Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Mcleod.
Hi Blake, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My mom told me when I was 2 years old; I would go around the house and sing about anything or any songs I would hear on TV or the radio. I remember when I had to pick up my toys, so I made a song called “Clean Up.” I would take my big sister’s jump rope, tie one end to the vacuum handle, and use it as a mic stand while my mom and sister sing along. So, of course, when Christmas came around, I received an Orange and yellow cordless microphone, and it will record your voice and play it back for you to hear. The first song I sang was “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith, with my diaper on and my onesie hanging on my head, swaying back and forth. To this day, my mom embraces me with that video. So now, as I’m growing up, I learned how to spell my name with rap or rapping it out loud, and of course, tapping on everything around the house, I started to mimic sounds from the radio. My mom bought me drums, and I taught myself how to play beats on the drums from songs I liked. When my cousins came over, the fun started because we would perform for the family made-up songs or raps; here comes my mom again, showing everyone she knows, lol, just embarrassing. So, she is now asking questions about what I want to be growing up. And at 5 or 6 I knew! Like I know with what I want to be! So, with no hesitation or second-guessing, I yell. I want to be a Music Producer, Dj, and COP! I ran off, lol. Now I am a little older, 7 years old, and I went to my cousin’s baby shower, and there was a DJ there, and I was so excited because the music was so loud and it was the beats and songs I like, and he was on the mic talking. I was excited, so I asked him if I could try, and he said yes. He let me play around for a while, and ever since that day, I knew I was a professional DJ. Now, I’m at the point where I have headphones and standing in front of a couple of stacked storage containers in the living room, acting as if I am scratching and nodding to the music I’m playing for the crowd. I’ve been doing this for days and months. But I have no scratchpad, crowd, or live music! just my imagination and my dream. My mom introduced me to a real DJ, and a fantastic DJ, Sassy B, and she takes me under her wing and lets me play around on her equipment and teaches me things like mixing, how to read the music, speakers, a tag, and having a DJ name. I would want to practice on her turntable every day after school and on weekends. Then COVID hit the world, and I’m doing school online and practicing more.
During COVID-19, my mom decided to move to Texas and is trying to keep my sister and me busy while working from home and waiting for the school year to start. Sassy B. and my mom are discussing if I can handle expensive equipment, so on my 8th birthday, I got my first turntable. Then, on my 9th birthday, they bought me my speakers and the subwoofer last year for Christmas. Everything to become a professional DJ. So now I’m creating business cards and making videos of me DJing so I can do my first gig. I have done 1st-anniversary parties for restaurants, birthday parties, Judson Rockets Football game time, practices, and. So now my dream is to DJ for Cardi B’s or Kardashian’s Kids’ parties. lol
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Boy, it has not been a smooth road at all, lol, because once I was a kid and no one had faith in a kid, can excellence like adults can, or they think I did not know all types of music or music from the 80’s to the present. Some people would not book me, so my mom would stop letting them know I was a kid and let them find out. When we were sitting, people asked her if she was the DJ, and she said no and pointed to me. They try to quiz me, but they back off once I start. Another challenge for me is social media. My mom has control of my accounts, and we should post less content than we should. So I need help in that area.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Dj; I specialize in a lot of song selections. I know what to play to keep the crowd going and when to play it. I am known for being the youngest DJ in San Antonio, Texas. I am most proud of being able to DJ and transition songs that you would not even think of and playing all genres of music, like techno, house, or hip hop, from age 9 when I started till now. What sets me apart from others is that I am a Kid who DJS and can rock a crowd of any age and background.
What matters most to you?
What matters the most to me is family and music. I say my family because we love each other so much, spending time around each other, and my mom turns movie night into a party or cleans up the house into a party. My sister bossed me around, my grandma yelled clean your room, and my Brittney motivated me and taught me more about dj or quizzed me. My fav is my mom. She hypes me up in anything I do, and my sister. She lets us follow our dreams no matter when, and we always dance around when music comes on. When it’s time to clean up, I’m the DJ and the clean. Lol, sometimes I help. Music gives me feelings that make me feel good to get up and get my day going or make me and my friends happy.
Pricing:
- 100/hr
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Octavia Smith
