Meet Jayvon | Music Producer & DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayvon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayvon, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Due to the advances in DJ technology, many people assume that it’s extremely easy to DJ now. I will admit this can be true but it really depends on how involved in the art-craft of compiling and mixing music. Yes, any influencer, celebrity, and hottie can buy a laptop, controller, usb drive and play the hottest tracks, but some of us truly live this 24/7. Most patrons are unaware of having to dedicate entire days out of the week to go through new and old music, find what you like and then edit and catalogue it. I prefer to go even further by producing and engineering my own personal edits of party classics that I play out at gigs. I love to sprinkle in songs from multiple genres from the 70s, 80s, and 90s but sometimes they might need a mixable intro and some more bass or punch to fit alongside today’s high definition modern tracks. It’s really up to the DJ how far they want to take it. Some of us are “all-in”, while some view it as another identity hat and income stream (which is totally fine). But many patrons see us behind a bunch of glowing lights and buttons and think “hmm that looks easy. Just pushing some buttons!” Well it can be easy if you want to just playlist it out, but I have wanted to do this since childhood. So I dedicate a lot of thought, effort and pride into what I do. I approach spinning Pop music in the same way I approach spinning Jungle/D&B or House Music. It’s going to be done flawlessly, intensely and completely engaging. Thankfully, I have noticed that slowly more and more club patrons are starting to recognize skilled DJs again. If you happen to come upon that  experience, then just know we are completely dialed-in, detailed and borderline obsessive when it comes to what we do and there is much preparation involved. My wife, Aya Mac, is a music and event photographer, and we always joke about how most assume that actively taking photos or DJing is the “work part” when the reality is that the work starts before the gig and continues long after it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a Music Producer and DJ I like to consider myself a chameleon. I fit in everywhere and nowhere all at once. When I was younger it was quite mentally challenging to not feel like I fit in anywhere, but now I view it as an advantage. I was black kid born and raised in the small beach town of Santa Barbara. While in college in Atlanta, I cut my DJ teeth in the music scene during the ascendance of the South’s Hip-Hop takeover and also won Jermaine Dupri’s SoSo Def “World’s Greatest DJ” Competition beating out Ludacris’ DJ. From Atlanta I went back to Santa Barbara worked at an Indie Record store and made friends with people who were into Punk, Metal, and Alternative. While at the shop I got into ordering and spinning Jungle (Drum & Bass) music and going to raves which eventually led to me moving to Los Angeles and working for an electronic dance music vinyl distribution company, ordering and writing up reviews for new Jungle/D&B records. And now here I am with all this musical knowledge and skill spanning across several eras and genres yet still looking like I am in my late twenties haha! I have become comfortable with being an outsider and refuse to be put in a box. Being different is what makes life interesting, yet so many of us spend so much energy trying to be something else. Career wise, one of the most exciting moments so far, was officially remixing the singer Khalid’s #1 song “Better”, getting to fuse the genres of R&B, Tech-House, and Funk into one song. Then a few months later finding out that the DJ/Producer Diplo had played it often on his BBC and Sirius XM radio shows (shoutout to Khalid’s A&R Tunji Balogun!). One of the biggest lesson I have gained during this musical journey is, being a creative entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. It is a path filled with doubt and rejection. Not only do you have to deal with maintaining your mental health, your own self-doubt, and doubt from “the haters”, but you must also contend with doubt from loved ones who have your best interests at heart. My advice to anyone starting out in any creative endeavor is that faith in yourself, a pinch of pragmatism and an intense passion for your art will keep you going through all the obstacles and rejection to come (and oh boy will it come). Secondly, surround yourself with people who want to help elevate and expand your art while keeping you grounded. These friends, associates, mentors etc., will be there to hold you accountable and pick you up when you are down. As creatives we must constantly remind ourselves that we are all unique and have something special to conjure from the ether! Nobody knows what you are capable of until you put it into existence. So get out there and show ’em wassup!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever friends come to Los Angeles to visit I try to make sure they get a taste of all the things you don’t see in the movies. Unfortunately due to reality TV and Hollywood, our city has a reputation for being vapid and materialistic but it is soooo much more than that. One of my new favorite spots to take people to eat is the new Mexican restaurant located in Venice called Nueva (Nueva also shares the same building with The Little Friend where I have one of my weekly DJ residencies). Nueva has amazing food, cocktails, service staff and ambience (Shoutout to Jared Meisler and The Reiss Co!). I highly recommend the Octopus Tacos, Chicken Tinga Tacos with pickled apples, and the Cast Iron Pancake with Mezcal infused syrup! Next up is a trip Downtown to check out The Broad Museum’s fantastic architecture and collection of diverse art. I am particularly fond of the Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons and Keith Haring artworks. After that is a drive through Skid Row so people can see that there is a huge humanitarian crisis of homelessness that we must do something about! It’s not just an L.A. problem but one that is particular to the wealthy United States. From there my new fave drinking spots is the apothecary themed Apotheke, managed by curator, DJ and good friend Dan Mancini. They have a spectacular “medicinal” cocktail menu prepared by some of LA’s best mixologists, carefully selected music, DJs and an award winning interior design. My favorite drink there is the Forlorn Dragon. After that is a night time drive through Downtown LA, which gains a magical Cinderella quality to it under the city lights. It’s a big reason why Nicolas Refn’s “Drive” is one of my most watched movies.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my beloved cousin, Patrick Stewart. I have a large extended southern-style family so the age differences and family titles can be confusing to outsiders haha. Patrick is my older 2nd cousin, but he is like a big brother to me. Choosing a path and career in a creative field, especially music, can be full of challenges. More often than not, it is family who test the resolve of artists. Patrick is the Executive Director of Development at Univ. of Miami, and he has been a beacon of faith, reassurance and wisdom from the very beginning of my music career. I truly value his insights on business, life, love, and philosophy. He and his wife Mia, recently launched a clothing line called Artistry & Fortitude. They surprised me not too long ago by putting my name on one of their shirt designs with a bunch of other legendary DJs. Now if that isn’t support I don’t know what is! Last but not least, he has excellent taste in music and is always sending me Youtube videos saying, “Don’t sleep on this! Catch up haha!” Love you Patrick! Keep shining.

Website: www.jayvonmusique.com

Instagram: @jayvonbeatz

Twitter: @jayvonbeatz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayvonbeatz

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Jayvonbeatz

Image Credits
Aya Mac