Meet De’Arion “DJ SaucyD” Wafer

Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Arion Wafer.

So, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Something clicked in my head one day as I was making a personal playlist and I told myself “I want to be a DJ.” I grew up watching my father DJ events and practice every night and it did not dawn on me that I wanted to do the same thing until I was 19 years old. For my 20th birthday in May I told my father I wanted a DJ controller and I went from there. I immediately began to practice mixing techniques and got coaching from my father. You could say I was a shy bedroom DJ for awhile. I didn’t break out to DJ for a crowd until late June or early July. One of my first gigs was for my family reunion and I got so many compliments. I was going all day mixing so many genres of music and had so much fun doing it. It just motivated me to keep going because not only was my family super supportive, but that was the day I realized I possessed a skill I need to tap more into; that’s exactly what I did.

I immediately ordered business cards and practiced at home every chance I got, I thought I would have a hard time getting gigs, but it was the exact opposite. Gigs kept piling up and they still are! I got where I am today by support and execution. I received a huge amount of support the day I announced my business and from that day forward I executed every idea I had when it came to music and being a DJ for events. I genuinely love what I do. Being able to control a crowd with music is an amazing feeling.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes and no so, I’ll start off with what’s not so smooth about becoming a DJ. While trying to pursue my DJ career, I had to prepare myself for a lot of things: costly equipment, song transitioning, crowd control, establishing my brand, and mobility. When it comes down to equipment it’s quite obvious nothing is cheap. I had to make sure I had all my own things to assure I was prepared for events and gigs. Having the best equipment is essential such as, high-end speakers, a controller (of your preference), a laptop, a hard drive to hold all mp3 files, XLR cables, a microphone, lights, etc. The list goes on because there is always an upgrade needed when more skill is gained.

Being a DJ is more than just shuffling a playlist. I have to keep the energy in the room with mixing and good transitions. There are mishaps when transitioning. Which is why I am always listening to music and paying attention to tempo range which is measured according to BPM. One wrong transition could kill the vibe of the crowd. It was a challenge at first, but I had to learn how to scope the crowd and know what to play throughout the night. It’s a skill to gain that takes practice and time, but I have mastered it.

Another obstacle of mine was establishing my brand. Although I did receive a huge amount of support when I announced I was a DJ, but it was hard gaining a huge following and getting my name around Dallas. I had to find my way around that on my own. So, I attended creative meetups, attended more parties than I can count, and most importantly concerts. At these events, I network with other DJs, producers, and event planners and hand them my business cards. That was my first step but, social media is really where the power is.

Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Soundcloud, and other social platforms need to be updated frequently. Obviously, as a DJ it’s about your talent, but to gain and uphold a reputation, it’s more about cultivating fans through social media. If I am working an event, of course, people are going to come out. My fans that have been established and are already in my following don’t always have to be around, it’ s about gaining more fans and supporters at every new gig I get.

What made things a whole lot smoother was having a car and being able to travel around for my gigs. I didn’t limit myself to only gigs in Dallas or close to me. I’ll travel all over and not complain because I love it that much. The struggles of being a DJ are only temporary. It’s all about trial and error and once I learned from my mistakes and how to maneuver the business things got a whole lot easier.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I go by the name “DJ SaucyD.” I’m getting noticed for my mixing skills and love for music and that brings me joy because it’s my passion. I am most proud of starting this business on my own and how quickly it took off. It took me by surprise that it got this far so quickly, but I executed my idea of being a DJ as soon as I thought about it. What sets me apart from others is me knowing my place and the passion I hold for the music scene. What I mean by knowing my place is that I stay in my own lane. I have created a lane for myself that will go far as long as I stay consistent, patient, and know that hard work beats talent any day because if talent doesn’t work hard, there will be no results. I know that I separate myself from others because I desire to be the star in my own position.

My passion for the music scene goes far! I am an avid concert-goer, vinyl and CD collector,and I am always researching other producers and DJs for inspiration. I have been to at least 13 shows in the past year and that’s not including festivals. I plan to travel to the biggest festivals this year and attend more concerts here in Dallas. Going to these shows and witnessing these artists keeps me motivated to keep my business running and to always live life to the fullest.

I desire to take this business further than just getting a gig here and there. I want to make a name for myself and put others on that hold the same passion as I do. I dream of doing the best DJ sets, touring the world, working with artists, and creating my own legacy.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Instead of going based on luck, I like to say blessings have played a big factor in my life and business. Faith, hard work, and consistency are what get me everything I need with no worries. I am a big believer in what you put out, always comes back to you. I am so blessed because I desire to do right by others, I desire to stay consistent, and I desire to be successful. This ultimately gives me the support I need, a thriving business, and a name that’ll soon be known all across Dallas. I keep God first and I keep my family/support system close. Without them, I don’t know where I would be.

Pricing:

• Events: $75/hr.
• Parties/Small Gatherings: $50/hr.
• Wedding Receptions: Pricing starts at $300 for full reception

Contact Info:

• Phone: 214-779-2962
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj.saucyd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dearion.wafer.9
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/djsaucyd?lang=en

Image Credit:
Photo Credits: Christopher Rodriguez

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