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This Week We Feature Young Professional Birchfield B. Lettsome

Birchfield Burton Lettsome, more popularly known by the name DJ Bertrum, knows how to keep life sweet by feeding us with the food of love- music. 'If music be the food of love play on,' the Shakespearean saying goes and DJ Bertrum just keeps playing on. Photo: Provided
DJ Bertrum has earned the spot of being featured as this week's Young Professional not just for his beat of having the headphone on, a microphone in his hand and fingers on the turntable, but because this Young Professional is a successful and exceptional young man who has an admirable work ethic and ambitious mentality that qualify him as a worthy role model for the Virgin Islands youth. Photo: Provided.
DJ Bertrum has earned the spot of being featured as this week's Young Professional not just for his beat of having the headphone on, a microphone in his hand and fingers on the turntable, but because this Young Professional is a successful and exceptional young man who has an admirable work ethic and ambitious mentality that qualify him as a worthy role model for the Virgin Islands youth. Photo: Provided.
More than just a DJ! Birchfield Burton Lettsome aka DJ Bertrum is the CEO and founder of TWIsM Entertainment Group. Photo: Provided
More than just a DJ! Birchfield Burton Lettsome aka DJ Bertrum is the CEO and founder of TWIsM Entertainment Group. Photo: Provided
DJ Bertrum attended the BVI High School but dropped out of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) having completed two years in the S.M.A.R.T. Business Academy Entreprenuership Programme and shared the Valedictorian Award. Photo: Provided
DJ Bertrum attended the BVI High School but dropped out of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) having completed two years in the S.M.A.R.T. Business Academy Entreprenuership Programme and shared the Valedictorian Award. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, DJ Bertrum, is in St Martin at the Goodness Summer Madness 6 for the 6th year in a row. On Wednesday night, July 29, 2015 he was the featured MC and will be on the turntable come tonight and Sunday night. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, DJ Bertrum, is in St Martin at the Goodness Summer Madness 6 for the 6th year in a row. On Wednesday night, July 29, 2015 he was the featured MC and will be on the turntable come tonight and Sunday night. Photo: Provided
DJ Bertrum is internationally recognised as a performer and media personality and stands out from your regular DJ in the music industry. His ability to give the audience, whether it be radio, television or club, what they are looking for is second to none. This makes him in great demand as a deejay and event host throughout the Caribbean, United States and Europe. Photo: Provided
DJ Bertrum is internationally recognised as a performer and media personality and stands out from your regular DJ in the music industry. His ability to give the audience, whether it be radio, television or club, what they are looking for is second to none. This makes him in great demand as a deejay and event host throughout the Caribbean, United States and Europe. Photo: Provided
By Cathy O. O. Richards

Birchfield Burton Lettsome, more popularly known by the name DJ Bertrum, knows how to keep life sweet by feeding us with the food of love- music. "If music be the food of love play on," the Shakespearean saying goes, and DJ Bertrum just keeps playing on.

DJ Bertrum has earned the spot of being featured as this week's Young Professional not just for his beat of having the headphone on, a microphone in his hand and fingers on the turntable, but because this Young Professional is a successful and exceptional young man who has an admirable work ethic and ambitious mentality that qualify him as a worthy role model for the Virgin Islands youth.

When this feature hits the internet world, our Young Professional would be in St Martin at the Goodness Summer Madness 6 for the 6th year in a row. On Wednesday night, July 29, 2015 he was the featured MC and will be on the turntable come tonight and Sunday night.

"That is after I did my part for my own country's Festival. I deejayed two nights at the village (Patsy lake Festiville) before flying out to do this,” he said, speaking from St Martin.

DJ Bertrum, as he prefers to be called in this feature, is a 29-year-old entertainment personality who hails from the eastern end of the island of Tortola. He was born in the US Virgin Islands.

He is internationally recognised as a performer and media personality and stands out from your regular DJ in the music industry. His ability to give the audience, whether it be radio, television or club, what they are looking for is second to none. This makes him in great demand as a deejay and event host throughout the Caribbean, United States and Europe.

His mother was a school teacher while his father was a general manager at The Moorings and also a preacher and morning devotion radio personality.

Unexpected turn of events

DJ Bertrum attended the then BVI High School but dropped out of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) after completing two years in the S.M.A.R.T. Business Academy Entreprenuership Programme where he shared the Valedictorian Award.

"In 2005, while I was pursuing my Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at HLSCC, my dad died [and] that derailed me from my studies. I had plans to return but 2005 ended up a major turning point in my life. I lost my dad in February and became a dad in December, resigned from my 9-5 [job] that year as well and then my DJ career made a rapid increase‎," DJ Bertrum said while reflecting on the bond he shared with his dad who he saw as his guiding light and stronghold.

How his deejaying all began!

His musical journey began when as a young man he would mix CDs and provide entertainment for many parties in the area, including school dances and house parties. As his talent grew musically, DJ Bertrum decided to pursue a career as a deejay.

