Self-taught student DJ
A young boy waited for his mom to pick him up from his drumming lessons. As he was waiting, he saw a store next door with DJ equipment and wandered into the store. He was intrigued by the gadgets and the colorful flashing strobe lights.
He went home and asked his parents for turntables. He didn’t know the first thing about being a DJ, but he was ready to embark on a journey that would add joy and energy to his soul.
He began to DJ at local high school events and neighborhood parties. DJ Miller is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno and is very involved with UNR events.
“I DJ at a lot of campus events, tailgates, Mackay week events, Greek week events and Homecoming,” Miller said. “I like meeting new people and talking to people.”
He is the resident DJ at Pearl and Nikki Beach, located in the Grand Sierra Resort. He also began rocking the decks at Edge, the new club in the Peppermill. He specializes in hip-hop, but as he learned more about being a DJ, he acquired a taste for all types of music, especially energetic house music.
“I used to hate house music, but they (other DJs) taught me to listen to it,” he said.
Miller is self-taught. He learned how to mix-up beats on his own. He learned how his DJ equipment worked and said that it was trial and error.
“I remember hooking up my equipment and finding out, oh, I need something else to make this speaker work,” Miller said.
Even though he is self-taught, he said he was blessed to have some of the most recognized DJs at his side to guide him.
“DJ Vice, EJ Luera, DJ OB-One are my inspirations,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for them.”
He said his skills have improved because he is learning from the best. He used to go to events that his mentors would DJ at and he would intently watch their every move on the turntables.
His talents are not only abundant in music, but he’s got the knack for graphic design.
“I can promote myself through design,” Miller said. “I don’t need an agent to do the promoting for me.”
He said he plans to take his design talent to the next level and open up a clothing line called Smear Designers.
“The clothing will be hip-hop clothing, but without the baggy jeans and big T-shirts,” Miller said. “I want the clothing to look nice and have bright colors.”
This multitasking DJ is venturing out into different arenas, but will always gravitate to being the DJ that pumps up the crowd. His passion to make the crowd happy will never fade.
“I want people to remember how personal I am,” he said. “I’m not there just for music, I’m partying with them. I don’t want to be on an ego trip.”
He said that he’s down-to-earth and his sole goal is to help people have fun.
Danielle Gonzalez can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
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