Meet Tyrone Johnson | DJ/Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyrone Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyrone, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking has played a vital role in my life and career over the past 2 years. During the beginning of the global pandemic in 2019 I had the opportunity to take a job as a multi media producer. Little did I Know this job would encompass a hell of a lot more than I expected. I went from working at Guitar Center as a sales associate to building LED video walls the size of billboards 50ft in the air while operating a scissor lift! Ohh and Hulu will be there tomorrow to screen their latest series to 100 people. I hope you’re a fast learner who works well under pressure.

That leap of faith lead me to go on a production tour that landed me in Phoenix Arizona at the end of it all. I liked it here so much I decided to drop everything and start a new life here. I left my family, friends, girlfriend, and belongings all for the chance to live here. All I had was a suitcase full of clothes and my laptop. I had no car and nowhere to stay but the two things I did have were optimism and the drive to figure the situation out. Fast forward a year later I have a car, a room in a house and a career as a full time DJ. Looks like I figured things out! Im forever grateful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Not only am I a Dj but I’m also a music producer. Music production was actually how i got into djing. On top of that I’m also a content creator as well. I have an extensive history of creating hundreds of youtube videos ranging from music production tutorials, interviews, live Dj sets, product reviews, vlogs, and so much more. Theses are all creative skills I’ve developed over the years to help further my career as a dj and music producer. In this day and age I feel like you have to dabble in a bit of everything as an artist in order to set yourself apart from others and stay afloat in your industry. Its not enough just to be good at one thing.

Was it easy getting where I am today? In retrospect I’d like to say yes. I have an I Phone and internet that gives me the ability to reach any and everyone Ive ever wanted to connect with! That alone with a bit of determination, consistency, and creativity can take you a long way.

Lessons learned on the way? Your journey will never look like anyone else’s. People will reach destinations you want to reach before you do. Embrace every moment of your personal journey. Its not a race.

Im most excited about something I haven’t even done yet. Traveling overseas has been a long time goal of mine and I’m finally setting everything in place this year so I can finally see the world! I feel like traveling overseas will be an eye opening experience that will change the corse of my life forever. In a good way of corse haha.

I want the world to know that achieving what you want to achieve in this lifetime is absolutely possible! Thousands of people have probably accomplished what you want to do already so why cant you be apart of that bunch as well.! They’er all human just like you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely take them on Grand ave. The moment I discovered Grand Ave and started walking into random businesses was the moment I discovered this almost hidden underground music and arts scene. Therese so much magic on this street every time I visit I have a new and exiting experience.

Grand Ave Records is an amazing record store to check out if you’re interested in tapping into Arizonas underground music scene, discovering new music and artists, and having random conversations with likeminded people.

Trans AM Cafe is another cool spot I like to visit for delicious home cooked meals by its owner Gabe. His cafe is so cool. Gabe has video games streaming on a wall via a projector (he loves battlefield) and walls full of art he’s collected over over the years from local artists. I just really like going in there just to be apart of the atmosphere honestly. Its something you’ll have to experience yourself to fully understand.

Theres plant store by the name Pueblo I also enjoy going to as well. The employees there are great to talk to. The scenery is unforgettable with its beautiful backdoor plant oasis. Another place I love visiting just to be apart of the atmosphere and mingle with friendly strangers.

I could go on and on about each and every shop I like to visit on this street but I feel like you get the point haha. Heck I was on Grand Ave just yesterday and met a photographer inside of a vegan restaurant. We talked about cameras, Djing, Bitcoin, etc. He told me he works for a newspaper as a photographer and if I ever needed pictures I should let him know. I reached out later that day and now i have a shoot with one of the top photographers n the city. Thats grand ave in a nutshell!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d first like to give a shoutout to my mom and dad for molding and nurturing me into the person I am today. Im forever grateful for their love, support, and encouragement when it comes to my dreams and goals in life.

Id also like to give a shoutout to a good friend of mine “Nature Boi”. He was a great mentor who took me under his wing early on in my DJ career. He was the first person to give me a platform to showcase my skills and talents in front of hundreds of people on a weekly basis. His platform is called “Open Gem”

Shoutout to my computer graphics teacher “Marcus Young”. My first time ever touching an Apple product was in his class. He was the first person to challenge me creatively as an artist. He opened my eyes to the vast world of art and let me know that you can actually make a living doing something like making logos, music, taking pictures, etc.

Shoutout to “Omega Studios School Of Recording Arts And Sciences” for teaching and laying down the foundation for all of my technical skills I have today, Shoutout to Robert Scott Adams who runs the job placement program over there as well.. He’s a great guy to know and talk to.

Shoutout to “DJ J-ME LEE” the first person I’ve ever met making a living as a full time DJ. She’s helped a lot with connecting me within the DJ scene within Phoenix and has also been an avid supporter in all my creative endeavors since living in AZ.

Website: https://linktr.ee/zimablue__

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zimablue___/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPrKblwdKY3dT4u17VAk-BA

Image Credits
Patrick Breen – Feature Photo