When we think about some of our favorite DJ’s, we often fantasize of the insane lives they live now. Traveling all over the world, incredible luxury, otherworldly recognition, and universal fame. What we tend to forget is that everyone has to start somewhere. Every big DJ has had to face a coming of age moment where they needed to make a hard choice. To stay the same or risk it all to pursue a dream. For these artists, boy did it pay off! Here are 8 of the world’s greatest DJ’s surprising jobs before they made it big…
8 Jobs These Famous DJ’s Had Before Making It Big
DIPLO, Teacher
We all know Diplo for his eccentric lifestyle and music to match, but he wasn’t always a universally recognized DJ. Diplo used to teach kids in Philadelphia while working as an after school care teacher. He quickly realized that he hated teaching and decided to pursue a career in music. I’d say that was a good choice.
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CALVIN HARRIS, Grocery Bagger
Calvin Harris, one of the industry’s richest DJ’s in both wealth and from a career standpoint, didn’t always have it that good. Harris’s rags to riches story took place in a prior life as a grocery store clerk. His height made him perfect for the job because he was able to grab things off of the top shelves for elderly people.
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Nina Kraviz, Dentist
Before becoming one of the most influential female DJs in the world, Nina Kraviz was a dentist. While studying in college, she found her passion for techno and started living her double life as a student and DJ, bringing that lifestyle into her career as a dentist. Now she fixes peoples smiles full time with her beats!
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DEADMAU5, Peach Canner
Deadmau5 has always expressed his wild side through both his personality and his music. Before becoming an icon for EDM and being a household name all over the world, Deadmau5 canned peaches… Yes, peaches.
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Solomun, Filmmaker
Way before he was hypnotizing party goers at afterparties all over the world, this iconic DJ used to produce short films. After 5 years of it, he decided to switch his attention over to music. The rest is history.
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Kaskade, Mormon Missionary
Kaskade, one of the worlds most renown DJ’s, has been known to have dedicated Mormon beliefs. At the age of 19, he decided to go on a two-year missionary trip to Japan and teach the Mormon religion. It was while he was a student at Brigham Young University where he discovered his love for house music.
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Paul Van Dyk, Carpenter
Paul Van Dyk had a hard childhood growing up in communist East Berlin, Germany. He always had a passion for music, but wasn’t able to pursue it in such a constrictive country. It wasn’t until the fall of the Berlin Wall that he studied to become a carpenter. I guess making things out of wood wasn’t as cool as making beats because he soon ditched carpentry to take on his music career.
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FISHER, Professional Surfer
Before he was ever taking over the club scene with addicting hits like Losing It and Ya Kidding, you could find FISHER riding waves in Australia as a professional surfer. No, I’m not kidding. This now GRAMMY nominated House DJ was on the World Qualifying Series for surfing before starting a career in music.
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The Takeaway?
Take a chance! You never know what that leap of faith will bring you. As they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
If they can do it, so can you.
