Meet Dj Trill | Open Format Dj / Creative

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

Hi Dj, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I view risks as one of the core things that can make or mar an individual. My life decisions revolve around risk taking, and it extends to my career choices. I strongly believe that the more risk involved in a plan; the higher the reward. However, before taking any critical decision it is very important that I analyze and asses the risks involved. Leaving a secured job in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and moving to the United States was a risk that I strongly analyzed, and ultimately it has been paying off.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I go by the name 1DJ Trill, or people simply call me the Aktivator. I started DJing professionally in 2015 when a friend of mine needed music for his birthday, I promptly went to the store, bought a controller, brushed off on my old skills, and the rest they say is history. I am blessed to be able to do what I love, and I’m most proud of my growth within the few years that I started. Furthermore, as an open-format DJ I am not bound by a genre as I like to incorporate different tastes and flavors into what I do. I would say what sets me apart is the variety of music that I was exposed to by my father while growing up, and this influence can be seen when I play to a diverse crowd.

Making the decision to relocate to Houston proved to be another challenge as I had to go back to the drawing board to be able to properly understand Houston music or Southern music specifically. This was not an easy transition as I spent a huge amount of time hopping from one bar or club to another with my Shazam app always open. After that I would go home and listen to the ones that were new to me and try to incorporate it in my set. Eventually growing my library and immersing myself into the culture.

Also, a key factor in my journey was my ability to network, I remember driving about 45 mins to go see a colleague called DJ Woske, and he helped set me off on a good start, and it has paid off so far.
A great part of my professional growth has been my Work ethic and Networking. I pride myself in being timely to a gig or event, and that has helped me in a lot of ways, eventually earning a Mr Dependable nickname.

I’ll put together all I’ve learned into little tidbits.

Along the way I have learned that nothing beats good work ethic and discipline, Talent is never enough, as I have seen hard work beat talent a couple of times, especially if talent refuses to put the work in.

Also, it is not enough to just exist as a DJ, your brand needs to constantly evolve and reinvent; people are always watching whether you know it or not. You have to keep having that WOW factor.

Know your value, and never undercut yourself because you will always be treated cheap if you do.

Be a people person, remain humble in truth, and in deed. No one grows with a bad attitude.

I have learned to read my audience and know them, that’s why no Aktivator sets are ever the same.

I want the world to know me as the creative that always does his best to put a smile on people’s faces. At the end of every DJ set I play, or any creative video I make; I always make sure I give it my all. There will always be another DJ, but there can never be another Aktivator.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Right now Houston is bursting with lots of new spots and fun places to go, One of my weekday spots to drink and eat will be Atomic Bottle and Ebony food and music, where I just happen to play at ( as at time of publication). For my weekends, you are sure to catch me eating samosas and having a cocktail made by the manager at Azura Lounge for the hottest Sunday Funday in the city. I would also visit Axelrad Bar, and the Houston Water wall.

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?
Over the course of my life journey, i have been privileged to have genuine people in my corner; People like my partner, and my mother. Others are my colleagues and mentors in the game. Notable mentions are GQ Mike, DJ Ark, Woske, Towii.  These people have been instrumental in my journey so far, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us all because this is just the pregame.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1djtrill/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1DJTRILL

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNeQQ84nG9bG0b2_Hpb7bw

Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/1djtrill/ https://audiomack.com/1djtrill

Image Credits
All pictures courtesy @Loveinmylens @macanthonystudios