July 31, 2019

Meet DJ Ice

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Ice.

DJ Ice, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Started off as a promoter when I was 16 years old. Under Q Taylor & Wes Trimble & Reham Coudry some of the top tastemakers promoters in the city. I was the starting Quarterback at the time at Lamar High School (2012). I was the leading all-time passer in TDs in season and yards (Shane Buechele broke the records after I graduated). Me being well known made it easy for me to bring people out to enjoy the nightlife.

I ended up signing a football scholarship to go to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina (HBCU). At all HBCU colleges, they have radio stations. I was introduced to Tyrell Houghton (he was on a football team with me) who is currently DJ Luke Nastys Road Manager. He taught me how to DJ and be a radio personality. I ended up being one of the go-to DJs at my college djing fraternity and sorority probates and major concerts, and also being the radio personality for WRVS 89.9. (Got RADIO DJ of The Year my senior year.) After I graduated with my BA in Communications Studies in 2015, I moved back home to Texas. I got hired on at ADT Security as a Corporate Recruiter making salary which was a blessing because it helps me take care of my two babies, my girl, and I can invest in my music career.

Also, I have DJd shows for Chanel West Coast, Steelo Brim, Waka Flocka, Lil Durk, Boogotti Kasino, and Sheck Wes. (All these shows were in Dallas, TX.)

Now, let’s get into what has been really getting my brand out there. I love music my uncle (Donald Boyette) was Michael Jacksons Bass Guitar player and music always was running through my mind, I already knew how to produce and make beats so I promised myself that I was going to take my passion for music seriously and try to be one of the best upcoming producers and ARs and im doing just that. I started connecting with different A&Rs around the city learning game from them (Norm T, Terry Blue, Rahe Ballentine, Slushy (Lo$t Records) ) and just building a different relationship and learning how to develop an artist. I found this kid named 12 Gage on twitter, and I was like yooooo this kid is AMAZING, I have to find him asap and start building, he is next level. I messaged him and he ended up staying like ten minutes from me. He was telling me about his life story how he had to do two years in the pen and he just wanted to change his life around and do music. Ever since we linked, we have been blowing up crazy. Our album “Talented Felon” has raked in over 200K streams in three months via all platforms. 12 Gage is now one of the hottest artists in the metroplex. He made saycheese’s hottest artist to watch list. A few labels have reached out to show interest nothing major yet.

DJ ICE is a groundbreaking Producer, A&R, and DJ straight out of Arlington, TX. With an ear for what sounds good, DJ ICE takes inspiration from a wide variety of musical genres, sampling everything from 90s R&B to Hip Hop and EDM. His one-of-a-kind productions and releases absorb listeners with an unmatched emotional intensity.

DJ Ice in total has accounted up to 300k streams total from his music production INDEPENDENTLY. Which is in the top ranks for upcoming DFW producers. I am currently working on my compilation album “Ice World Pt.1.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some challenges are labels not wanting to develop talent anymore, so therefore they just look at data all the time and not the pure talent. I feel like that is frustrating at times but I and 12 Gage love the independent grind. I made 3k this year of selling beats. 12 Gage, Saycheese, & Rahe ballentine help me do that with promoting me on their platforms. I dont make 12 Gage buy beats because he always promotes me.

What else should we know?
I am known for making beats, DJing, and knowing how to get producers paid all their revenue from different sources. A lot of local producers have money sitting out there and do not know how to get it. I can help them do those things,

I feel like that is what currently sets me apart from the other producers locally, I get paid upfront most of the time and I know how to get my back end as well. Most people need a manager or lawyer to do that cause they do not have knowledge about that. I can help them.

I am most proud of how my 2019 started off for sure. I got placements with these artists below who are currently rising stars on the music scene and blessed they liked my tracks enough to hop on them.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
It sounds crazy, but probably not go to college and use all the time I put into school and football, into developing my sound and discovering an artist.

Pricing:

DJ Bookings – 100/hr
Beats – $250
Artist Consultation – $50

Contact Info:

Website: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dj-ice/161061000
Phone: 6827062903
Email: beatsbydjice@gmail.com
Instagram: @officialdjice
Facebook: Will Boyette

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.