Meet Bernard Russett | Producer/DJ…B Jezzyy
We had the good fortune of connecting with Bernard Russett and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bernard, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The real-life of a DJ.
It looks glamorous, but there’s a hidden, darker side.
Let me tell you what no one else knows about the DJ lifestyle:
1) It’s lonely.
Not just on tour, but also when you get home.
This is where your friends/family are supposed to be.
But they don’t fit in the lifestyle.
Everyone is out of sync: birthdays, weekends, and work schedules.
2) It’s expensive.
It may look like loads of money coming in but it also costs a considerable amount to maintain and grow that name.
→ Flights
→ Hotels
→ Tour staff
→ Gear
→ Marketing
→ Management
→ Studio fees
3) It’s exhausting.
Most people don’t stay up for five days straight.
Traveling from time zone to time zone, often with red-eye flights, causes major fatigue.
Then you arrive, perform, and greet fans.
You have to bring energy every night, just like the night before.
4) It’s unhealthy.
Late nights, long flights, alcohol, and a lack of home-cooked meals catch up quickly.
Physical and mental health deteriorate if there is no conscious effort to maintain them.
5) It’s a grind.
You’re only as relevant as your last performance.
So you have to keep pushing.
Producers are in the studio nonstop, and they feel most comfortable there.
DJs are in the club nonstop, and they feel the most comfortable there.
Imagine being both.
6) It’s competitive.
Newcomers are always trying to take your place.
And the second you become a has-been, it’s all downhill from there.
But as long as social media and music exist, there will always be fresh talent.
7) It’s not what it seems.
What you see:
→ Traveling
→ Performances
What you don’t see;
→ Studio
→ Networking
→ Marketing
→ Prep work
→ Management
→ Meetings
Don’t let the 1% of the time lead you to believe that you have a life filled only with excitement.
When it comes down to it, being a DJ is like any other job.
You have to work hard, maintain relationships, and push yourself to keep up with current trends.
To conclude: I’m thankful to be able to do what I love, but there’s a darker side most people don’t see.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The biggest thing is the music….I love to making people happy. I’m a giving person …the journey is not easy at all…all the sacrifices like making music instead of spending time with my family but I’ve learned along the way that this is a marathon, not a sprint… if you stay consistent, things will happen…. The world should just know I’m here to make you happy…. I’ve never seen anybody upset on the dance floor.
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.
Definitely will take them out to eat… nobody never said no to pizza. Franks pizza is the best pizzas I had and they stay open till 2 o’clock in the morning. after that we’re definitely going to the after hours at Starlane definitely wish we had more theme park one of my favorite thing to do but but we visit in all the top clubs on all week definitely at night. I’ll plus it’s too hot. Lol
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?
I would like to give thanks to some big DJ like Kyle kinch,Westend, and truthxlies for continuing to give me advice and pushing me to do better
Instagram: @b_jezzyy
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@b_jezzyy
Other: Spotify… https://open.spotify.com/artist/34VAhqdfNBu6WDdA2hfuJq?si=E5HB_tirTzGyBQp9v7j3dA
Image Credits
Ashley Harris
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
