Call in the Big Guns -DJ Maverik Interview

PlayasOnly.com: Introduce yourself to our readers on your back story and what has made the career of DJ Maverik.

DJ Maverik:“Well, it all starts with my love for music. Coming up, I was that kid, always recording songs off the radio, making mix tapes to listen to in my walk-man (young’ns look it up). It grew into me wanting to create music, so I’d make my own remixes to songs and write rhymes (mostly poetry to recite to girls). I was a pretty shy kid but I felt comfortable on stage. I’d perform at High School and camp talent shows whenever the opportunity presented itself.  I was a three sport athlete and honor roll student throughout high school and I went on to major in Communication at Boston College where I came into my own as an individual an as an artist. Early on at BC I had some key musical performances that let me know…Hey, I’m pretty good at this! It’s one thing to rap or sing, it’s another thing for others to recognize that you’re talented at it.  I became the front-man for a band called Versatyle and we performed at EVERYTHING we could get our hands on. We became the most popular band on campus and it was sad when school was over and everybody went their separate ways.  My senior Year I got rap on stage with one of my musical heroes, Common. I did this freestyle that got the crowd hype! Holding my own while sharing the stage with an MC as phenomenal as Common really boosted my confidence and from that point on, I knew I wanted to devote myself to being an artist.  DJing always came naturally to me. My parents are Jamaican so you know we had music flowing thru the house at all times!  As a result, I had 2 DJing essentials off the bat: Rhythm and great taste in music. My college roommates and I would throw big parties and it wasn’t even a question who was gonna be in charge of the music. I parlayed that into a radio show at Boston College and eventually an internship at JAMN 94.5 (Boston’s #1 Hip-Hop station that I grew up listening to). I worked for the Ramiro & Pebbles morning show thru my senior year and was asked to stay on as a Production Assistant after I graduated.  I’d make remixes and parodies for the show that got in rotation on the station, showcasing my abilities as an MC.  The program Director Cadillac heard my voice on air one time, and asked if I’d like to become an on-air personality for JAMN.  Here I am 6 years later still making’ it happen!”

Playasonly.Com: What inspired you to get into radio?

DJ Maverik: “I remember writing a letter to my favorite DJ when I was really young, a guy named Elroy who did the morning show on WILD. He wrote me back and asked if I would come on the show! I went and it was amazing!…definitely one of my fondest childhood memories. I got a tour of the station, met all the personalities, and I got my first records (Michael Jackson’s BAD and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – He’s the DJ I’m the Rapper) Plus my friends fell out of their seats when they hear me ON AIR.”

Playasonly.Com: How did you get into being a DJ?

DJ Maverik: “I could take it back to the mixtape days. I’d make tapes off the radio to bump in the locker room when I played football.  I was rockin’ college parties off winamp for a while Hahaha! But I knew that if I wanted to be considered a professional I had to get serious DJ equipment.  I got my first set of turntables after working at JAMN 94.5 for a little while.  I always admired our crew of DJ’s & observed A LOT while at the station.  My DJ friends Roy Barbosa, Pup Dawg, Mastamillions & DJ LUS helped me get the technical stuff down like cutting, scratching & beat-matching.”

Playasonly.Com: What are your favorite types of Music and which artists?

DJ Maverik: “I’m a student of hip-hop; I know and live the music and the culture. My advantage as a DJ is knowing what great music sounds like in all genres. My i-pod is pretty eclectic. My roots are in reggae because of my upbringing.  I love R&B & I mess with some rock/and alternative stuff too. I could go on for days listing artists but some of my favorites are Andre 3000, Common, Biggie, Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, of course Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Missy, Snoop, Timbaland, Radiohead, Raphael Saadiq, Ne-Yo, Coldplay, Mavado & I’m interested to see what kind of career Frank Ocean has…diggin the stuff he’s come out with so far.”

Playasonly.Com: What segment on 94.5 do you host?

DJ Maverik: “I do weekends on JAMN. When it’s part-time they call in the big guns lol”

Playasonly.Com: What type of personality do you consider yourself to bring to the station?

DJ Maverik: “I’m the young charismatic city kid born and raised in Boston. I know everything that’s innate to Boston and it comes across in my show.  I’m very relate-able, in that I can connect to people from all walks of life. I’m a genuine person and people tell me you can hear it in my voice.  Every show I bring energy, charm, a keen sense of humor and integrity.  I’m an artist too, so I can give the listener a kind of insider’s perspective.”

Playasonly.Com: On your usual day off what would you really like to do?

DJ Maverik: “Man! To be honest I can’t remember the last time I had a day off. When you love what you do you’re working but it doesn’t feel like it  …but I love playing football & basketball. I love going to the beach & hanging out with people who make me laugh.”

Playasonly.Com: What are your highlighted moments in your career as a DJ?

DJ Maverik: “I’ve met and interviewed some of the greatest to ever do it…Like Nas, Common, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, I’ve brought out Snoop Dogg in front of 20,000 people!  I’ve had my songs played at stations across the country, I’ve DJ’d for some really important people…I’ll leave it at that (don’t wanna name drop too much) hahaha and most recently I have my own Music Video coming out! I can’t wait for it to drop! The song’s called ALL NIGHT! Look out for it!”

Playasonly.Com: What shows have you done in your career that you always look back to for inspiration?

DJ Maverik: “Man, I remember the Summer Jam with Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes a couple years back was crazy! I got to open up! The Collie Buddz show I did at the Paradise was incredible!  I’ve opened up for Shaggy, Beenie Man Talib Kweli, Serani & done some great shows with Mighty Mystic, an incredible reggae artist out of Boston. ON AIR, when I interviewed Chris Brown that was dope and 50 Cent is hi-larious! He was crackin’ jokes the whole time!”

Playasonly.Com: What’s in the future for you?

DJ Maverik: “I’m just trying to grow, get better, channel my creativity, and expand the MAVERIK brand.  I’m about to release my single All Night! It’s a fun, club record with dope lyrics.  And the video is gonna be a classic! I’m looking forward to coming out with an album within the next year, performing with a live band and just making more great music.  I’m sittin’ on some HOT material that’s ready for the world to hear.  I’ve been doing some acting too so look out for that movement.”

Playasonly.Com: Is there anything else you’d like to get out to the Playas Only readers about yourself?

DJ Maverik:  “I enjoy long walks on the beach…nosah! Haha I guess just that I represent Boston in everything I do. I love being the voice of the people. The movement I’m creating now is going to be HUGE so get ready for the ride and show love when I come to a city near you! I’m always down to network so reach out and touch me.  I also DJ events all across the East Coast. For bookings E-mail varsitysound@gmail.com”

Playasonly.Com: Where can we find you?

DJ Maverik: “My website is MAVMUSIC.COM check that out for all my upcoming shows.  My twitter is @moneymav and make sure to like my Maverik Facebook page but if you’re a dude, please no pokes…thanks, that’s just weird! I’m also on JAMN945.com keyword Maverik”

Playasonly.Com: Do you have any shout outs?

DJ Maverik: “Yeah, I wanna shout out my friends, family and everyone who ever gave me a chance or supported my career in any way. To the people who inspired me growing up, Michael Jordan, Boston College, The Jackie Robinson Foundation, Kutroc Records, Team MAV, and Playasonly for having me”

Check him out on:

Openspotlight.com

Facebook

Also show love to his latest joint that’s sure to find mass-appeal amongst the masses. Titled “All Night”, it’s bound to cross borders and reach new heights.

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