I've Had Plenty of Unpaid Internships

"i've had plenty of unpaid interns myself that have worked under me throughout my entire career. There was no way i could afford to pay them," he said. "I think it's a really important distinction for everybody listening in the music industry."

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Today my guest is DJ Swivel. He is a producer, engineer, songwriter, most notably for BTS, Beyonce, The Chainsmokers, Mary J Blige, Kanye West, Fabolous, Bow Wow, Redman, Jay-Z, Ghostface Killah, Mariah Carey. The list goes on.

We talked a lot about getting started in the industry as a producer and engineer, and what it takes and what it means. He discusses diversifying your business and what it means to make it in the new music business, of course the final question I ask everybody. His answer was really interesting.

We also go deep into the LA vs. New York vs. Atlanta vs. Nashville vs. Miami discussion. He gave some really great insight as to what the scenes are shaping up to look like and why he moved from New York to LA. I really enjoyed our conversation. I learned a lot. I think you're going to dig this conversation.

DJ Swivel's Story Time on The Chainsmokers: https://youtu.be/XcYtTuHzv6Q

Quick links:

3:16 - Working remotely and how DJ Swivel has accommodated

9:26 - Co-founding SKIO Music and where his entrepreneurial spirit came from

16:55 - Winning a Grammy does not mean you're set for life: advice for making sacrifices in your music career

23:00 - Getting started as a producer in 2021 and being raised to treat money with respect

34:20 - The ethics of unpaid internships

46:18 - DJ Swivel's plugin business

54:32 - How DJ Swivel has sought out feedback and criticism over the years

57:35 - Why DJ Swivel left New York and what his thoughts are on the various music hubs around the US

1:06:17 - What it means to DJ Swivel to make it in the new music business

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