From the sidelines to the controls

Music and business have always been a combined passion for Tyler Chung, more commonly known as DJ Tyler. There is no doubt that the son of popular business mogul Ribbie Chung, has used his father’s industry connections to his advantage, but the ‘young Chung’ does not want it to be left unsaid that he has worked arduously for the respect of event promoters who have featured him as part of their lineup of selectors.

A graduate of Jamaica College, DJ Tyler is currently in pre-university, preparing to enter the University of the West Indies to study management of business and marketing - although his general disposition demonstrates his ambition to make it in the music industry.

“The plan is to transition into music production, but for now I really want to remain a disc jockey - and one with a full education and a degree,” DJ Tyler told The Gleaner.

Already the up-and-coming disc jockey has earned bragging rights as the youngest member of local sound system - Third Dimension.

“It has been an amazing journey - from being introduced to different professionals in the entertainment industry to the exposure gained from just attending, to now playing at a wide cross section of events is worth it,” he shared.

After all, the 18-year-old has been playing music at local events long before he could legally consume alcohol - the only thing he wanted was to get his hands on was a CDJ console.

The first break he got was playing at the Major Lazer and Friends Live Concert back in December 2016 - the first time a diverse audience had the chance to absorb his set which spans music from the 90s, to the current and trending hits of all genres including electronic dance music (EDM) and soca. His style has also allowed him to bridge the gap between playing for his generation, to holding the attention of a more mature audience.

“I play everything. I am not partial to any one genre, but what I select also depends on how the crowd reacts to the music. For the upcoming soca season, I know that for the majority of events it may be best to stick to soca.”

The year has started out on a high, with the disc jockey’s bookings including top tier events such as: Xodus Debut, Strictly Soca Series, Bacchanal Xperience Cooler Fete, UWI Carnival’s Royal Fantasy J’ouvert, French Toast Brunch, Rum for Breakfast, Bacchanal Beach J’ouvert and Bacchanal Dancehall.

In building a solid soca repertoire, he has released his mix tape, Socautopsy, a mix tape that is sure to increase the level of serotonin in the bodies of devout socaphiles.

With 25 days left to road march, DJ Tyler is promoting the mix tape on digital platforms, optimistic that both international and local soca lovers will enjoy it.

“Like many Jamaicans, my first carnival experience would have been on the sidelines as a little boy, standing on the sidewalk looking on in amazement at the really loud music coming from the truck,” he explained, feeling accomplished to have evolved from watching, to now being an integral part of the whole experience.

He is yet to participate in the traditional mas’ celebrations in the Mecca of Carnival - Trinidad and Tobago, but anticipates that as he gets the practice and a greater understanding of the culture, it will happen.

“For me it has always been about experience first then play later, so I want to actually see T&T carnival first as a patron,” he said. “My expectations for this soca season will be focused on bringing that vibrant attitude to the parties.”