By: Esra Erdogan/Life! Editor
As the official DJ for the Miami Heat, former University student DJ Irie will never forget his roots. During the years 1995 through 1999, Irie was very involved on campus and held the positions of Vice President of Student Government and General Management of WRGP, Radiate FM. Irie feels so connected to the University that he continues to stay involved today, and took a moment to speak with Student Media.
SM: How are you involved with the University?
DJ Irie: One of the things I have been consistent with is Homecoming and the Ultra Fest [in previous years]. The First Generation event came about because I keep a good dialogue with all the administrators and even though we have a lot going on, if there is anything I can help them out with that is possible on our end, we are in.
Really, it’s a matter of me just wanting to say that [the University] wasn’t a place I just went to get a higher education. Miami is where I grew up from high school to college. All those [academic] experiences have shaped me today and I don’t feel like those are experiences that I can say ‘Oh, that’s cool and it’s a thing of the past.’ Education is a huge, huge thing for me and if I can help out and do anything that advances the University, then I’m in.
SM: What is your next big project that you’re working on with the University?
DJ Irie: The big project we are trying to do now is the Miss University event at FIU next year. My partner, Carlos Arias, and I took Donald Trump to court and finally won exclusive rights to Miss University. What we wanted to do is build a cool and fun anti-pageant. It’s an event that celebrates student life. It is not about the most beautiful or pretty student, it’s really about showcasing and highlighting a particular student who not only excels at their education but also is very active in school, works very well in groups and is active in their community.
We’re in talks with Student Government and other levels of administrations to launch this at FIU. We would like to take it to different universities but for the initial one it would be strictly an FIU event and would have students’ say on the vote. It’s going to be a great thing for the school because PR would say this thing was birthed at FIU.
SM: What would you like to see the school improve on in the future?
DJ Irie: I’ll say this — it’s a hard question because being someone that isn’t a student. Students may feel a little differently but I can speak as someone from the outside. I read what’s going on in the papers and FIU is really on fire. Great things are happening in athletics with the football team, basketball and baseball. We’re making some headlines — headlines that we weren’t making when I was a student, so I think that’s great. I would like to see those programs continue to improve and I think it’s a big part of school spirit.
With academics, nothing has made me happier than seeing the results of our law school graduates passing the bar. I was a part of the organization that lobbied for a law school [in] Tallahassee with the Board of Regents, pleading the case to get a law school for FIU. I wasn’t more sure about anything in my life. I’m sure there are other things the school can be better about but from someone on the outside I am very proud to let people know that that’s my school; I’m a Golden Panther. I was on [the Modesto Maidique] campus a month ago and wow — that campus is exploding. I have great perspective on that because from my years there, for every building that was there, I can identify three that weren’t there. I am very proud of FIU.
SM: What are you doing to keep busy during the lock out?
DJ Irie: What I can say is since I am not participating in games now it really enables me to travel. I have a certain commitment when we are in season to be home because we have 40 plus games. Once you’re in season and those calls come in to go to Singapore or Vegas, then we have to table those things until summer and sometimes in summer they aren’t available anymore. With this scenario, I can take advantage of it. I just got back from Singapore and it was amazing. I may be going to Europe in January and Asia again. There is no issue keeping busy, but I miss the game of basketball.
SM: Did you ever imagine getting to where you are today growing up?
DJ Irie: No! Hell no! I never even thought that someone would give me a dollar, much less have a business based around music and performing. Not that I didn’t have any confidence but it just didn’t correlate. I never delved this deep in an interview, but because this is for The Beacon, you may find this interesting. A big catalyst for my career was because I went to FIU. When I first started to D.J., I [played at] a few of the fraternity and sorority parties on campus. I was a biology major. [I thought] ‘Gosh, I want to make a career out of this.’
I did some research and switched to communications. Then I had to get an internship. I had to serve as a student representative on the committee for MLK. A lady named Cheryl Meizel was also on the committee. She worked from Cox Communications and she works with 99 Jams. I called Cheryl and said I need an internship. She said, ‘Can you be here Monday at 9 p.m.? You just bypassed the whole process and I am the intern coordinator.
I have worked with you for two years and you are on point. Your contribution to the event is invaluable. I am going to place you on our number one show with Al B Soup Show and it all happened in five minutes.’ If I would’ve walked into that station without that relationship, I may or may not have gotten it. If i did get one, it wouldn’t be with an on-air personality. Having that relationship with Cheryl was invaluable; she was able to understand my level of dedication and I was with an influential person at that station. I wasn’t looking to work there; I went there for the experience and that experience turned into a job. A couple months in, I was an official DJ for the station.
If we start chasing it back, it all goes back to being an engaged and active student at FIU; there were different programs and events. If you say ‘Hey, I want to be involved,’ the opportunity [may] blossom into a career. FIU has a great part in making me DJ Irie. I speak a lot at high schools and the students say you can just get a turntable and music and say you’re a DJ; you’re absolutely right, but will you have a career? Will you have a business sense? There are plenty of DJ’s, but not many that have a business. The reason why I am who I am is because I went to college; I tell them this. By going to FIU, I was able to have these opportunities to do what I love and they are blown away. They get it; it’s not just reading a bunch of books, it’s a life experience.
About Post Author
