Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Owoyele.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Robert. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always had a passion for music. I grew up listening to traditional West African music, Southern Hip-Hop, & Pop so I’ve always had a very eclectic musical ear. I eventually played the trumpet for my school for a few years as well as the conga in an African church choir. It was the perfect blend of formal music training & unconventional rhythmic training that taught me the importance of both the technical & emotional side of music. Throughout high school, I was considered the go-to person if you wanted a mix CD or new music on your iPod. I had a knack for staying up-to-date with the latest music. It went to the extent of me controlling the iPod at parties before anyone could afford an actual DJ. I graduated from high school & went to Bucknell University. While at Bucknell, I came across a live recorded mix from DJ Mr. Rogers during my sophomore year. At the time, he did Monday nights at a spot called Aztecas and that mix changed my life. I listened to that mix EVERY SINGLE DAY! At that point, I knew that I wanted to learn how to DJ. I ended up purchasing some cheap equipment & the journey began.
From that moment on, it was non-stop practicing & perfecting my craft. That passion for music grew into a love for the art form that is deejaying. I haven’t taken my foot off the gas ever since and have gone from Bucknell to Washington D.C. to now co-existing between Dallas & D.C.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth is probably the complete opposite of what the journey was. I didn’t have the luxury of a mentor or peers to teach me things. Things that someone could have taught me in 3 minutes took me two weeks to figure out on my own. YouTube wasn’t what it is now. There weren’t tutorials you could watch so I spent every single day figuring things out. I purchased terrible equipment, the wrong software, and went to a school that had me out of my comfort zone in every possible way. Going from the South to rural central Pennsylvania was a culture shock in addition to attending a PWI that only had 104 black students at the time. The music I grew accustomed to listening wasn’t consumed by a majority of the campus.
When I finally figured out how to mix two songs together without it sounding like a train wreck, I had to then learn new genres of music like EDM if I ever wanted to actually DJ outside of my bedroom. Parties with music I genuinely loved rarely happened. However, this would later prove to be one of the best things that could have happened. After Bucknell, I moved to Washington D.C. & only knew one person in the area. I was a 21-year-old kid in a brand new city, by myself, trying to figure out life & find a way to DJ in a city known for its DJs/partying. I remember going out to clubs to network with promoters & staying out until 3am despite the fact I have to be at work at 7:30am the following morning. The struggles were endless! However, that journey keeps me humble & hungry!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My name explains it all! I go by the name of DJ NiteCrawler & I specialize in creating memorable music experiences. I consider myself the perfect blend of turntablist, party rocker, eclectic music selecta, & MC. I’m known for creative transitions, sharp scratches, & playing songs you would: 1. never expect to hear 2. didn’t realize you wanted to hear. I believe that music is something you feel, not just hear. I take pride in helping people FEEL music at an event. I believe what truly sets me apart from others is the ability to do it all as a DJ. Many DJs play a very specific type of music in a specific type of setting. You can place me in front of any crowd no matter the age, ethnicity, or venue & I will show out. From country to trap, kidz bop to gospel, I consume & can play it all. I’m most proud of the fact that I am living out my dream every single day. It is truly a blessing to be able to do something that you love & be recognized for that. DJing has opened doors & taken me places I never would have imagined.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I definitely believe that Dallas is an amazing place for a DJ. Anyone who is from DFW or Texas, in general, knows that we like to dance & drink. A city like that is heaven for a DJ. Dallas is also finally starting to be recognized on a wide scale for its creatives. For anyone starting out, I would tell them to learn & study the history of DJing. Don’t just pick up a laptop without looking back on how far things have come. I would also tell them to get out of their comfort zone and listen to music they don’t usually consume. It will only make them a better well-rounded DJ. I would also tell them to create opportunities for themselves instead of waiting for them. There is power in ownership and that applies to DJs as well. If you aren’t getting booked, learn the business side of the nightlife industry & begin to create your own events to create exposure/build your own audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djnitecrawler.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djnitecrawler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJNiteCrawler/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djnitecrawler
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/djnitecrawler
Image Credit:
LNJ Designs Photo; Toast PT
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