Part-time DJ and Insurance Underwriter, Christen A. Glasgow aka 'DJ Marz' has big dreams to be a Corporate Lawyer, however, the COVID-19 pandemic he said, has delivered a major blow to his income and has caused him to take a step back. Photo: Provided

Christen A. Glasgow goes by the name DJ Marz in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

He said the inspiration to enter the DJ Scene came from a natural love for music and playing musical instruments, 'I grew up around music. My dad is a musician and music came naturally to me. Before Djing, I played the Bass guitar and a bit of piano. However, in 2015 I joined the ESHS Ram’s Radio initiative where I was trained by DJs Dre and Bertrum to become a disc jockey." Photo: Provided

Life is a balancing act he notes, saying that as part of living and growing he realised that one must have to find confidence in themselves. Photo: Provided

To other youths looking to peruse a passion, he said, do what makes you happy and live life for you, 'Sometimes we as young people may not receive the support that we want, especially from our parents and peers. This in return hinders us from going after what we really want in life.' Photo: Provided

“My job as an insurance underwriter has not really been affected. Despite what is going on you will always need insurance; however, business as a DJ took a hit,” he told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).

COVID-19 & Career

As a worker on the forefront of the VI’s entertainment industry, he said his DJing career has now been brought to a halt, “I have not been able to DJ publicly since the first lockdown. I have also become accustomed to having multiple incomes, so depending on only one has become a bit of a challenge.”

“Prior to the pandemic, I was usually always absent from my house. I was either working, DJing or socialising. I was always on the go. I would say that the pandemic has blessed my family life. It caused me to slow down and spend more time with family,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Our Young Professional says he thinks the government has been doing an outstanding job so far, given the current situation.

“I applaud them for making the tough decisions to protect us and keep the BVI safe. I don’t think there is anything else that can be implemented at this point. In order to fully reopen internally and get back to normal, we have to rid the BVI of all signs of the pandemic and I think we are on our way to achieving that.”

Passion for Music

Hope Hill resident Mr Glasgow attended the Agape Total Life Academy before transitioning to the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) where he graduated in 2018.

“I am currently attending HLSCC,” he told VINO when questioned about his academic life. At the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Mr Glasgow is currently studying Business Administration and may also move towards a Bachelor's in Finance in the future. 

“My current main hobby/interest is Djing and producing. Many persons know Marz the DJ but not Marz the producer. The producer that orchestrated many remixes and mashups.

Outside of the DJ career; however, Mr Glasgow works as an Underwriter at Caribbean Insurers Ltd (CIL) and is known to provide musical entertainment for various events and special occasions, “I also produce radio advertisements along with mixes and mashups for cheerleading and dance groups,” he said.

“I enjoy making persons happy. I think that music is a powerful tool in the creation of peace and happiness. The feeling of entertaining a crowd of people with my talent is like no other. It gives a sort of high, I get the same high even when practising in my room for no one but myself. I just enjoy music in itself.”

Finding Confidence

Turning attention to challenges, our Young Professional said, “The most challenging part is having a full-time job that is demanding while going to college doing full-time credits. It is hard to balance all three parts of my life and giving each equal attention. Sometimes I have to know when to give certain parts of the spotlight for a moment also.”

Life is a balancing act he notes, saying that as part of living and growing he realised that one must have to find confidence in themselves.

“I still have not fully mastered it [confidence] but I have discovered that in order for me to play well, I have to be confident and trust my instincts. Comparing when I first started Djing to where I am now, the biggest noticeable difference is confidence.”

He said the inspiration to enter the DJing arena came from a natural love for music and playing musical instruments, “I grew up around music. My dad is a musician and music came naturally to me. Before Djing, I played the Bass guitar and a bit of piano. However, in 2015 I joined the ESHS Ram’s Radio initiative where I was trained by DJs Dre and Bertrum to become a disc jockey.”

He said at Rams’ Radio, he was also an on-air Radio Personality, “when I graduated in 2018, I wanted to do something more with my life. I got the idea to capitalise on the skills I have learned and from there DJ Marz took off.”

Outside of his busy career and entertainment life, DJ Marz is also a member of the ‘Lets Fuze VI Team,’ “I am one of the in-house DJ’s and I also do production.”

He is also a member of the 3K Promotionz team, a business started back in high school with Former Young Professional D’Andre R.A. Young, along with Shea Cameron, “We eventually added one other member, Ronnique McMillan and hosted four events between 2017 and 2018,” he said.

Our young professional said the group started the business from saving, with him saving from afternoon jobs with enough money to eventually buy a MacBook Air and other equipment.

Keeping a Back-up Plan

Mr Glasgow said his life has also had to take a major adjusting since DJing and Insurance were not always the plan. “Before discovering the possibility of being an entertainer, I was taking the usual path of just going to school and seeking a career in something like Law.”

Those plans have not been abandoned, “I am a strong believer in back-up plans and having multiple options. I am currently trying to obtain a Bachelor’s in Finance and taking that even further to study Corporate Law,” he underscored.

Our Young Professional noted, “I am going with the flow of life, trying to take advantage of what opportunities come my way, whether these opportunities are in the entertainment world or the scholastic one.”

He said what keeps him focused is the goal to become a household name in the Virgin Islands, fuelled by a love for music and watching other professional DJs and wanting to achieve the same skills they possess.

“I see myself becoming a household name and brand in the Caribbean and possibly further. I want to use my love of music and my talents to see the word and meet different persons.”

Parting advice

To other youths looking to pursue a passion, Mr Glasgow said, do what makes you happy and live life for you, “Sometimes we as young people may not receive the support that we want, especially from our parents and peers. This in return hinders us from going after what we really want in life.”

He said parents and peers are there as guidance and for advice; however, they cannot live your life for you.

“Whatever you choose you will have to live with. Are you choosing to make them happy or to make yourself happy? I say, choose what makes you happy if you’re happy then that is all that matters.”

He also said discipline and practice are key, and that in everything you do in life, you have to be disciplined because nothing comes overnight.

“If you are looking to learn or master a skill, you have to be disciplined and put in the time to practice. I lacked discipline in pursuing my first passion for the bass guitar, I chose to break that chain and be disciplined in my current passion of Djing. I still have not mastered it, but I have made great progress from the first time around.”

Mr Glasgow is also a brand ambassador for CCT, a telecoms provider in the VI and said June 2020 will make two years in the entertainment business.

Several regional and international artists he has shared the stage with includes, Christopher Martin, Motto, Noah Powa, Rock City, Verse Simmonds, Dexta Daps, DJ Private Ryan, Kes the Band and Blax.