Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Rolfe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Travis. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My DJ journey started from a child. I remember playing around with the Fisher Price See N Say toy. At that moment, I was picturing my self scratching on turntables. I didn’t really stick with it as I get older through grade school because I was into all kinds of instruments and music (Drums, Piano, Trumpet, and Singing). I come from a very musically inclined family that spans from my immediate family to cousins all involved in music. When I was in high school in the early 2000’s, my friends and I were into Screw music heavy and were downloading all of the latest tapes off of Napster. Then I left Kansas and went off to college at Texas Southern University in the city of syrup. I was met with the culture that I desperately loved and then the spark of becoming a true DJ became in close reach. My roommate ended up buying virtual dj (computer software) and started chopping and screwing random songs in my free time. I continued to master those skills throughout graduation and moved to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, I continued to drop multiple mixtapes on Datpiff and distributed them in the Kansas, Tulsa, and Houston. It still wasn’t good enough for me because I wanted to get some real equipment.
So after research with one of my fellow friends DJ Tez, he laced me on what type of cdjs to get. That’s when I picked up the Numark Mixdeck and the rest was history. I started pushing my services and began dropping more mixtapes, hosting local artists tapes, and open up for artists such as 2 Live Crew, Cash Hollistah, and Lil Ray formerly of the Boss Hogg Outlawz. I continued to DJ at parties and concerts and then moved back to Houston in 2013. During that time, I took a step back and mess around with rapping. During that period, I was able to land some songs with a few H-Town vets (Z-Ro and Telee). Although my rap career didn’t pan as expected, the love of the music didn’t go anywhere. That’s when I went back to DJing and taking things a little bit more serious. Last year at this time was when I was discovered by DJ Matrix with the MixxgangsDJs to become a part of his coalition. That has been very rewarding thus far with being a part of a brand new network of DJs. It has afforded me opportunities to do a variety of parties and venues and even to be a part of the BET Experience coming up later this year.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, this definitely has not been a smooth road. It has been a constant effort of putting myself outside of my comfort zone, representing myself to the same people, and even sometimes getting overlooked for opportunities. With so much talented DJ’s in the city, it’s a continuous journey to learn because you have to find a way to separate yourself by the small things that the typical listener doesn’t recognize.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with DJ T-Roc – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
DJ T-Roc is my name. We provide DJ services for all types of events. We are most proud of the smiles we get during the events and finding that right groove that people can dance to. When I get the kudos at the end of every event and then get asked for business cards, that means I’ve done my job well enough. If one person inquires about me before the night is over, that means it’s a good night for me. What sets me apart of from other is the ability to provide high-level playlist before any event. The reason I do that is because people always have favorite songs they like or want to hear. If I can have an idea of what they like, it typically will translate to their family and friends. From there, I blend in the rest of my set to capture the mood that will keep them on the dance floor. It’s never about me and what I want to hear or like.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans of the future is to get involved in the EDM genre. There is a really big open space for minority DJ’s to become a part of that genre. I feel that we aren’t represented in that space. So I’m planning to really learn how to DJ that music and eventually get to the Vegas stages. Also, I’m always planning on upgrading the equipment every chance I get.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3162143528
- Email: djtroc1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trocthamic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJ-T-Roc-184825548942251/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJTRoc
Image Credit:
Will Polite @w.dior
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
