DJ Berrie
Miami.com celebrated its one-year anniversary Feb. 20 at LIV in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and working the turntables was 22-year-old sensation DJ Berrie. Just two years removed from spinning in his mother’s basement, David Berrie has been called upon by the likes of Kanye West, 50 Cent, Giselle Bundchen, and Shaquille O’Neal to play music at their exclusive bashes. He’s also performed in France, England, Italy, Mexico, and Croatia in recent months and his unique blends have made him a regular at red carpet soirees for clients including Victoria’s Secret, Veuve Clicquot, and GQ. We caught up with him before he turned up the energy at LIV.
We’ve read you don’t use headphones when you spin. Why that choice?
Ha ha ha. People always ask me about that. I don’t need them. Everyone finds it strange, but I learned to DJ without headphones. I might be the only one that doesn’t use them.
What’s playing in your iPod right now?
Kat DeLuna f/ Lil Wayne – Unstoppable
O’Neal McKnight f/ Busta Rhymes & Ron Browz – Champagne Red Lights
Simian Mobile Disco – I Believe
La Roux – Fascination
If you could play a special event for a guest list of three, where would it be, who would be the three guests and why?
I’d like to play at the White House. I’d invite Barack Obama, Megan Fox, and Stevie Wonder. It’d be rude not to invite Barack… it’s his house. Megan Fox, well, would enhance the aesthetics of the event, and Stevie Wonder is simply the greatest.
Everyone likes to think they can be a DJ. What one piece of advice would you give to those who want to take a serious crack at the business?
I think everyone thinks they can be a DJ because everyone has favorite songs. To be successful, a DJ needs to understand his audience and their favorite songs.
How has your Asian heritage influenced your music career?
I don’t think my Asian heritage has played a big role in my career, but I take great pride in it and hope that I can be a positive example for other Asian DJs/producers. I’ve gotten a few messages on MySpace from aspiring Asian DJs saying that they’re happy to see an Asian DJ playing at high profile events. If I can provide them a little motivation, it makes me very happy.
Where does your energy that your shows are notorious for come from?
I think the energy comes from the crowd much more than it comes from me. I think once I can locate the pulse of the crowd, they’re the ones that create the energy. Every audience is unique and I think the parties I play are high energy because I really work to find what will help them take the party to the next level.
LIV is becoming quite the spot for DJs to play. What is it about that place?
It’s a DJs dream. The DJ is center stage, it’s a huge room, and the people there really want to have a great time. It’s my favorite club in the country to play these days.
When you are in Miami, what’s your guilty pleasure?
Prime 112 and Pasha’s. I could eat at those two restaurants for the rest of my life. I probably get stuck spending a little too much money at Barney’s too. Hahaha.
This story was originally published February 20, 2009 at 4:02 AM.