HOW ONE MAN IS CURATING HIS OWN NETWORK WITHIN JERSEY CLUB CULTURE
By: Ebony Anderson-Brown
DJ FADE IS THE FUTURE
Written
& edited by Ebony
Anderson-Brown
Dior Davis
Photography by
Like those before him, DJ Fade “The Future” is evolving the Jersey Club culture. Everyone adds some type of value when they believe that they can make a difference, whether it be for a community or a sound that’s been establishing itself over the past couple of decades with the help of pioneers such as DJ Tameil, Tim Dolla, DJ Jayhood, DJ Sliink, Nadus, DJ R3LL, Mike Gip, UNIIQU3, MikeQ; there’s honestly too many to name because every time someone picked up a computer, they were able to incorporate their own personal style, or flair, making it something completely unique to the them, and so now we’re seeing another group of artists helping to pave a path for this genre and culture to become much bigger than it already is.
DJ Fade is a part of that next generation of artists who’s shaking things up, building connections with people in the music industry, and always reppin’ the culture.
Whether it’s doing the sexy walk in the middle of a party or behind the DJ booth playing classic Jersey Club bangers, DJ Fade is gonna do it!
DJ Fade, born Brandon Metz, is from North New Jersey. Jokingly says he was there from the birth of Jersey Club, but what he actually means is the era before we had digital marketing or social media. He remembers when there were street team parties and when it was called Brick City Club music. In recent years, Jersey Club has been experiencing a golden age where every person and industry is trying to get their moment in the space too–but not all of it will hit the mark.
DJ Fade says, “that’s what really drove me as a producer, because first, I was just a DJ. I didn’t produce at all until– “these club songs are getting on Hot97 and it’s just [mimics Jersey club kick patterns] and a vocal. I can do that!” So I had the perseverance and self-discipline to teach myself and I was a producer from that point on. I always made a vow to really make music to let people dance. Let people express themselves through movement and body language. And till this day, a lot of my dance records are literally infectious, it makes you want to dance, to that upbeat, that infectious sound. I always want to stay true to that and my roots with Jersey.”
For years, DJ Fade has been mashing up different genres to Jersey Club edits. His dancehall and reggae remixes were arguably the best, and part of it has to do with his growing up in a Jamaican household. Recently, DJ Fade has been dabbling in creating amapiano and arabic edits mainly due to his residency at the renowned–
New York City venue, Pergola, where he has solidified his position as a premier entertainer.
DJ Fade shares, “the most trendy hookah spot in Manhattan. People like Rihanna, Drake, Bad Bunny, Raul–anybody and everybody goes there in the city. To be a resident DJ there for over two years going strong, building my connections, perfecting my craft, because literally every type of background comes into that spot. Arabic, Turkish, African, Jamaican, you name it. And they come to me with certain requests…and when they show me these songs, I do even more research to see what would match that. Because as a DJ you can’t just play one song and you see a crowd of Africans that’ll be satisfied, you kinda gotta stay a little bit in that bag. If you don’t do your job as a DJ and research, sometimes on the spot, literally downloading songs. That’s why I love the laptop, because I’m able to have that control in the moment.”
In addition to DJing, DJ Fade is also a seasoned event curator. There aren’t too many DJs who can successfully curate a party time and time again, but DJ Fade has with “A Jersey Club Party.” When you attend A Jersey Club Party, all you’re going to hear is Jersey Club music, people forming around multiple dance circles, and musical performances from Jersey artists in their prime time. The attendees there are genuinely excited to be at the party and to see one another.
“It’s a blessing alone to be on this platform, I could wake up anytime I want but I chose to get up at 4am, I’m hitting the gym, I’m reading books, I’m doing the work, even though I have the privilege to do that I’m still working as if though I don’t have a choice.”
“You have to dedicate your entire life to this to get the results you want.”
