Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ GT Mayne.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started out djing house parties and school functions in high school. Once I got to Texas Southern University, I got my first radio mix show on Fri nights on KTSU. At this point, I was making mixtapes and djing various fraternity and sorority parties on my campus, as well as various other universities around Texas. A couple of years after that, I got my own show “The Underground Railroad” on Sundays 12a – 5a on community-based radio station KPFT. One year after that, I landed my first and only commercial radio gig at KBXX 97.9 The Box, which I’ve held down for the past 23 years. Throughout those years, my resume as a Dj expanded to include NBA Allstar Wknds, several Super Bowl wknd events, Winter Ski Fest, Destination x, and various other functions around the globe.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in this industry is smooth. I once had a PD who told me, “you’re only as good as your last performance.” That statement stuck with me to this day. Having said that, to this day, I constantly fight to reinvent myself in an industry that evolves on a daily basis.
Please tell us about The Social Warriors.
The Social Warriors is my non-profit foundation that came to life during Hurricane Harvey. As I was stuck in the house during the storm, I was seeing people on my timeline needing to be rescued. So, I started taking their info and making memes with the hashtag #thesocialwarriors being that my source was social media. Long story short, I ended up getting close to 300 people rescued over a three day period. That hashtag later became the name of my foundation. The thing I’m most proud about is giving back to kids each December via my “15 Minutes Of Fame” shopping spree at Walmart. The Social Warriors Foundation is also the source behind Houston Jerk Fest, which is a big Caribbean food and music festival I started with my friend and business partner Mark Marsh. It encompasses a $1,000 jerk cook-off competition, multiple food and arts & crafts vendors, as well as a concert with local and international Reggae artists.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are several people who deserve credit with the success of what I’ve accomplished. Notably, my last PD Terri Thomas, who not only gave me the book “The Alchemist” to read but also gave me the idea to turn what I thought was just a hashtag into my foundation, The Social Warriors.
Contact Info:
- Website: houstonjerkfestinc.com
- Email: houstonjerkfest@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thesocialwarriors
- Twitter: thesocialwarriors
Image Credit:
Photos by K-Tron • Photo Montage • Marcus Feggins of Different World Images
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