Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ K.Dimes.
Hi K.Dimes, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Fort Worth but moved to DeSoto my sophomore year of high school. After graduating from DeSoto High I went directly to the Marine Corps where I served on active duty. At my second duty station in New Orleans is where I began my DJ career. My love for music goes back as far as I can remember. My interest for DJ’n began when I saw the movie “Juice” and “Scratch” a Hip Hip DJ Documentary. I literally watched “Scratch” every day one summer until it was no longer available on demand. Unfortunately, at the time I was young and had no way of getting any DJ equipment or even knowing where to begin. Fast forward years later in New Orleans, I was introduced to the party scene, met a DJ, and bought my own equipment. I was instantly in love and became determined to get better and better each day. After about a year and a half of DJ’n, I decided that I would finish my current active-duty contract, at the time, and leave the Marine Corps to DJ full time. During the rest of my time as a Marine I DJ’d anytime and anywhere I could. I also knew that I wanted to go to college as well for the experience and networking so I began do my research on various schools. Initially, I wanted to attend Morehouse College but the universe had other plans. I ended up in Quantico, VA for my last duty station and all signs lead me to THE Howard University. I am currently a rising senior graphic design major, which has helped my launch my brand PASSION, not a hobby. While being a full-time student and brand owner, being a DJ still takes precedence as it is the reason why I am where I am today. I am Howard’s Hottest DJ and also known throughout the DC area where I have worked in several clubs and venues. Some of my latest proud moments have been working with The Recording Academy on their HBCU Love Tour as well as Broccoli City Festival in DC. I’m beginning to get some good notoriety but I’m still so far away from the goals I have set for myself. I will one day become a household name in the industry and work the biggest of names on the biggest of stages.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anything worth having isn’t easy to obtain or keep. Definitely has not been a smooth road at all. Being an active-duty Marine while pursuing a DJ career had its struggles. Being a new DJ alone is tough because you have so much to learn while also proving yourself to promoters, club owners, and others that you are worth hiring. My biggest struggle has been being in one place long enough to build a consistent report. Any time I felt that I was getting to that point it was time for me to move on to another duty station. One top of that being an active-duty Marine your mission comes before anything else as you are under contract. Post Marine Corps I’ve been able to be in DC and going to Howard the past 3 years which has been good for consistency and building my network in the area. However, my freshman year the covid pandemic happened. I was off to the races being one of the popular DJs on campus but that all came to a quick halt as the world shut down. So, it had seemed as if I lost all of my progress I made within a semester and a half. I’ve built back up to a solid point but it’s a continuous grind to prove myself over and over again throughout the city. As a DJ you can absolutely kill an event but it never guarantees you the next job. Having the skills to be a good DJ is one thing but these days your name and following is just important, in some cases more. So now for me navigating how to get the opportunities that will lead to bigger opportunities along with adding more weight to my name is my biggest obstacle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a DJ, a graphic designer, and a brand owner. Without a doubt I am most proud of being a DJ, it is the love of my life. I don’t simply DJ, I give theatrical presentations with music being my main character. I talk to people’s emotions with my hands. I don’t just look to play what’s popular; I look for ways to mix things that no one would ever think of. I love to take risks to where people are either going to love it or hate but I do it so well that people have no choice but to love it. Being that I’ve been so many places my range is extensive. There isn’t any genre that I cannot learn and play if I do not already know it. My adaptability has become one of my biggest strengths. I’ve done various events from the most professional to the most ratchet that you can think of. No matter the city, state, or country I can put on a show anywhere cause a good time is universal. I’m a good time.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
What I think most times what people may think is luck is actually the universe rewarding you for working hard. For example, there have been many times where I’m practicing and accidentally do something which sparks any idea. That idea then becomes something that’s actually great. Also with networking sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time unexpectedly and meet the right people. A perfect example I can give is how I ended up on Broccoli City Festival. I DJ’d with Jae Murphy, who’s a host/DJ that has worked with names such as Beyonce and Diddy, on a Friday night. He loved what I was doing so he invited me to DJ with him at Broccoli City Fest two days later. So overall I feel there will always be credit to be given to luck. Overall I believe that mostly it’s the higher powers giving you what you deserve by putting you in the right positions at the right time for you to take advantage of. What’s for you will not pass you and what you manifest can and will become as long as you work for it
Contact Info:
- Website: www.passionnotahobby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djkdimes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaydee.dimes
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djkdimes
