Meet David Victor | Private Events Open-Format DJ

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

Hi David, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
It virtually fell in my lap!

My cousin was a DJ. When she started law school, she decided to stop DJing, so she asked me if I wanted to buy her DJ equipment. At first I said no. I was already very busy in college working 2 jobs, having responsibilities as the president of 2 clubs, and studying for a rigorous curriculum of Physics at the engineering school at NYU, so I said no. Then I spoke to me dad who told me I had a great ear for music, and with my charisma and customer service skills, it was a venture worth looking into. I went back to my cousin, bought her equipment for a generous family discount, and the rest is history!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Often referred to as the life of the party, I’ve lived up to my name from behind the turntables. I’m an eclectic, charismatic, and New York Times Featured DJ, whose personality lights up a room as much as my sets do. My knack for reading the crowd, coupled with my exceptional mixing skills, are the perfect combination for turning any dream event into reality.

What sets me apart is my vast musical knowledge, mixing creativity, and my instinct to play music you didn’t know you wanted to hear. I prioritize getting to truly know my clients; it’s my most useful tool in playing the music they want for their event. Also, as an MC, I let the music do the talking, and ensure that all formalities go smoothly. My mindset is to make succinct, effective announcements throughout any event, and then keep everyone on the dance floor for the dancing portions with music only– you won’t get a DJ who constantly interrupts the music because they love the sound of their own voice. It was not easy accruing these skills, but I feel fortunate to have been afforded enough opportunities to fortify these skills as a DJ and MC.

Biggest lesson I’ve learned is that all crowds are different. Even if I have 2 clients that want the same type of music at their events, I cannot play the same set at both events. I have to read the crowd and react to how the crowd responds to the music I play. This has been a crucial lesson in my over-preparation for events.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Favorite spots to eat – Lido (Harlem), the Maze (K-Town), Jumbos Pizza Coffee Shop (Harlem), BLVD Bistro (Harlem) Favorite spots to go – Pier 5 (Brooklyn Heights), DUMBO (Downtown Brooklyn), Riverside Park (Harlem)
Favorite things to do – Play Chess in one of the many parks in the city! Also, I love to play soccer!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly I’d like to thank my dad. I would have never gone down this journey as a DJ if it weren’t for him convincing me. Next, I’d like to thank my family and friends. The support has been overwhelming– even when I was a subpar DJ just starting to dip my toes into the entertainment field, they understood that DJing was something I could excel at, and gave me the platforms/opportunities to do so. Lastly, I’d like to thank myself. It wasn’t easy becoming a DJ during one of the busiest years of my life, and then having to persevere through the pandemic the very next year, but I’m glad I’ve stuck with it and have gotten as far as I have in this industry.

Website: djdavidevents.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/itsdavidthedj

YouTube: YouTube.com/@itsdavidthedj

Image Credits
J Philip Photography Megan & Kenneth Photography Kelly Sea Images