The Allure of one of Baltimore’s best DJ’s
A Sitdown with DJ Allure
Every hero has an origin story. Tell me yours:
I’ve always loved music and have been a musician most of my life. I also like to party haha. I became a party promoter at 18. After 2 years of nonstop clubbing, it grew old. I had a friend who got a night at a local lounge in Baltimore and asked if I could assist. Knowing how much a pain-in-the-ass promoting can be, I decided to just do the music. From there I began djing on an iPad and rocking out. One thing led to another and the owner asked me to DJ more nights and from there was the birth of DJ ALLURE. I was doing 6hrs a night for a RICH $60. Haha good times
I can relate to that type of pay early on, lol. How did your family, friends, and upbringing influence your musical journey?
My mother perhaps played the biggest role in my journey. She was a violinist and listened to a broad scale of music from Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall to Bachata/Salsa. She was the reason I picked up the violin at such a young age.
Love to hear Mom having a major impact on your passion! You told me you used to work in Hip-Hop more, can you elaborate on why you made the switch to EDM in more detail?
Yes!! So, I started in hip hop, and in a short time I was Able to land residencies at some of the top clubs in the city and ultimately was able to land the position of tour DJ for many major artists I’ve DJ’d for Lil Durk, Kevin Gates, Gucci Mane, The Lox, 50Cent, Shawty Lo (RIP), and many more. However, I realized when I was in these different cities that DJs were only looked at as “the artist's sidekick” and I felt my presence being completely undermined. Also, I just had a love for House and Dance music and I just wanted to be my own person, my own name. To be able to rock a party every night and to not have to play the same songs….Playing my own tracks and edits and rocking…That creative freedom is like no other!
Strengths and weaknesses of the Baltimore music scene:
The history and originality put Baltimore up there with many other major music cities like Chicago and New York. Some of the biggest artists and songs were influenced by the Baltimore scene. The biggest weakness is that nobody recent has been able to capitalize on a major level AND create momentum for others in the scene. Most that breakthrough end up leaving.
Similarly but through a broader scope, the pros and cons of making music in this particular era versus others:
The biggest pro about making music in this era is that you’re able to reach areas outside of the area VERY quickly. The con is that so many people are doing it as well. And many people have musical ADD which means YOU need to KEEP supplying your base with GOOD music.
Factuals regarding the consistency for the beloved algorithms! Favorite artists in the Baltimore scene:
DJ THOMMY DAVIS, ULTRA NATE , and Toney Douglass
DAW of choice as a producer:
Ableton for edits, Logic for full projects, and Pro Tools for mastering
Tell me about your stage show. How does it differ from the recorded product?
The stage show is balls to the wall pandemonium haha. I usually never do recorded sets. So when I'm playing live, I'm usually winging it haha.
Biggest influences as a producer and DJ:
The biggest people that’s had an influence would be Louie Vega, Carnage, Supa Dj Big L Dj Irie.
Where are you in a year? In five years? What’s your ultimate goal in this shit?
This time next year, I would just like to have enough songs to where I can ROCK an entire 4hr party with just my tracks. I would also like to play consistently in at least 2 different markets doing entire sets of 90% of my own original music.
In 5 years, I would just love to have an extensive catalog with collabs alongside some of my favorite artists. I want to be able to travel the world partying/ creating meaningful experiences with amazing people.
We are speaking into existence and manifesting! Another 5…5 desert island albums you can’t go without:
Jay-Z “Reasonable Doubt,” Daft Punk “Discovery,” Louie Vega “Ny Disco,” Earth. Wind & “Fire All n All,” and Drake “Take Care.”
“Reasonable Doubt” is also on my list! Favorite song you’ve done to date? Favorite collaboration? Dream collaboration?
I haven’t done any collabs yet. MY DREAM collab would be with either Major Lazer or Tems.
Tell me about your proudest accomplishments to date:
Blowing the roof of the BSW arena for an EDM show in South Carolina.
Let’s close this the literary way. Name something that best symbolizes you: A dolphin haha. The Life of the party, love helping others but can be very defensive if you try to hurt me or those I love.
Stadium sounds! This has been a privilege bro; I rock with you heavy and know we’re gonna continue to find ways to build together!! Please tell the people where to find you and whatever else you want them to know:
Any and every social media and music platform at DJ ALLURE.
I’m your friendly neighborhood MC Bravado; many thanks for reading. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and/or your favorite place to grab music. Please remember to be kind to one another and that “Michael Jordan is the GOAT” is a fact and not an opinion.
