Getting Started as a DJ & Breaking into the Music Industry with DJ 151 // The Exchange #008

The Exchange with Sunil Prasad

Had a good chat with musician, DJ, producer, and old friend Junior Bali this week. Also known as DJ 151, Junior has been a DJ in Vancouver for over 25 years and has produced 2 hip-hop albums and 3 singles/EPs. We chatted about his story getting started as a DJ in the Vancouver scene as a young teenager, what it took for him to make money doing what he loves, advice and pointers for others on the same path, and plenty more about the music industry as a whole and also as it relates to business. Check DJ 151 out below:

https://www.dj151.ca
DJ 151 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jYc08uRUApQx4TeO6AlE5

Podcast timeline:
(00:35 - 04:20) Junior's introduction & how he got his start
(04:20 - 05:30) 9 to 5 and comfortability
(05:30 - 10:24) How Junior became a DJ
(10:24 - 13:15) Transitioning from DJ to music producer
(13:15 - 16:36) Starting a home studio
(16:36 - 18:47) Ways to collaborate and reach out to other musicians
(18:48) **Q&A segment begins**
(19:57 - 21:19) Who is your favourite artist right now? // Talking E40, Khaled, Nipsey)
(21:19 - 24:59) Worth it to take out loans for instruments/studio space? // Talking Canadian government grants for creatives
(24:59 - 26:21) Canadian market vs. American market, from an artistic standpoint
(26:21 - 28:58) Where's the biggest hip-hop culture?
(28:58 - 30:36) Places to distribute your beats and sounds.
(30:36 - 33:56) Things that spark creativity.
(33.56 - 38:17) How much money do you need to market your music?
(38:17 - 39:46) Discussing music industry influencers and moguls
(39:46 - 41:55) Talking competitiveness and favourite sports/teams.
(41:55 - 45:36) Comparing home studios vs. professional studios
(45:36 - 48:33) Best advice for a new DJ starting out in the game.
(48:33 - 51:00) What would you do differently if you were starting out as a DJ now?

(51:00 - end) Junior's music catalogue.