We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sherik Hodge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sherik below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Sherik with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I learned my work ethic from my brother Jamel, I never realized I had a huge get up and get to it mentality until I got a little older and remembered always watching him as a kid never stop hustling. He never had too much ego or pride to do what he needed to reach a goal. I also have a daughter to provide for, with that came me learning to do what is needed for her. With that said, I had to make sure whatever I am going to be doing I have to LOVE IT; or it won’t work. I couldn’t imagine my life that way.
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 an Open Platform DJ/Host; I specialize in House music; however my roots lie with hip-hop and R&B. I grew up around all genres of music in New York as a kid, listening to Casey Kasem’s top 40 countdown on late-night radio while I would also “Barrow” my brother’s Doo Wop mixtapes. Meanwhile, my other brother Malik was in college making disco mixtapes while running with a crew doing college parties. All over the place, I know, haha.
Once I moved to Atlanta as a teenager, I started doing mobile djing with Malik; I used to practice when he wasn’t home and make my little tapes to give to my friends; he will kill me once he reads this. Lol.
I decided to take on DJing on my own. However, I wanted to focus more on the clubs and production. I’ve always loved house and techno; I used to get laughed at when people would hear me listening to it. So, for some time, I wouldn’t tell people to prevent the stereo-typical “why you like that kind of music.”
Fast forward, I met my mentor, DJ EU, who would later show me how to work through the clubs MCing at various Buckhead clubs. This landed me opportunities to open for him and others.
Now, you never know where I might be, either me and DJ Q going back and forth at Atlanta Wine Fest, I might make an appearance at RockSteady for Energy on Sundays with Toni K, or I may pop up at Candela with EU! You have to keep your eyes open to see where I am at next.
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?
My most significant quality is networking; I’ll talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time if allowed. Some people you instantly gel with and build relationships with, some not so much, but at least I tried.
I also have always been confident to work for free. We all have a bill or two to pay, but I am a little old school with this one; if you have to sweep the studio and run errands for people daily, DO IT! Everybody wants to portray they are the boss but never understand why no one wants to deal with them. There is too much pride.
Support your friends; I’ve built many relationships just by showing up for the homies; this goes back to networking. While supporting my friends, I might start chatting with someone at that event, opening a door for something else.
Do your homework, practice your craft, and learn everything from history to the present.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Over the last few years, one of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced is overthinking and worrying about someone else’s opinion of what I am working on. I’ve spent time working on getting out of that comfort zone. Although it’s not a positive comfort, it’s a mindset that is hard to shake. I mentioned this because I know this is something most people struggle with. We will find a way to talk ourselves out of doing anything we can’t see on the other side. We are all scared of the fear of the unknown; we do not want to display failure to people, some of whom we do not even know!
I have been doing things without thinking, even mistakes, to overcome this fear. Instead, I’d make a public mistake while building my brand rather than not doing anything and never knowing if it was a mistake. Taking chances is complex, but if there is something you are looking to build up who you are, then fear can not be in your language. No one successfully allows fears to stop them from doing or making things happen. I’ve learned to bet on myself this year, and so far, it’s been the best experience I’ve ever seen,
Worrying about someone else view of what or who you are will keep you living a life of regret. Be who you want to be, and let someone judge your success. People are going to assume you regardless of what you do. Me doing this interview is proof of me stepping out of that box. Thanks, Kris! lol
Contact Info:
- Instagram: iamvolare
- SoundCloud: iamvolare
Image Credits
The Cam Killa Captured by Carson DJ Lee
