Appreciation and recognition tend to change people, awards can be argued to be the biggest form of gratification. New York City’s DJ Beyond has won the Best Blend DJ by Urban Mixx Awards and is a nominee of Best Duo & Blend DJ in the Justo’s Mixtape Awards. This is no less of a life-changing event and the DJ is going to share all that has changed in his life ever since. Both in his professional and personal life.
“I’m going, to be honest here, winning the award is one of my life’s highlights. I never thought it would happen to me. The biggest change in my life since the award is that people have started recognizing me more. It has become a test for my humility. I come from very humble roots and my family has always taught me to stay the same, no matter how much fame and success I get,” says DJ Beyond. Damian Perez, better known as DJ Beyond, was greatly influenced by his father who was a member of multiple Spanish bands. He asked his mother to get him a turntable for Christmas when he was 15 and has been DJ’ing from that moment on.
The incredible music blending skills of DJ Beyond are nothing new for the nightclubs of New York City. He has performed at many events for Webster Hall, Best Buy Theater, The Times Center, Time Warner Building, Limelight, La Marina, Copacabana, and Stonewall. “I was always well known in the nightlife scene of NYC but winning the award opened several new avenues for me. Many places started inviting me and insisted that I play there. Kimoto Rooftop, Sky Room, High Bar, and Empire Hotel are just a few among the names,” adds Damian.
Working with well-known music artists is a dream for every DJ. This is something that DJ Beyond had achieved quite earlier in his career. Winning the award has just boosted his credentials and now more artists are waiting to get to work with him. He says, “I was privileged to have worked with huge artists like NAS, Sean Paul, Ne-Yo, and Ariana Grande. After I won the award, there are so many more musicians that know me now and are wanting to work with me.” Other big names that have worked with DJ Beyond are Cardi B, Lizzo, and Young MA.
The biggest lesson that getting an award has taught DJ Beyond is that there is a lot of potential in the area he grew up in. It is his job to groom that talent. “I feel that I must give back to the society that brought me up. Some so many young DJs who have the talent to grow a lot. I have started coaching them and will do my best to see that they put their skills to good use,” adds DJ Beyond in the end.