From the moment a party starts the music there is one of the most talked about topics. Whether the DJ had a good or trash set will determine the outcome of and energy of the event and how the audience feels after. A good DJ is a key to having positivity associated with all of those factors, Trap (26) is one of the DJs that make it happen.
When did you realize you wanted to be a DJ?
Trap: I knew that I wanted to DJ since I started messing around with it way back, but I didn’t really know how that it could be a serious option until I started getting paid for it and seeing the success of some older DJs.
When did you become DJ Trap?
T: When I started to take it seriously a couple of years ago, but I was “Trap” before I was a DJ.
What has your career as a DJ taught you and brought you?
T: It’s taught me that if you invest in yourself, you’ll make that investment back in time. It’s hard to take that bet on yourself, and it’s easy to quit, but I’ve been brought satisfaction knowing that my bills and lifestyle can be supported off of what I love to do.
What is the hardest thing about your job? Why?
T: The consistency. Getting gigs week in and week out. I don’t have any weekly residencies, everything I do I monthly or one-off, so it doesn’t happen often but every now and then I’ll have slow periods where I’m not djing much.
According to Keen, a mutual friend, being at a DJ Trap show is a spontaneous experience.
“There is always something unexpected and something thoughtful that he put into his transitions that provoke movement from everyone in the crowd and even the ones on stage, me included,” he said. “There is a feeling of inclusion as well as an invitation to have a good night you’ll remember for some time or forever.”
Trap has taken his craft on the road branching out of having gigs in Atlanta only. He has been on stage most recently, Rolling Loud Los Angeles, which is now held in high regard for popular rap music today. He also had the chance to take his talents up north to New York as well. With that trip, he found that there is freedom to control the crowd with all kinds of music no matter where you go.
“I don’t take it for granted anytime I go out of town to play a show, so I just try to have fun and do what I do best.”
What is it like getting positive reception outside of your hometown?
T: To get positive reception from out of town, it makes you feel good you know. Let’s you know that there is opportunity out there waiting for you if you make the right moves and build the right relationships with people. I couldn’t go out of town if the trust wasn’t there that I would do what they needed me to do.
When you do shows out of town and like Rolling Loud, what are you gaining from those experiences?
T: Anytime I’ve gone out of town to do a show it’s been a gratifying experience. It makes me feel like what I’m doing is a real thing, something that many others could only dream about doing. Rolling Loud was one of those feelings, looking back not many DJs I know can say they’ve done anything of that magnitude. I don’t take it for granted that I’ve been fortunate to do these things. I owe a lot of that to the relationships I have with various people all over the country. People that have vouched for me and given me a chance to display what I can do.
Which songs are you playing the most now, in your life and in your work?
T: Right now, I’ve been listening to a few different artists, Santi, Odunsi, Baby Keem, Pi’erre Bourne, Sonder, Brent Faiyaz, and the list goes on and on. I’m always looking for new songs, new things to add to my Serato. In New York I heard this song Big Drip by Fivio Foreign that I really liked, so I’ll try to test that out down here see how it goes.
What is your proudest moment?
T: My proudest moment has to be the first anniversary of my monthly party Atelier. Everyone doesn’t make it to a year, and for people to make it out month after month for a year straight means a lot to me.
“Sometimes when you’re in the moment you don’t realize how special or crazy something is, then you look back and realize it was actually a big deal.”
Since Atlanta’s shelter in place order put in effect in early April, it has not only changed the way that we all are currently living, but it has changed the way that Trap can do what he loves. Adapting to such a new and sudden occurrence is something that Trap has dealt with in great ease. Since he is unable to do live DJ sets and performances, he has made the change to do live streaming of his sets every Tuesday on the Player99 website. With each mix and set Trap learns the lesson of the importance of persistence. “The most important thing I’ve adhered to is to do it right,” he said. “You can’t cheat the game, you’ll be exposed.”
What does the shelter in place order mean for you and your work?
T: It’s looking extremely slow for DJ work outside of what I decide to do on my own. Until everything is relatively calm, I will be in the house.
When was the first time you learned that you weren’t going to be able to do any events for the time being?
T: I got home from a day party and saw how severe everything was getting, that’s when I started to think about what I should move to do next.
Did that affect the way you were going to use this time? How?
T: Yeah, I was supposed to be traveling a lot this year.
How are you making this time work for you?
T: Just by being present, taking it a day at a time, and relaxing. I’m positive things won’t be this way forever, and any issues that arise I will deal with as they pop up.
How do you stay inspired during this time?
T: Just by looking at my peers and what all they have going on.
If you were able to spin right now, which song would get the most play?
T: Most play? Probably ‘Time Flies’ by Drake. The song I really want to play though is ‘Drive’ by Fivio Foreign or ‘Nasty Girl/On Camera’ by Gunna.
How do you want to come out of this time?
T: Just more well-rounded, more focused, and sharper as a person.
At this time, Trap is not only trying to perfect his craft in music, but he is also trying to getter better with graphic design, investing some more of his time into doing some music production, and staying sharp with his skills as a DJ. So far in his career, he has made some great strides and continues to do so with his adaptation to today’s times and has been able to learn the lesson of persistence and patience. All of these skills are needed to get better in his musical and design careers.
“You can’t cheat the game, you’ll be exposed.”
What else do you want to do with music?
T: Currently teaching myself how to produce right now. It’s a pretty nice feeling to drop an exclusive track that you made in a party. If I have it my way, I’d like the music to take me all over the world.
What are you anticipating most in your career?
T: I anticipate being able to DJ full time without worries about money, being able to take care of all my needs just off the strength of my passion, I can already kind of do it now, but I know with time it can be even more.
Who are some people that inspire you to keep going?
T: Couple people inspire me. My friend Ephraim, my family, my Player 99 team. These are the people I care about most, the ones who support me and challenge me to be the best version of myself. I also look to my friends spinning across the country, guys like Sir Crooks, J Smith, gohomeroger, and Canterbury Tales. It’s so many talented guys I consider peers and know I need to be on my A-game for. Shout out to my Overtime family out in LA too!
What relationships have you gained from your work?
T: Djing has got me into some pretty cool places and positions. Different venue owners will work with me at a discount, people will often bring me in as their go-to DJ. I’ve done events for different boutiques and brands, gotten some free shoes and gear here and there as well.
What is next for you?
T: Just producing, working on remixing songs, flipping songs, and making my own songs as well. I’ve gotten back into photography, been documenting my day to day life.
Trap is working his ass off. All of the changes and the accomplishments that he has made in his short career is nothing but impressive. It is only going up from there. His stop in New York, he got to play at Rolling Loud L.A., and he got to spin for the Grammy weekend, the best is yet to come. Once we’re outside and you see Trap, don’t be shy, don’t stand on the wall, don’t be afraid to make sum shake because Trap will have the next event going up.
Keep up with Trap on his Soundcloud, Twitter, and Instagram.