DJ Drumline - marching to the beat of his own drum

Renee McPherson, Youth Focus Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:His passion is executed through his love for music and entertainment and 17-year-old Chevaughn James, who goes by DJ Drumline, marches to the beat of his own drum and drive to excel in music.

The aspiring disc jockey eyes ZIP FM as one of the places where he will be able to showcase his talents in music selection and further enhance his skills in pleasing entertainment-hungry fans.

Youth Focus takes a look at this DJ who is creating a buzz in Montego Bay through his skills on the music decks.

When did you discover that you had the talent for music mixing?

Since I was 12 years old, I had a friend that was also a DJ and it was through watching him and trying some of the stuff he did that I realised this was something I had a knack for and was able to do. When I was 13, I played at a big football game and it just took off from there and, now, here I am.

What or who inspires you?

"My inspiration comes from seeing people have a good time, and knowing that I had a part to play in that, especially as it relates to my music selections. I see how ZJ Liquid plays and how the crowd responds to his skills and that inspires me. I aspire to continue generating similar approval from your fans and to be a pioneer in the business."

Can you remember your most memorable performance; what was it like for you?

My most memorable moment was at a football match after-party. More than 1,000 people were standing in front of me while I played hit after hit and the way the showed their approval was unbelievable. It is an experience I hold dear to me.

In the future, if you were to play for a radio station, which would it be and why?

Zip FM, of course, because that radio station has some of the best group of disc jocks and I would be so happy if I was given the opportunity to join the team so I could learn from them as well as boost my credentials as a DJ.

What next can we expect from DJ Drumline?

For now, I mix on a few websites such as www.pondends.com on Saturday nights at 7. and I also play on stacked-deck.net on Fridays at 10 p.m. In the future, I hope to take my hobby as far as possible to start playing at the hottest parties - such Smirnoff Dream Weekend, ATI in Negril, Marco Polo in Kingston, to name a few - and to play for the hottest radio station in Jamaica. I also believe I will be a future winner of the Heineken Green Synergy contest."