We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DJ CUFF a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi DJ, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Well it’s certainly not easy, but I think as a creative, musician, artists, etc you have to constantly tell yourself that you are literally THE BEST. It’s not necessarily cocky or arrogant, even though you’re touching a very thin line, but along with this mindset you also maintain humble and grounded. This is key because it is so easy to not find worth within your work which is an extension of you and your being so you may lose worth of self in the process. So you have to have to walk on the line of delusion but also meekness. I think it all deals with where I’m from. Baltimore is a competitive city and environment. You’re constantly around individuals who are grinding and hustling to be the best and think they are. I think I followed suit. There’s room for improvement always and there’s DJs and producers I know I haven’t faced yet, but I know my worth and what I bring to the table, that’s what keeps me going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am DJ CUFF from Baltimore, MD. I have a diverse array of sounds I love to play thus transferring into my production as well. With a variety of music and genres I love it is this reason why my brand is named “VarietyPackProductions”. By DJing different music but also sampling soul within a host different genres I’m able to give people what they need, not what they want. Music and sound has been apart of my life since I was literally born. Coming from a musically inclined family full of singers, musicians, and DJs it was only natural that I followed suit to the point as a baby I was banging in pots and pans on beat. At the age of 5 I was taught how to play the drums and got my first set at 8. The skill set I learned through drumming was transitioned into DJing. I was taught how to DJ at 13 by my older cousin and Baltimore’s finest: DJ Solo. I was taught how to blend and scratch on vinyl this immersing me into my love for hip-hop and the culture while also subconsciously exposing me to R&B and Soul through seeing how songs were sampled. But unfortunately, I didn’t see the value in the craft at that age, which was extremely naive of me. Fortunately I finally came to my senses once I got to college. I attended the number #1 public HBCU in the nation: North Carolina A&T State University. It was there I saw a great market to place myself into. So I became a campus and local DJ over my 4 years there. Due to my experience during my time I was able to DJ a host of events that have led me to now. I’m the official DJ for Charm City Slam in Baltimore, MD; the BIGGEST poetry slam event in the NATION. From house parties to festivals is what I like to say my journey has let me to. All of this has transitioned into my new endeavor of music production where I have credits with not only artists but short films as well. It has been a great journey and I’m just getting started.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think one of the most important skill so far in my journey has been my soft skills and authenticity. I’m a true believer in authentic relationships and ways of doing business. Yes, analytics, content, and other virtual strategies help increase clientele and ones network but I am truly old fashion. My best strategy is through in-person promo and marketing. I am a full advocate of talking to folk in-person and to know them in order to get to know me. If you’re running a business you have to come from behind your phone and computer and actually speak to people. An area of knowledge that I’d give to others is that you have to be you, there’s only ONE you so be yourself and let that be an extension in your work because there’s too many folk trying to be someone else. Be INSPIRED, but BE YOU. Lastly, rely on your village and community. I know it’s cliche and hard, but it’s a necessity.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I’ve had my highs and my lows. It’s unfortunate that you must go through different hoops and hurdles within club, event, and DJ culture. I’m in an creative first and at heart, but it’s a business and sometimes the business side can be very shady. In addition, the business and technology piece of being a DJ has made the profession over saturated, so now everyone can be a DJ or producer. This can be a good thing don’t get me wrong. However, it now makes it harder, and not because of completion, but out of trust and a devalued art and market. Owners, promoters, event planners, artists even your family may not want to pay your rates or what you’re worth because they can just find someone else and pay them crumbs because they can and folk will take it thus diluting and devaluing the skill and market. Some folk may not even trust your capabilities ‘cause they see that “everyone can do it so why should I work or collaborate with you?”… but that has made me innovative and places me in the mindset of “I am different and I’m going to show you”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.varietypackproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuffieszn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cuffieSZN
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-KvALanG-lrbskitNdPXAA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cuffieszn
- Other: https://solo.to/cuffieszn
