Have you ever dreamt of becoming a DJ/ record label owner? Have you ever wished you could hear the tricks of the trade from someone in the business? If so, the answers are here!
This week, I was privileged enough to have a face-to-face interview with DJ/Record Label Owner, DJ Juan Coon. Coon has been a DJ for 27 years, and has been the CEO of his own record label, Phoenix Music and Media for 7 years. He is booked solid Wednesday-Sunday every week of the year. On average, he turns down at least 4 bookings per week, due to being over-booked! Coon has rocked the house all over the U.S., and also internationally. He has worked with countless amounts of celebrities, yet he is still grounded and nowhere near cocky! 
Now that, is success! Fasten your seat belts people, you’re about the experience what it’s like to be one of the best DJ’s/Record Label Owners:
“How did you get started in the business?”
“When I was 11, I was the MC in a rap group with my friends. We would perform for people all the time, but I had always been more interested in the turntables. I would practice, practice, and practice behind closed doors, and one day my friends caught me. They asked if I’d rather be the DJ in the group, and I was a little apprehensive at first. Surprisingly, the next time we performed, they threw me out there, as DJ Juan Coon… and of course, I rocked the house. From then on, I had been the DJ, not the MC. After that, I secured an internship with WBLS, I went on tours, built my own studio, and learned how to work my own equipment. I started producing my own songs and playing them at clubs and parties, and eventually, I started playing them on radio stations.”
DJ JUAN COON ROCKIN’ THE HOUSE
“What age should I start looking into the profession?”
“I would tell anyone to start looking as soon as possible. It’s never too early, and it’s also never too late.”
“Is a mentor necessary for success?”
“I wouldn’t say a mentor is a necessity, but a mentor is good to have because they tell you the tricks of the trade, they introduce you to people who are already in the business, and they build a great contact list for you. My mentors were Frankie Crocker, Hal Jackson, Percy and Chuck Sutton. They made me who I am today. They changed my life.”
“Is it more about who you know or what you know?”
“As bad as this sounds, it’s more about who you know. People who have no clue about the industry get hired all the time if they know the right people. For example, I’m the CEO of a record label. If I like you, I’m giving you a job. But on the other hand, knowing a lot about the profession is important because when times get rough, you still need to produce on your own.”
“Do I need a college degree? What should my major be?”
“Not necessarily, but a degree helps you maintain financial stability and versatility while you’re on the path to becoming a DJ. A degree also allows you to find a job in another field, if need be. I graduated from UCONN with a double major in Communications and Business and I think it has helped me.”
“How long does it take to become successful?”
“I’m optimistic, so I’d like to say over night. You can own a record label tomorrow if you really go for it.”
“What is an average salary like?”
“There’s no such thing because you set your own price. However, your price is determined by your worth: your resume/ years of experience. I’d say a DJ could make a range from $250-$15,000 per night. If you’re a super star, you could make up to $100,000 per night.”
“How do I get started!?”
“Know your music: You need to play music that will please EVERYONE. You should make yourself familiar with current music and also the latest hits. You also need to know your audience’s taste, prior to the event. The trick is, play the hits closer to the end of the party. No one wants to hear the same thing twice.”
“Purchase up-to-date equipment: Do your research and find out what equipment you need. Some include: speakers, head phones, a laptop, a microphone, turntables. Become familiar with serato because it helps if you don’t use turntables.”
“Make connections: Since it’s more about who you know than what you know, attend seminars, conventions, and international conferences. That’s how you become world-renowned.”
“Be nice: Try not to let your head swell, regardless of how many fans you have or how many celebrities you know. If people like you, they’ll always support you!”
DJ JUAN COON AND COCOA CHANNELE
**If you’re literally looking for a place to start, take a look at The College Lifestyles Job Bank! **
**Want to know more about DJ Juan Coon? Visit his website or twitter page: @juancoon.**
Tatiana Flowers is entering her junior year at Penn State with a Broadcast Journalism major and an English minor. She identifies as a funny, driven, and outgoing classy-co-ed whose favorite thing to do is WRITE! This summer, she is excited to spend lots of time writing specifically about Relationships, High School, and Music.
