Meet Rayvon Burrwell | DJ/Event Curator

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

Hi Rayvon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I just wanted to Have FUN forever!!!! I wanted to do something that I was passionate about, so that way, the work would feel justified & I’d be motivated. A while ago, I heard a saying that went “If love the work, and focus on doing that really well instead of the money or validation, that they would both eventually appear. And if they didn’t you’d still be somewhat content with yourself.” There’s some truth there, But Also, I just couldn’t picture myself living a life that doesn’t involve being in creation. My expression of that is marketing, branding, and music.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a DJ for almost 20 years. I started off being booked for gigs, but once you become obsessed with the work, you end up in different rooms that correlate with the business that you’re in & naturally, your interests broaden. What was first for me, was throwing my own parties. And when you step into that space, you quickly learn that you’re actually in marketing. So, you start with a cool theme, then you make a flyer (sidebar: listen to this part of the conversation with 2003 ears), and you pass it out to people who look like people you’d want to hang around. Then, you start thinking about the songs that you want to play & how you want the lights to look in the room. Oh! Don’t forget- you need a guy to take pictures so you can recap the party & make those who missed out, jealous enough to never want to miss another party again. etc. etc.

After years of fine tuning that nightlife recipe (and industry terminology advancing), I had realized that I was actually a vibe curator and a brand manager. More big words to boost the resume, LOL. I take pride in taking care of people, making sure that the atmosphere is consistent with the promise that I made to people. That’s essentially all that matters, here. Keeping promises. In life, really.

I’m a damn good DJ & entertainer before anything else. I started doing high school house parties. Then, college events when I Went to school. My peers became my first audiences and supporters. Fast forward, I get a job at the hottest radio station in my city, So now, those 500 people that I was entertaining, turned into a couple hundred thousand on the airwaves.
then in 2012, I started touring with the young pop sensation Austin Mahone. I got to give my gift to the world. All while constantly doing things to grow my name. Handing out stickers on the road, hosting the meet and greets, etc.

When that ended, the term “branding” started getting louder. I ended up going to school in NYC and getting my master’s degree in Branding + Integrated Communications. I was still DJing & throwing parties. So, my plan wasn’t necessarily to go and “get a real job.” I wanted to take that complex learning & apply it to my life and what I was already building through event curation.

It’s been a journey, to say the least. If I had to leave anybody reading this with something, I’d say to be risky, give yourself a break, and enjoy the ride. That last statement is always easier said, than done. Everybody’s got some wild ass turns in their stories, though. That’s what makes it GOOD!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Right now, I’m in VA. I spend most of my time in Richmond (The capital city) and Hampton Roads (aka, the place where Pharrell is from). If we had a week, We’d absolutely have to hit the Oceanfront and eat on the strip somewhere. For nostalgic purposes, only. Norfolk is a big deal. There’s tons of dope black owned restaurants on Granby St (Canvas, Culture, Cork & Company, Brothers), etc.). We’d definitely have to eat at Feather-N-Fin. a Norfolk Staple. We’d probably go shopping. There’s The Locker Room, Xchange, Creme321- All dope spots for street fashion. Hey Ma! is a dope event that I’m a part of. All R&B. All Love. All night. We’d definitely do that.

We’d have to make time to shoot up to 804. The fashion scene is dope. Round Two started in Richmond. But, we’d hit Rotate, Chilalay, and a few other spots. There’s too much great food to eat in Richmond. Way too many restaurants to eat at. Richmond is a town where you follow the DJs more than the nightlife establishments. Aces Sports lounge and Cities Bar are dope urban nightlife spots to hit. But there’s so many scenes. Vagabond is dope, too. All black owned spots, by the way. But if In not playing or throwing anything, We’d go hang out with DJ Lonnie B or Markus Gold. There’s two really big music lover events that Happen in the city. The Art of Noise & Two Triple Oh! The best of the early 2000s (mine). We’d do one of those things.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout out is dedicated to my parents. As a kid, they encouraged me to do all kinds of activities. Basketball to Ballet. I hated some things and loved others. In retrospect, they were broadening my perspective- putting me in environments where I would learn how to be, as I grew and experienced the world on my own. They were diversifying my pallet. Which is one of the things that I’m most proud of about myself- my ability to interact on different levels and appreciate new things. I’m still inquisitive. Still ready to learn. Still excited about life. All because of the foundation they laid for me.

Website: PartyWithRayvon.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/DJRayvon_

Twitter: Twitter.com/DJRayvon_

Facebook: Deejay Rayvon

Other: Soundcloud.com/PartyWithRayvon TwoTripleOh.com

Image Credits
Instagram.com/illgenic