DEFINE HUSTLE: DJ Authorize
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK | DJ AUTHORIZE
INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK
Some say pressure burst pipes but from a hustlers point of view that same pressure can produce diamonds. When you tend to see the glass half full rather than half empty regardless of the circumstance, that’s the mindset of a go-getter. DJ Authorize defines hustle, whether its how he overcame a rough childhood to go on to play basketball on the collegiate level or how the self taught DJ later became the official DJ for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. In his own words, “No matter what’s in front of me, I stop for nothing.” In our follow up interview with DJ Authorize we discuss what he’s been up to since the 2018 interview, including expanding his clothing line, his involvement in children's education, working with several different youth basketball leagues, becoming R&B Singer Lil Mo’s DJ and more.
VALIDATED: You were the cover story for Validated’s 2nd issue almost 6 years ago, I know you were the Nets DJ then too but how long have you been the official DJ for the Nets?
DJ AUTHORIZE: It’s been 9 years on and off. I do a lot of the community events for them now for the kids.
VALIDATED: What are some of the highlights and perks of being the Nets DJ?
DJ AUTHORIZE: Being in the arena and building new work relationships and friendships.
VALIDATED: A little birdie told me that you tried out for the Nets at one point, what can you tell us about that experience?
DJ AUTHORIZE: I was in the movie “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah and Common. So the actual Nets coach was there, that gave me an opportunity while filming the movie. I went and did my thing but got cut before preseason. Unfortunately I didn’t have an agent.
VALIDATED: Basketball is a huge part of your life but what would you be doing if you weren’t involved with the sport?
DJ AUTHORIZE: Working with troubled kids and teenagers. I had a very hard upbringing so I can help them through those struggles, because someone helped me get where I’m at today.
VALIDATED: You’re R&B singer Lil Mo’s official DJ, how did the opportunity come about and how long have you been doing it?
DJ AUTHORIZE: Yeah man, I’ve always been a fan of her music. I was at Tom, Dick & Harry’s, which is the famous store from “Streets Is Watching”, the movie by JAY-Z. I was playing all her hits and she turned around and looked at me and told me, “I’m taking you with me!” And the rest is history.
VALIDATED: What’s your most memorable moment from DJing for her so far?
DJ AUTHORIZE: DJing for her… It’s crazy how life is. Being a fan of someone and then DJing for them. It gives me goosebumps all the time rocking stages with her.
VALIDATED: What are some of the major differences between DJing for basketball tournaments and DJing for an artists event?
DJ AUTHORIZE: It’s no different because I have to perform every time no matter if it’s on the court or off the court. I have to entertain the people and keep them dancing.
VALIDATED: You’re also the head DJ of NY vs NY and Pro City in New York. How did you get involved and what can you tell us about it?
DJ AUTHORIZE: I’m the first DJ to bring sound effects to street ball. I was DJing in Brooklyn at a tournament called Gersh Park and Nike was there. They heard some of the sound effects I was doing with my mic guy at the time Fly Ty and they loved it. Fast forward and 7 years later I was the official DJ for them with another dope MC from Harlem called Cha Ching.
The Pro City opportunity came about when me and my partner, now the legendary Joe Pope, we went to the Miami Pro League. Then we came back to New York and did the same thing for Pro City. Thanks to my guy Bernard Bowen‘s and I’m also his official DJ. He partnered up with Carmelo Anthony for City Is Mine.
VALIDATED: In addition, you’re the official DJ for Carmelo Anthony’s “The City Is Mine Basketball Tournament”. How were you brought on board and what can you tell us about it?
DJ AUTHORIZE: As mentioned, my guy Bernard Bowen got me involved. He called me up and asked me if I would like to be a part of it. When I saw the whole concept, I said hell yeah.
We go to different cities and each city comes back for the championship game in New York for The City Is Mine championship game. The cities we’ve been to so far are Chicago, Philly and Baltimore but it continues to grow.
VALIDATED: The slogans, “I Authorize This” and “Be Authorize”, how did you come up with those and when did they catch on?
DJ AUTHORIZE: It came from my growth in life, understanding life and getting through life because if I don’t authorize it no one else will. So I started a clothing line back in 2015 and it took off from there and now I’m here.
VALIDATED: The Authorize Apparel, how did the clothing idea come into fruition?
DJ AUTHORIZE: Actually to be honest I was dealing with a woman and she asked me why am I always wearing someone else’s clothing. So one day I looked at the card, it said, “I authorize you to dance.” So I just took “I Authorize This” and put it on the hat and it took off.
VALIDATED: Who are some of the celebrities that have been spotted in your apparel?
DJ AUTHORIZE: I have a long list from comedians to actors to music stars including Rob Stapleton, Bill Bellamy, Tony Roberts ,Tracy Morgan, Earthquake, CoCo Brown, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, DJ Clark Kent, Major Hype, T.I., D.L. Hughley, Junior Mafia’s Lil Cease, Nino Brown, Faith Evans, Young Joc, Paul Kain (Fabolous’s brother), Lenny Cooke and the list goes on and on…
VALIDATED: You’re also a Dean at a middle school, a substitute teacher and a coach, which did you do first and how did one lead to the other?
DJ AUTHORIZE: I was at home bouncing around ideas on how can I influence or help my community. I don’t work in the morning and I have two degrees. I love working with kids, so I started at a boys and girls high school and then from there it led me to the middle school to be a substitute teacher and Dean. Because kids need help and guidance before they reach high school.
VALIDATED: You’re big on community giveback, you mentioned you feel that “kids need help and guidance before they reach high school. Your passion for reaching back to help others, where does that come from?
DJ AUTHORIZE: It comes from me being in the foster care system since I was 3 and a lot of people have helped me throughout my life, so it's only right that I return it because people could have turned their backs on me.
VALIDATED: You’ve also said that you’ve had mentors but can you explain how big of an impact having a mentor has had on you as a person and as a businessman?
DJ AUTHORIZE: Yes, having a mentor helped me a lot because I didn't have a father figure at the time, when I was growing up because of me being in foster care. I had strangers that I didn't even know wanting to help me. They saw something in me that I didn't see in myself at the time because I was always told I was nothing and would never amount to nothing. So personally it helps me to be better and stronger in everything I do and no one’s opinion matters but mines. I took that same mentality when I started my business to not allow people to walk all over me, understand my worth and what I bring to the table. That's why the business is “I Authorize This” and no one else.
VALIDATED: You wear a lot of hats, how do you manage and balance everything?
DJ AUTHORIZE: I just Authorize it and make no excuses on how God has blessed me and continues to do so. It’s like I always say on Instagram under all of my post, “No matter what's in front or behind me, I stop for nothing.” I’m also the designer and creator for all of my ideas, and the CEO, so that's the balance that I have to keep going no matter how bumpy the road might get.
VALIDATED: I know we’re early in the year but what does the remainder of 2023 look like for you so far?
DJ AUTHORIZE: The clothing line is coming out with new heat but I can’t really say much about it yet. DJ wise, I have an event I do every Monday at Victory Lounge in Manhattan. It’s a network meet and greet event which is becoming pretty successful and my summer is already booked until August. And between all of that, I’m working with kids and changing lives during the day. I’m also traveling with Lil Mo, so I’m booked. Lol
VALIDATED: Where can the readers follow and support you?
DJ AUTHORIZE: They can find me at my Instagram DJ page @iamdjauthorize or the clothing page @iauthorizethis.