You may have heard this DJ mixing it up on WILD 104.9, his weekly home away from home at Flux on Saturdays. This master of the decks has lead a dynamic career. Branded as the “King of Clubs”, Diverse has held residences at just about every nightlife destination in OKC. We had the opportunity to sit down with DJ Diverse…here’s the scoop after the jump.
Talk to us about your first gig in Bricktown and the state of OKC’s entertainment Mecca at the time.
My first gig Bricktown was at an 18 to enter after hours club called OZ in 1995. I was 18. The first MAPS plan just passed. There wasn’t even a canal or baseball park at the time. It was on California Ave. which is now where the canal starts. It’s nice to see the progress the district has made. But I will say for me, it’s lost the local appeal it had back then. It’s basically a tourist trap now. When I run into out of town tourist that ask me where to go, I send them to Bricktown, .Whether that is a good or bad thing depends on who you talk to I guess.
From breaking the ground for new hotels to the new commercial establishments invading Bricktown, what’s your take on our commercial growth?
It’s obviously good for big business and good for OKC as far as tax revenue. I’m sure we will keep seeing more and more corporate/franchise names moving in. But as someone who was there in the beginning, I do miss the old gritty local feel it once had.
As a career DJ in OKC, we are sure that you’ve witnessed nightlife trends come and go. Are there any that you would like to highlight or even re-establish?
I miss the days of no fun police. As long as no one gets hurt or no property damage is done, what’s the problem with cutting loose and having some fun? Life is short. Have fun.
Your long running nightlife affair at Flux titled “Boombox” has grown exponentially. How did this excursion into dance euphoria come about?
I have had many offers from others in OKC over the years to partner up on a club venture. I was always hesitant. Believe it or not there a lot of shady characters in the club/promotion business. When my partner Mike Wise approached me about teaming up a little over a year ago it was the first time I ever gave it serious consideration. It has always ben a dream of mine to have a place of my own or with someone who was the right fit to work with. Since Mike and I are about the same age, we grew up in the same OKC club/rave scene. I knew he was a genuine good guy and that we see eye to eye on what we envision for the OKC scene. We scraped together what we had and the rest is history.
With Boombox’s success at full tilt, what’s next for you as host/DJ?
Right now I’m fully focused on FLUX with Mike. We have place to keep pushing to bigger and better things. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.
From winning the Red Bull 3 Style to hosting a long running mix show on 104.9, you’ve accomplished some dynamic feats in your career. What in your opinion is essentially the key to your sustainability and relevancy?
OKC is my home. I knew it always would be at an early age,. I never had the desire to move away and chase the egotistical dream of being a “superstar DJ”. Since day one I’ve always wanted to help make my city better. I would say staying here and embracing my hometown played a big factor. That along with always trying to practice and get better at what I do. You can always be better.
Any words of wisdom for those aspiring artist out there?
Only doit if it’s a real passion and you truly love it. If you are in it for the wrong reasons, you won’t last.
Interview from the April 2014 Issue of Muve Magazine.