Few electronic artists can match the stage presence and energy of DJ BL3ND. In the short time he’s pursued his career, the Los Angeles native has created one of the most loyal followings of any DJ. With a staggering 360 million YouTube views, 1 million YouTube subscribers, and more than 4 million Facebook followers, DJ BL3ND has won legions of superfans (known as BL3NDERS) across the globe with his exuberant viral videos and electrifying live sets.
DJ BL3ND’s road to success was not easy. With the steady creation of crazy videos and high energy mixes, he built a career out of nothing into an internationally acclaimed DJ act by gathering a global fanbase of BL3NDERS. In 2009, he was catapulted into the public eye with his Club Mix YouTube video where he donned his signature mask. The video racked up over 80 million hits and DJ BL3ND was born. Within 3 years, he was playing clubs and festivals around the US (including Electric Zoo, Spring Awakening and Electric Adventure) and in the process, creating one of the most engaging live shows of any touring artist. There’s a certain energy to his performances that you don’t get with a normal DJ. Whether it’s for a club of 300 people or a festival of 20,000, DJ BL3ND never fails to electrify audiences with his high-octane mixing and passionate crowd interaction.
Why do you wear the mask?
I started wearing it because when I started making my videos, my parents didn’t want me to expose my face. I had to cover it up somehow so I just put on the first mask that I had in my closet.
Many of your fans ask why you wear a different mask during every show? Can you explain the reasoning behind this?
Wearing a mask to every show is always different and cool. I decided to wear a mask for no reason, the idea just came to me, I thought it would be hype. Every so often I like to change my masks and get them made in different ways. Its like a hair cut, your always trying different styles. Behind the mask isn’t DJ BL3ND, only when wearing the mask i am the real DJ. The name DJ Bl3nd came up because I blend music together.
Your music is a bass-heavy mix of Electro, Dubstep and Electro House. How would you describe your own music in just a few words?
I describe my music and mixes to be Wild, Insane, Crazy, Fun. That’s why all my mixes are always named this way haha. I put name to my mixes to describe the music and video together 🙂
What has changed for you over years of struggle to being the brand name you are?
Each year that passes helps me evolve as an artist. I like to always deliver something new and fresh to my fans.
Which DJ/ musician/ producer you would like to work with?
I would like to work with the singers from System of a Down- Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian. I really enjoy their music a whole lot.
You have over 5 million combine followers on Facebook and Twitter. That’s more than some big name DJ’s. How does it feel?
It’s great to have that many fans. I just keep doing my thing. I just keep doing me and doing what I do. I keep getting the support from more Bl3nders, is what I call my fans.
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
The best gigs are really all my shows. I get to always rage with my fans in different places around the world, so for me that is really awesome!! Every night i make it the best night possible for my fans who are there. The worst gig would be only when the sound system is not good in the venue. That doesn’t usually happen though, because I make sure to play a venue that my fans will like. The funniest thing that occurred to me was when my fans were getting me naked when I crowed surf at one of my shows haha.
At a young age you discovered your passion and love for music. What is the best advice for our generation you can offer considering everybody wants to become a successful DJ?
Do it for the love of music and be passionate with what you have. The more practice you get, the better you will become. Everything is about trial and error, either you work with your mistakes or you don’t. Being motivated to work hard is key when it comes to producing and making your own music. What I advise to our youth is to never give up, if you are so passionate about becoming a DJ/Producer you will work extremely hard to get where you want to be.
https://soundcloud.com/djbl3nd/bodies-feat-jon-howard-dj-bl3nd
Growing up as a teenager, what types of music did you listen to? How did your love for House expand this much?
I had a very big variety of music I used listened to. From Rock, Rap, Mexican Music, Country music to House, I listened to it all. I feel in love with Electronic Music because of how much energy it had compared to all the other music I’d heard. This electronic energy is what I live for and this is the energy our generation is adapting to. My fans love all the jumping, all the raving all the craziness this music gives off.