Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalil Stroud.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as a DJ started well before I even thought about becoming one myself. My older cousin DJ Gorgeous, is a well-established DJ in the industry and i’ve been watching her since I was in middle school. As I got older I started following her around more and more, just to get out of the house but I never took it serious or saw myself becoming a DJ. Fast forward many years later, I went through a pretty rough time in my life, was struggling to find myself again, and looking for something to reinvigorate my drive.
Last year in October, we hosted a pre-release album listening party for Pede’s Album “Stay The Course” where I booked a DJ to set the vibes and play the project at a set time. After the party we reviewed the night from top to bottom, and one thing stuck out to the guys that I didn’t see in myself. They basically told me “You could have did what the DJ did, if not better.” I thought to myself and they were right. I had the knowledge, the ear for music, and the skills were lying dormant. All I lacked was the equipment.
So, the next day I called Gorgeous and said “I really want to learn how to DJ”, and she told me she had been waiting on me to say that to her for years. For the next seven months I locked in, started shadowing Gorgeous with intent, and applied all the game i’ve soaked up over the years into developing what I feel has been there all along. My first official gig was in May of this year and i’ve hit the ground running since. Now you can catch me at various venues around Birmingham, and one day, you’ll be able to vibe with me in your very own city as I continue to perfect my craft and the Street Dreamer brand becomes definitive and well-respected!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it’s been a relatively smooth road. It’s been a challenge to reframe my mindset to becoming a student again. I haven’t been to school in a while. I’m a naturally introverted person, so networking and putting myself out there has been a bit of a challenge I am still overcoming.
I also had my first ‘failure’ as a DJ in August. I was booked to mix at a local restaurants’ one year anniversary. They used a sound system I was unfamiliar with and it took over an hour trying to figure it out. As guests begin to arrive I decided to pivot into using my own speakers, but faced issues with placement and disrupting guests experience due to where I was placed in the venue. After it was apparent that it wasn’t a good experience, I was told to cut my music and they would proceed with playing a playlist off of an iPad. Now even though I don’t believe it was completely my fault, I was infuriated. I had prepared a setlist that took me hours and I was excited for the amazing opportunity to play at this restaurant, but it didn’t work out and it crushed me.
Fortunately, doors won’t always close because of a mistake when you remain calm, handle yourself with professionalism, and take accountability. I believe I will get the opportunity to redeem myself!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a open-format DJ with an incredible ear for music. I specialize in setting the vibes wherever i’m at, as I have a great feel for my crowds and I know how to get them up and moving. I believe I was born in a perfect era. I have a taste today’s sound as music continues to evolve and I can go back into the 90’s, 80’s and the 70’s, mixing music from different times in the world seamlessly to entertain a crowd of all ages. As of now I play my sets at local spots and private events in and around Birmingham. Since I am still fairly new, I have a open-minded approach to what a DJ can actually be. Not claiming to break the mold or do something that hasn’t been done before, but I surely believe I will do something special. However, the ultimate goal is to tour the country and the world as my brother Pede P’s personal DJ.
Outside of being a DJ, I am the program director for ZeroZero Foundation, a non-profit organization serving at-risk and underprivileged youth in Birmingham. Our mission is to leverage sports as a vehicle to diversify a child’s career potential and enrich their lives. What that means is we strive day in and day out to provide support, access, and opportunity for our kids on their path to pursue their dreams, whatever that looks like! Starting as early as six years old, we work with our youth to ensure they are properly equipped to reach the heights they set out to touch.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about my city is even though we are a small city compared to the likes of Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, etc. We have big city ambitions and if you are truly tapped in, there isn’t a place on Earth like the Magic City. We carry so much history in this city of ours, I just love where i’m from.
What I like least about my city is the lack of support. I feel like if more people in Birmingham cared about the city and supported the talent we have here, we could easily become the next city to consistently produce amazing music talent, then push the movements into other markets, and establish ourselves as a city people have to take serious and respect. There’s a lot of “crabs in a bucket” mentalities here, people don’t really want to see you win if it’s not with them. Although, when the people love you, they show love the long way!
Pricing:
- Standard Rate starting @ $50/hour
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dj.rsdmula
- Facebook: Kalil DJ-Mula Stroud
- Youtube: @officialdjmula
