Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Williams
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always loved music. Started dancing as a kid but I was a terrible dancer. I used to love listening to the radio during the 5pm “drive at 5” or on the holidays when radio stations did the Holiday mixes. The way that Djs mix songs together has always intrigued me. I found a program online called Virtual Dj and I would spend hours after work listening to music, downloading music, and then working on mixing them on my computer. I started doing house parties with my friends and became pretty good using what I had. I eventually started making mixtapes and passing them out at different places. I met a guy that worked with a radio station here in Memphis and he really liked my mix style. We started doing shows and events. I started off working with a desktop computer. Imagine your dj pulling up with a desktop computer. That was me. I was eventually able to save enough money to purchase my first laptop and a dj controller.
I started Djing in 2004 and I went by the name of Dj Mike Dubbya. From 2004 til about 2011 I dj’d all over the city. Up until that time I had mainly been a hip hip/r&b Dj. I was very Memphis but was able to add a different flavor that many of my contemporaries didn’t offer. My love for music wasn’t just for Hip Hop. There are so many other genres of music. I mix all of them. This allowed me to work any type of event/party and I used that to my advantage to work with all ethnicities.
In 2010 I got married. In 2012 I decided I needed to make a change. I changed my name to Dj316 and from 2012 until 2014 I only did Christian Music. Around 2016 , when I felt like I was mentally and spiritually mature enough, I started back accepting bookings for weddings and other events. In 2017 I won my first Dj award. In 2019 I was booked for the first time outside the city.
I officially rebranded as Dj316 Weddings, Events, and Karaoke in 2021 and have enjoyed bookings all over and working with may different ethnicities of people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been but every struggle has been worth it to get me to where I am. One of the first struggles that had has been that I wasn’t always accepted by certain Djs because I always used a Dj controller. I did not start on turntables like a lot of the people I looked up to did. Many times I would go into a venue and some of the older Djs would scoff at me because I didn’t come up the way they did.
I have learned that your audience does not care what equipment you use. What is important is your ear for music and knowing how and when to play a song.
Early in my career, being young and in clubs multiple times per week began to get the best of me. After I got married I took a step back and allowed myself to mature before I was ready to get back to working in certain enviroments.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a Dj I aim to provide the the most amazing and professional experience possible. Dj316 Weddings, Events, and Karaoke provides Dj and Karaoke services on any scale. What sets us apart is the ability to entertain any age group. I have many years of experience with preschool through HS events where keeping the music clean and appropriate is very important to my clients. I have worked with large companies that want to provide music and entertainment for their employees but also want to keep it kid appropriate for the families that are in attendance as well. Then of course there are parties that want to let loose and the only appropriate music is party music.
I specialize in being able to read a crowd and know what type of music will get them to moving their feet, bobbing their heads, or even singing along. As Dj’s we have access to millions of songs at a time but not all parties are the same. Having a knowlege of music and knowing what to play and when to play it is what makes a good Dj a great Dj.
I am known for being an outstanding curator of music. In addition, mixing songs in a way that most Djs can’t and doing this all while keeping the party flowing is a talent some Djs just do not get. We see a lot of djs mixing songs online but many of them have taken the time do practice and redo their videos and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a different thing to do it live in midst of a set.
I am proud of my brand because DJ316 doesn’t just represent Dj316. I could have changed my name again but wherever I go and when you see my name I want you to think of John 3:16 and what it means. Jesus as my lord and savior came to be a light for the world. Whenever someone asks about my name whether it be at a club or at a church they have a chance to know about John 3:16 and how they are affected by it. I bring joy to people through music and I love every minute of it, but I also stand for something greater. There is a standard that I uphold because of who I represent.
When I am booked for a gig, I give my all. I keep it professional and make sure that everything that I bring to the table is top notch. I go above and beyond to create the best possible experience for my clients. A lot of my gigs are either clients that I have had before or referrals from people that have used my services in the past.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For Dj’s who are just starting out, do not think that you have to have the most expensive equipment to start. You have to first have a love for music because you will hear a lot of it. Some of it you will like and some of it you will not but you will appreciate all that you hear because it is music. Listen to other Djs. Emulate what they do. My style came from watching and listening to other Djs. I sometimes search for other Djs just to get song and mix inspirations. Never stop learning.
As a Dj starting out, you have to find something that sets you apart. Develop your own style and figure out a way to tailor it to your region. I wish I knew about social media and how much it can help your business. Having a social media presence is important if you want to do business outside of your city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dj316mix.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Dj316mix
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/Dj316mix1
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/Dj316mix
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dj316mix
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dj316mix
