“Keep showing up. Ignore the numbers and just stay consistent. “
DJ DollaMenu is a rapper and DJ from South Carolina. He’s been making a big name for himself in hiphop, even landing features with Griselda artists, Benny the Butcher & Conway the Machine. Check out his story:
CF — What’s up DollaMenu, just wanted to start off by thanking you for your time and chatting with us! How has life been for you lately?
DJ DollaMenu — Life’s good. Been focusing on releasing new music every week you know still doing my DJ sets throughout the week and yeah, I’ve been going back home and visiting the family a bit more too but yeah dude everything’s been everything.
CF — That’s great to hear, staying creative while also staying grounded is the way to go. For our community out there, would you mind giving us a little intro and some background into your creative medium(s)?
DJ DollaMenu — Yeah. I'm a rapper and dj from South Carolina. Blessed to be a full time artist. It's been almost 10 yrs, I think.
CF — Got you! Being able to turn your passions into a career is incredible and it’s great you’ve been able to stick to it this long. Where and how did the journey begin for you?
DJ DollaMenu — I started rapping and djing around the same time. I used to DJ parties without a dj controller. Just virtual dj on my mom’s old laptop at my dorm. My friend Bo owned the skate park I skated at in Aiken and he said the DJ bailed for the skate contest that week. He asked if I could fill in. I did and then afterwards he suggested I try to do it professionally. He got me my first gig downtown Aiken at a small bar and loaned me his PA system. It was really old, I think it was his uncle’s. But yeah that’s how the djing got started. Around the same time I had just started hanging out with my friend Brent and we would always be freestyling and stuff. He was already an established artist at the time and suggested that I’d try rapping forreal. So we went to our friend Keith’s studio. Keith’s dad owned a music store and he had set up a little studio in there. Recorded my first song there and started performing it at parties.
CF — That’s great you had people around you give you that extra push and encouragement! Who would you say are some of your biggest inspirations with music?
DJ DollaMenu — My friend Jerry Feels Good is the guy who encouraged me to come DJ in Charleston. He’s originally from my city and had moved to Charleston whenever I’d started my dj journey. He’s always been ahead of his time musically. He was playing dubstep in Augusta before Skrillex was popular and I remember people criticizing him for it, but he didn’t give af because he knew. Even a few years back he was the first DJ I heard playing Baile Funk and Amapiano in South Carolina and people didn’t get it. Now it’s everywhere. Also, through all of his heights in his career he’s remained the same dude which is admirable. Big DJ inspo from him.
With the rapping, it’d have to be my brother Brent I mentioned. He was already rapping, throwing events and touring when we were in school. He’d bring me with him to other cities and let me perform at these huge shows. It was wild seeing him do all of this stuff that I thought you needed a record deal or a lot of money to do. And then we’d just drive back and go to class like nothing happened the next day lol. But yeah, he was the first person that showed me what I could really do with the music.
CF — That’s a pretty diverse set of artists, great to have a wide range to pull from. What was your biggest obstacle while carving out your own lane?
DJ DollaMenu — I think in the beginning I was just comparing my success to others too much. Once I stopped trying to compete with anyone, I started seeing more progress.
CF — I definitely understand, comparison is the thief of joy. What’s some advice you’d give some upcoming creatives trying to find their way?
DJ DollaMenu — Keep showing up. Ignore the numbers and just stay consistent. And also figure out your “why.” If you’re doing it for you, you’ll never lose.
CF — Very solid advice! Since this is the ATL edition, we have to ask how the culture of the city has impacted you as a creative?
DJ DollaMenu — ATL always bled over to Augusta, so I grew up listening to a lot of ATL music. Definitely helped cultivate my style in and out of music
I remember going to events like Mayfest and seeing all the ATL artists perform on their tour circuits. D4L, shawty lo, Yung LA. The list goes on. That futuristic era was something else lol
CF — It definitely was, so many great moments of nostalgia from that era. We appreciate you sharing your story and perspectives with us! What do you have coming up and how the CreativeFace community support?
DJ DollaMenu — I drop a new song and music video every week. The best way to keep up with me it’s my Instagram @djdollamenu. DJ DollaMenu on all streaming platforms