning all that I could from him, it was time for me to spread my wings and be on my own. For a year, I networked, did events and bars and that’s when things began to change.
In 2018, I had no idea what was about to happen. I went from just seeing the Latino Club and event side of the DJ world to seeing all the sides of it in the DFW. I met DJ’s that I will always look up to for the rest of my life and made friends for a lifetime in this industry. The list is way too long to name everybody. I’ve learned a hell of a lot from different people from all sides. I even did my first battle with the help of Jay J Deleon. He trained me on how to prepare a set for a battle and why track selection matters.
After the battle during that summer, I got my first club residency which was at a country saloon called, Neon Moon. There, I learned about crowd control and country music. After I was there for a couple of months, I went back into Bar DJing and events. A few months later, I got an offer to cover a bar in Dallas named High Fives, which was super cool, I ended up becoming the official cover DJ there for a while until I got offered to do Friday nights earlier this year, which I am currently rocking. Along with Cross Fit Rev 40 Wednesdays, F-45 South Keller every other Saturday, I also hold a residency at Dibs, located in Victory Park on Saturdays nights and I DJ at monthly FGIII Fine Art Productions
It’s been a crazy journey to get to where I am now, but something I’ve realized is that I have loved every second of it. God opens doors and sends many people to help you get to where you need to be. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone that has been supportive and believed in me these last three years.
Has it been a smooth road?
With doing anything, there will always be ups and downs. Nothing ever goes smooth or according to plan. Getting ahead of yourself which happens often making things hard, can make or break a career. Making mistakes happens as all my friends say,” It’s about how you recover not how you fall”.
Another struggle I’ve run into is getting caught up in the nightlife. It can consume you make you into someone you’re not. You always have to make sure your keeping track of yourself and have a good group to run with.
One of the toughest struggles I have had would be myself. Having a disability and working in this industry is changeling at some points. Trying to hide having Asbrugers with its ups and downs itself is a battle. I’m hella awkward sometimes so not comparing myself to others is a battle it makes you fill subpar. You learn at a point to have confidence in yourself. Like my good friend Dj Fishr says, “ Work and worry about yourself. Master your skillset, slow down take your time”.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’ve done everything you can think of, being an open format DJ, from clubs and bars to events/weddings. You have to adapt to any kind of music. What I specialize in is all kinds of music From Kpop to Country there is no barrier for me when it comes to genres of music.
Which is what sets me apart from other DJs. Bringing genres together you never would have thought. While bringing the vibe to the room having fun with them and enjoying the party. When your crowd is lit, it makes you lit, so you can take them wherever you want. Which is why I’m known for playing party music, bubble gum pops with a lot of Twerk music, music from the 2000s and modern Hip Hop. I cater to the woman most of the night.
In the end, one of the biggest accomplishments for me has been gaining the respect of my peers and Dj’s I look up to. Having to work my ass off to get to where I am.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5-10 years in Dallas nightlife, I’m going to be a club DJ. That’s why I started all this was for that. At that time, I hope to do some traveling and doing different events and clubs. While helping other DJs get connected with each other and contribute more to the DJ community in my city and other cites. With all the connections in the industry, I hope to become an Entertainment Director booking talent in different venues all around the city and states.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 2146054311
- Email: dejaybrax@gmail.com
- Instagram: DJ_Brax
- Facebook: facebook.com/DJBRAX1
- Twitter: DJ_Brax
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/djbrax1
Image Credit:
https://kelliekayphotos.com
https://instagram.com/inno_vate/
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