How music changed my life
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor"
My name is Martin, but I go by DJ Mav. I grew up in the Antelope Valley, and I loved it! I have always been a big fan of hip hop and its culture.
As a kid, I was always into breakdancing, graffiti, Djing, and rapping. But, in middle school, I got mixed up with the “wrong crowd” and spent two years on probation. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was a blessing in my life. During my time on probation, my father was fighting cancer. I made a promise to my dad to get my act together and stay out of trouble.
I turned to music as my way to cope and get my creativity out. Music became such a big part of my life. It’s all I wanted to do and learn about. It helped me discover a new world. Many years later music became my career.
As a kid, I remember rushing home from school and being excited to work on music. I spent hours in my room making beats and Djing. I wanted to get better and continue to learn more about my craft. I started to see a future in music, specifically as an audio engineer, because they are essential in making songs and performing live events.
At this point in my life, I was so deep into music I knew I didn’t want to go to a four-year university …. My passion, MY first love, and my world was music! By the time I was in 11th grade, my high school had booked me to DJ all our school dances. These gigs made me realize my second love, business. I started Djing events all over town, from birthday parties, school dances, to anything I could get paid. I was feeling great, making $200 for a gig. During my senior year of high school, I got an internship at a radio station. I was excited and happy about my new opportunity.
After high school, I went to The Los Angeles Recording School to study audio engineering. I now work as an audio engineer, Radio DJ, Producer, and I run my own event production company with my business partner. My dream had become a reality.
Advice to younger self:
• I want to leave a few words of advice for the youth thinking about getting a career in the music or entertainment industry: Stay Focused! It is easy to get distracted in this business but when things get hard, always remember….A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Thanks, Mav