Put your hands up if you're a DJ. Okay, keep them up if you're also a producer… and rap… and are a motivational speaker. If you're being honest, not many have your hands up still. But if you're CLOCKWORKDJ, your hand stayed up the whole time, probably giving the guy next to you a high five as you waited. Of course, as a DJ, it's your job to keep the party going and people entertained but CLOCKWORKDJ is determined to make sure that his legacy goes far beyond the turntables at the next big party.
Born Garrett Uddin, CLOCKWORKDJ has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right, over the last 5 years. You may have seen him tear it down at a local college party, or racing segways on MTV for Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family, or burning one down with your favorite rapper backstage. But wherever you see him, just remember that he has a lot more going on in his mind than his cheerful demeanor leads you to believe. It all started when the Cincinnati native first saw Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" music video on TV at the age of 12. He knew he wanted to be the DJ on top of the large bottoms. On top of that, moments like seeing Jam Master Jay DJing for Run DMC and shows like YO! MTV RAPS and Video Music Box made it clear that the way of the DJ was the one for him. And although he hasn't "bought a set of turntables on a giant butt yet, but I doooooo…. like big butts and I CAN NOT LIE!"
When he finally could afford two Gemini belt drive turntables with a Gemini 2 channel mixer at 14, his love for the new hobby was met with some technical issues. Without a computer, internet, or even a DJ manual (he threw it away), his turntables sat and collected dust for almost 2 years before he started practicing. He confesses that he was, "stubborn and had to figure it all out the hard way." It helped that he grew up in a rich DJ scene in Cincinnati with guys like The Animal Crackers and Mr. Dibbs. He had Scribble Jam to look forward to every year. Most of all, he had spiritual guidance from Hi-Tek: "I connected with his music the most, it was therapeutic to my soul." Soon enough, he was at his high school's homecoming dance, picking through his recycling bins full of vinyl and playing Mystikal’s “Shake Ya Ass” almost every hour. As for his name, he earned the moniker "Clockwork" from his older brother since he would get into trouble at school like clockwork. He explained the evolution to CLOCKWORKDJ as such:
"Clockwork is my name. Clockwork is the Artist. DJ is what I’ve mastered. It’s my backbone--my foundation. So CLOCKWORKDJ is the evolution of DJ CLOCKWORK. The DJ is last because it’s what everything reverts back to. It’s the beginning of me."
After moving onto college at the University of Cincinnati, DJing was still a large part of his life, especially after meeting Sean Herron, a local event promoter. But it took a detour in his early career to set him straight on chasing his dreams instead of a quick buck. Before a run in with the law, he admits, "there were times in my life where I wanted to give up, and take a break from DJing. I got frustrated with it. I was concentrated more on college at the time. Once I got arrested it just put things in perspective for me. It was either follow your heart and be happy or listen to you mind and become a miserable. I think I made the right choice." Through Sean and with a clear heart and mind, he would regularly DJ 18+ clubs as well as go on a tour with Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli. But the pivotal moment for his career was when a fairly new rapper named Mac Miller started gaining buzz in Pittsburgh and Sean made the intros between the young talent. It was a matter of time before they started to reap the benefits of their combined skills on and off the stage.
Produced by CLOCKWORKDJ
Now that season 2 of Most Dope Family has wrapped up, CLOCKWORKDJ has been dedicating most of his time to his upcoming debut album. It seems like he has a clear vision of what he wants his album to sound like, after releasing a compilation tape on 4/20 earlier this year. He gave us a little info on the top secret project: "I've been working on this album all my life, and it’s finally ready to be shared with the world. There are lots of surprises on this album. I can’t really spill the Beans on everything, but I can tell you it is a very soulful album that has a lot of bounce. It’s a trip around the galaxy." And when he does manage to find time to spare, it all goes towards his company C.H.R.O.N.O LLC and coming up with a range of merchandise for his fans.
In a musical landscape where people sit behind keyboards at home, debating what a DJ should be when it comes to abilities, appearance, and demeanor behind the turntables at a live show, Clockwork sticks to his definition that goes back to the very roots of the profession:
"A DJ is a quarterback, a general, and a captain. You don’t have to be the best turntablist or have the best mixes to be a great DJ. A great DJ should be able to take people to a world different than the one they’re currently living in. You have to be able to read the crowd and adapt quickly, which isn’t easy. You are the main catalyst to people having a great time. Everyone has tons of different shit going on in their lives, and sometimes they want to go out and just forget everything while they dance the night away. That power is in your hands as a DJ."
As for those who need a quick pick me up and can't quite afford CLOCKWORKDJ to speak at their graduation this year, here's a wise word for you: "Follow your heart, ignore the mind."
Last Call
1. What is your favorite movie of all time?I have my top 3 I can give you, in no particular order. The Sandlot, Training Day, Money Talks.
2. As a young DJ, who was the one DJ you looked up to?DJ Jazzy Jeff!
3. As a DJ, what's your biggest pet peeve?Requests and clubs/bars who don’t have in house equipment.
4. What is your current DJ set up at home?2 Tech[nics] Turntables and a Rane 62 Mixer
5. What's your favorite record of all time?Mark Morrison – "Return of the Mack"
Keep up with Clockwork on his Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Check out his upcoming shows on his website.