Who is DJ Scheme?: 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards DJ Of The Year
Hip hop’s biggest night delivered once again as the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards brought forth viral moments, high-energy performances and stunning red carpet looks this past Tuesday (Oct.5).
Producer and artist DJ Scheme is among one of this year’s first-time winners, beating out Chase B, D Nice, DJ Cassidy, DJ Drama, DJ Envy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Kaytranada for the crown.
For those who may have never heard of the 24-year-old Florida native, here are three facts about DJ Scheme, this year’s 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards "DJ of The Year."
Influences
When you listen to DJ Scheme’s music, it’s clear he brings influences that are outside of the traditional hip hop ear.
Come to find out the “Top of The Mountain” producer is into early-2000s hiphop and alternative rock.
“When I was younger, A Day to Remember was one of my favorite groups to listen to, along with Green Day, Nirvana, and Linkin Park," he recalls. "But I would also have to say Outkast, Kanye West, 50 Cent, and the early stages of Denzel Curry and Raider Klan were crucial in my development,” he said in a local interview.
Came Up With Isaiah Rivera
Scheme’s come up in the music scene was closely tied and related to Isaiah Rivera, better known today as rapper Wifisfuneral.
The two Palm Springs, Florida natives first met online through social media before forging a friendship in real life. The result was a dynamic artist-producer duo that led Scheme to crafting some of Rivera’s first hits, such as “Light Skin Trick Daddy”.
“We’re very similar but also very different,” Scheme said in an interview. “He would say I was lighter and he was darker, as I guess you can tell through the music. We’ve been through it all together, from sleeping in my car all around Florida to hitting licks, bussing plays, fighting, you name it.”
Behind Florida’s New Sound
DJ Scheme is one of the biggest forces behind Florida’s modern sound by becoming one of music's most in-demand DJs over the past several years, having worked with everyone from Wifisfuneral and Ski Mask to the late XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD as part of 's the 'Members Only' collective.
Together they established a formula incorporating dark, mysterious undertones in their music some would even call “emo”, which has since been popularized by artists to follow. Xxxtentacion’s SAD! Is a good example of this.
Scheme decided to take his career to the next level by dropping his debut studio album, FAMILY, in December of 2020, featuring Cordae, Lil Yachty, Ty Dolla $ign, Ski Mask The Slump God, Joey Bada$, Srillex and Take A Daytrip.