He quickly became known for his ability to connect with the crowd by combining current hits with old school classics in his unique style he described as “Party Vibes”- an upbeat mixture of Dancehall, Calypso, Zouk, R&B, and Hip Hop.

When asked what his career dreams were growing up, DJ Bertrum shared that upon entering high school he wanted to be a business owner. As he grew older his dreams didn't change but shifted into his purpose. "The only thing that changed is the business I get involved in. At that time I didn't know I was going to be a Dj/promoter or any of it," he said.

Hard work brings rewards

With a work ethic unparalleled to most, DJ Bertrum has shown that he is one determined young man who has a good understanding of music and customer needs. "I am more than just a DJ, I'm the CEO and founder of TWIsM Entertainment Group where we promote parties that I Dj at. In the past we did 'Grown and Sexy Saturdays' which most notably had 3 successful New Year's Eve parties and Temptation Island annual event. I have an endorsement with CCT, and am also the CEO of Sultry Sounds entertainment where we produce shows based around live performances where myself and Jeremy Vanterpool head that company. We have had 3 successful dinner and dance type events and I'm currently pursuing diversifying in some other ventures I can't disclose at this time."

DJ Bertrum’s services include Master of Ceremonies, Deejaying (Concert, Club or Radio), Mixtape Hosting, Commercial Voiceovers, Graphic Design, Event Planning and Promotions.

His ability to electrify crowds has been experienced in the club and concert circuit alike in places outside of the VI including Anguilla, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas, St Croix, Aruba, the Bahamas, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, London and Coventry, UK. DJ Bertrum can be heard throughout the week on ZVCR 106.9 (www.ZVCR1069fm.com) on the Heineken After Party, a two hour mix show. Bertrum also releases a weekly podcast entitled Music Mondays for his loving fans.

Humble

Though successful on many levels, DJ Bertrum remains grounded. He is quoted as saying, “Making it is progressive; I don’t think I will ever feel like I’ve made it because when you think you’re on top it relaxes you. There is always something you can do better or something new for you to learn.”

DJ Bertrum credits his success to his mentor DJ Wiz and all the DJs that laid the groundwork for his craft.

Credits

Through an established business relationship with Heineken, DJ Bertrum was entrusted to organise, promote, and host the 1st Heineken Green Synergy Competition in 2005. Other notable credits to his name include: The Guinness Black & White Affair, ZVCR’s Wet Fete/Anniversary Parties, the Rotaract’s Annual Blue Jeans Party, VI beauty pageants, VI Easter, Music and August festivals, his very own Grown & Sexy Saturdays, annual Birthday Bash and much loved New Year’s Eve Party. Most recently he travelled with the BVI Tourist Board to London to promote the VI as well as playing for the VI's promotion of the Wendy Williams show.

His credits as an entertainer and DJ include stage time, alongside famed entertainers such as: Damian Marley, Wyclef Jean, Keyshia Cole, Cecile, Ding Dong, Elephant Man, Nina Sky, Demarco, T.O.K., DJ Enuff, Sizzla, Gregory Isaacs, Tony Matterhorn, Shurwayne Winchester, Pressure, Daddy Yankee, Tanya Stephens, Baby Cham, Mr Vegas, Capleton, and countless others. He has also backed the following artists: Iyaz, Lincoln Ward, Calypso Rose, the Mighty Sparrow, DTM Boys, Kissinger, and Rock City.

He has made Cameo appearances on The One (Lincoln Ward), Soca Pledge (Showtime Band), From the VI (Squad Up), R U Listening, and Baddest Man (Benny Demus). Also, his musical credits include the Shadyville Caribbean Mix CD, The One Riddim, Seduction the Mixtape (Lincoln Ward), More Music Less Talk Mixtape, On the Road Festival Remix (2006), Riddim Fe Dem Ultra Dancehall Mix 2007, Time Travel Hip Hop/R&B, Absolutely Captivating (vocals) with DJ Riquo, Xtreme Band’s (Locked and Loaded Album), NYE2011 Mixtape (with DJ Riquo), Xtreme Band’s 2011 Single Grown & Sexy (Vocals) and B'more's Conversations Vol.1.

Impacting the local music industry

For someone of such a young age, DJ Bertrum has made a monumental impact on the local music industry. When not traveling, he continues to rock the masses throughout the Virgin Islands whether it’s on the radio, television, or in the club. DJ Bertrum’s party vibes can be heard every second Saturday at Prospect Reef at the popular Grown & Sexy Saturdays. He is also known to have frequented spots such as: Club Renaissance, Club Diplomat, Limers, Virgin Queen, UP's Cineplex, Rock Cafe, Bottoms Up, Quito's, Caribbean Rock Club Nuvo - St Thomas, and the Treehouse.

His advice to youth is: "‎I would say stay humble. Set goals, work hard and consistently at them. Don't ever feel that you are entitled, earn what you want to achieve. Embrace the hard times as well, lots of lessons to be learned from them. Stay the course and ten years later you will look back and not even realise how far you made it from. And always remember there is more to go, more things to learn. But work at being the best you can be at all times."

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