Are you the Talk Of Orlando?

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DJ LYVWYR

DJ

ARE YOU THE

by Kris Kinville of Talkoforlando.com

Lyvwyr

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ailing from Trinidad & Brooklyn NY, the “Talk of Orlando” this week is DJ Lyvwyr. He has been making crowds move in the O for about 4 years now, with a talent for analyzing and providing just what the crowd needs to keep moving…

When/How did you get started in DJ’Ing? I’ve been interested in DJ’ing since I was 14. I learned from my older cousin Keith Campbell, a Reggae DJ. I carried his crates, cleaned his equipment in exchange for learning how to DJ. The Reggae genre doesn’t have a lot of cutting & scratching in it so that I learned that on my own with practice. One of my favorite DJ s was DJ Red Alert on 98.7 Kiss FM. I used to tape him every week to learn. When I got on the turntables, I learned by mimicking what he did by ear. My first real time DJ’ing was when I was in the Army & stationed in Hawaii.

My first sergeant heard me mixing in the barracks & asked me to DJ at the NCO club. I DJ’d there with DJ Sean Steady & DJ Scientific. I have always been good friends with DJ M-Squared, so when I came back to Orlando in 2004 he encouraged me to pursue my talent.

He mentored me & introduced me to the Orlando scene.

I also have worked for Frontline Promotions since 2008 when I was first introduced, spontaneously, during Classic Weekend! (Laughs)

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| www.flyerpromonow.com

Where did the name DJ Lyvwyr come from?

My island peoples used to call me “wire” because I was so slim. I just added the “live” to it. I wanted it to be different & to be recognized, not traditional. So I decided to spell it phonetically like a license plate! (Grins)

How do you keep yourself fresh to compete with the large market you’re in?

Honestly I have a “no-hating” rule. Jealously & envy just get in the way of your focus. Always show love no matter what you do. I show DJ’s in the O love – I go out to check them out & see what they are doing. I learn from them. The more people you treat the way you want to be treated, the more others will show love. The DJ’s in Orlando have a lot of talent.

I don’t look at them as competition. I think of it as a “brotherhood”. Only a DJ is going to truly know how a DJ feels. We have to stick together & support each other’s hustle. The more you support your equals the less competition you will have.

Do you have any special preparations for an event?

I don’t listen to music the day of an event. I want my mind clear & to be ready to come off the cuff, a fresh blank slate. When I listen to music ahead of time it kind of throws me off my set. The day after I will listen to music to see what I can add to my sets later, but never the day of.

Has your DJ’ing led to travel?

Any favorite places?

Atlanta, GA - 2 events – Club D’Jango, a 3 level club that played several genre’s & Apache Café similar to the AKA lounge. They would have eclectic events like underground hip hop & spoken word. I spun in Jacksonville at City Hall Pub with DJ Stylez (about 6mnths) & the Soul Food Festival where I got to rock with Chaka Khan, Jodey Whatley, Tito Jackson, Toni Tony Tone and Tevin Cambell. It was one of the biggest things I have ever done & it was a great honor. Thousands of people were moving to my music from all over FL, from Jacksonville to Miami.

What would you recommend to up & coming DJ’s?

podamatic.com – it plays my mixes 24/7 – it’s a series called “I love the 90’s”. I’m also excited about appearing on RadioSmash, and then UrbanMe.com 1x’s a month. I also participate in Producing – creating beats & tracks, engineering, mixing, “I do all that”. Wow, now that I just listed it, DAMN I’m BUSY! (Laughing)

Shout Outs?

My Street Noize Family – Marlon Holloway, SureWil AKA LeChon, DJ M-Squared & Tek the Intern. My partner in crime @ Trois - DJ Official.

Frontline Promotions & TalkofOrlando.com.

DJ Pointblanc and all the other Orlando DJ’s. Let’s get it in! My manager, Tahir. My boy Vintage. My cousin DJ Merc. I also want to add a R.I.P to my cousin Sharon who supported me since the first day I touched a turntable. You’ll be missed. And all my followers & fans that show me love - I spin for you!

CONTACT DJ Lyvwyr on fb djlyvwyr.com streetnoizeent@gmail.com Pictures Provided by LeChon Wilson

Put yourself in situations where you can network & meet people in the business.

If your focus is getting in the industry go to the clubs & get to know the people that are already doing it. Get to know the club owners, event planners, promoters & other DJ’s. Always show respect to those that you do meet. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to take your talent seriously. When you go out to network – do the work. Be respectful, articulate, and professional. Preparation is key! Bring your mix tapes & business cards when networking.

If you treat it like a business you’re going to get business results. And of course practice every opportunity that you get. Due Diligence will get you everywhere.

Where can Orlando hear you spin?

Most recently I have spun at “Sunday Funday” @ Sky60 downtown. Also every week our Radioshow Street Noize is on 91.5 WPRK which was started with Marlon Holloway in 2005, DJ M-Squared joined us 2008. I also spin at Recess Happy Hour @ Rain on Fridays. I spin every 3rd Monday @ Tessa. I also have Pod Casts – www.flyerpromonow.com

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