Behind every party is great music and behind that music is the DJ setting it up. The DJ is the heart and head of the party, controlling the music and the crowd with expertise. Grand Valley State University has been the home of a number of very skilled DJs, one of them being Brandon “DJ B-Wiz” Wisdom, who performed at the university’s Silent Disco on Sept. 7.

Wisdom is a GVSU alumnus and DJ with years of experience and a true passion for his craft. He frequently travels and performs at weddings, parties and other events, but many GVSU students have seen him at events in and around campus, such as Welcome Week parties and the Silent Disco. Throughout the years, B-Wiz said he always loves to come back to DJ at Grand Valley. 

“When I come back to DJ, I already understand where everyone comes from,” B-Wiz said. “I have prior relationships and I can balance DJing with the kind of people I’m with. [Knowing] how previous events went, what was successful and what wasn’t keeps me coming back.”

B-Wiz attributes much of his success and skill to his time at GVSU. In fact, he said that he traces his DJ roots back to parties where he felt the entertainment could be taken up a notch. 

“I was at a house party and the music was terrible,” B-Wiz said. “So, my parents got me a pair of turntables that I played around with in the kitchen. My roommates told me I should DJ, so I set it up, sat down and DJ’d for two hours at a party. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but it was a start.”

Lately, B-Wiz said his career has been a series of successes as he continues to cultivate his brand and host bigger events, such as a number of concert openings and many weddings. With his growing successes, B-Wiz said he still loves what he does and finds satisfaction in providing entertainment to others.

“I find that I can cater to everyone in some special way,” B-Wiz said. “I want people to feel good, have fun and love every event. If you hear that one song you love, you’re going to feel great for the rest of the night. I want to give that feeling to everybody.”

B-Wiz performed at the Silent Disco alongside fellow performers DJ Kung and DJ Composition. As of now, he plans to continue his DJ career along with a day job in human resources. For any student interested in becoming a DJ, B-Wiz has some key advice.

“First of all, don’t make excuses to not get your work done because you want to DJ; remember why you came you school.” B-Wiz said. “Second: learn, be receptive and stay humble. Finally, trust your ear, trust your music and believe in yourself. If you don’t, nobody else will.”