Life & Work with Dmitre ” DJ Chosen” Aaron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dmitre Aaron. 

Hi Dmitre, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born in a small town of Fremont, Ohio I get my character from by older brothers who were drummers, and my musical culture guru mother who’s the real DJ of our family. From a young age, I always knew I was different, not better but different and I stepped to a different beat. I was raised on artist like ” The Temptations” “The O’Jays” ” Frankie Beverly and Maze” “Commodores” “Prince” “Kool and the Gang” and many others, I truly have an old soul and love real music with instruments. I enjoyed entertainment from shows like “In Living Color” ” All That” “Fresh Prince” “Chappelle Show” “Whose Line is it Anyway” as I wanted to bring laughs and smiles to people faces. So, between Music and comedic entertainment, I was naturally a people person. 

The gifts I had were meant to be shared with the world and I wouldn’t settle for less than that. 

I always had big aspirations for myself being on a stage in front of people doing what I loved and traveling the world as a household name. I was an athlete which contributed to my love with sports and teamwork, also being a drummer and in choir inspired my love for creating music of all genres. 

From being a 3rd grader playing in Pep Band to being a solo artist at competitions around the state. In other words, I’m no stranger to the spotlight or competition. 

Now that I think of it, I have been a DJ since before high school as I use to burn CDs for peers and putting Music on our mp3 players for game days. 

My DJ career officially started in 2017 after I decided I didn’t want to play college football anymore but I still had a love for music and sports. I was working in athletics for the University of Akron when I had an idea of combining music and sports together because I was already familiar with environment and I wanted the best of both worlds. Then and there my career started as a Sports DJ. Having to perform live in front of 5,000 people in an arena can be intimidating if you aren’t prepared, luckily I was. 

Going from DJing house parties and small hole-in-the-wall bars or clubs to pumped-up arenas was a change that I was ready for. Being able to set the tone and energy for game days is the best feeling because you’re literally responsible for hyping up and enhancing the arena or stadium. That led me to connecting and networking with people all over the state. Inserting myself into the music scene at the college level was a difficult task, trying to be a full-time DJ and also a full-time student was a challenge but I was able to have time management to do both. 

I was able to lay the foundation, find great mentors, and fall in love with the craft of DJing. With no longer physically playing sports, I was able to still play an important role. 

With my degree in marketing and business, I was able to put all of those elements together and market myself and build my resume up at the same time. From working with college events and doing a few concerts with different artist like Lil Baby, Jeezy, and working NBA All-Star Weekend with the NBA and major sponsors like AT&T, Beats by Dre, Kia, and Nike I was able to find a niche and run with it. While in Akron, I was contacted by Cleveland State University, as they wanted to enhance their game-day experience in their arena. I’d gladly accepted this role as the official DJ not only for Akron but now CSU as well, that’s two-division 1 universities. 

Going into the next season, I was able to grow my contact list and provide excellent service to my clients. 

Once Covid hit, obviously the world stops and so did my Sports DJ business for the time being. That’s when I decided I need to find another niche within music and I started producing and holding my own artist showcases so I can help artist get to where they want to be through music. 

Once the world of sports opened back up, I was finally able to get back into the arena doing what I do when the NBA G league Cleveland Charge reached out and wanted me to be their DJ as they relocated to Cleveland for their first season in 2021. 

I was blessed with the opportunity just get your foot into the door with the NBA. All I needed was a platform to showcase my skills. I knew All-Star weekend was right around the corner and you never know who you can meet and connect with in regards to working different NBA events. 

Traveling the country to DJ in different markets like LA, Las Vegas, Miami has offered me the opportunities to connect with artist and different demographics who love music like I do. It challenges me to get out my comfort zone and adapt to my surroundings. I hope to be in this industry for a long time and work in Sports around the country as well as touring the world with different artist spreading peace and joy to all walks of life. Could you think of a better way to spend life? I know the entrepreneur life is not easy and can be very stressful but, in the end, having the freedom to do what you want to do is worth it. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Covid was obviously one of the biggest challenges of all. But in a way, it was a blessing because it forced me to be a different version of my best self. With challenges comes changes. Paths to greatness will never be smooth or what we think it will be. There has to be challenges and lessons on the way. How else do you expect to learn and grow? I knew coming in that I didn’t know everything and I was okay with that. Why? Having a big dream takes time, which means you have to strategically set goals for growth and give yourself time to play the game and reach your goals. If it takes me 20 years to get where I want to be, so what! I can look back over that time and tell myself I learned a lot connected with people and help put people in position to reach their dreams as well as chasing mine. 

Being a beginner in an industry always comes with obstacles and challenges, that’s just how it is but it doesn’t always have to be like that. 

Having to book my own events and manage a business can be tough at times while still trying to climb and maintain. 

Not having a mentor to guide me through dos and don’ts of being a DJ made me grind that much harder and learn some lessons along the way. At the end of the day, it all is growth for me. Learning the music industry and being a professional is so critical because people do business with people they like and unfortunately, not all people do good business. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a jack of all trades as an Open format DJ/Executive Producer/Entrepreneur/Mentor. I think I’m known for my strong yet funny personality but very serious when it comes to my craft and life in general. I do like to laugh in some serious situations though. I am most proud of the progress that I’ve made in the industry thus far without a cosign. Just God and I. 

I always have focused on being prepared and putting my best foot forward. 

I think I’m known for just being a positive person and a believer in God and his power. I know that I am blessed and DJing will lead me to something bigger, just have to be patient. 

I think what sets me apart is that I’m not from a big city with any opportunities so I had to grind for what I wanted, there were no handouts! My heart is pure and has always beat to a different drum so I had to follow it knowing I’m capable of being one of the best, I just need a team. I had to put my best foot forward every time. I understand the power of influence and how the younger generation can easily be influence for the wrong thing. We all have purpose in this life, we all are gifted. It’s on us to find what that is and share it with the world. 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
God- God saved my life and gave me a chance to be a part of something bigger than myself with purpose. With the life I am destined for, I will be able to help people around the world and be an influence for generations to come as well as being able to provide for my family and loved ones. Being able to positively impact youth and young adults to believe in themselves and that we all are put on this earth for a specific purpose something I truly believe is impactful. 

Family/ Community- without family who else believes in you? My family is a base to a lot of things that I still hold value to, like having faith in god, great taste in music, being a responsible person, being a respected person, and staying true to yourself. My mother taught me to stand on your word and never quit something once you started. As a family, you go through hard times that bring you closer together. But in my case my family was the only reason for my love of music and sports so for that I’m extremely grateful for them. From band concerts in 7th grade to concerts at NBA all-star weekend, they are truly my backbone and biggest support system and I couldn’t be more grateful. Being able to show my family that through God all things are possible, all it takes is faith hard work, and surrounding yourself with good passionate people who believe in you. 

Friendships/Relationships- Having positive relationships can change your life. Doing good business, keeping a clean face, and being good to others will always put you in a better position. You reap what you sow, in other words what goes around comes around and if you do good to others, good will be done to you. 

Music – Music has been a part of my life as far as I can remember. Music is the universal love language and comes in all different forms and genres. My days start with music and end with music whether it’s oldies or something new. I don’t see a day where music will not be a part of my daily life. 

Remain consistent and do right by others, always. 

Contact Info:

• Email: BookDJChosen@gmail.com
• Website: https://msha.ke/djchosen.com/#splash
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdjchosen/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/itschosen

Image Credits
Cory Kistow
Scott Campbell
Felecity Havens