INSIDE POWER STATION at Berklee NYC: DJ Rob Swift
As I sat on my couch and rewatched my interview on INSIDE POWER STATION Berklee NYC hosted by Stephen Webber, I came to the realization that purpose always pursues the person from very early in life. Not the other way around. I now know this because when Psycho Les convinced me to ask my brother to teach us how to DJ, I had nothing to do with that choice. I was simply following what sounded like another fun way to tap into my creativity.
In tailing that unexplainable urge to scratch records under the tutelage of my brother, alongside my 6th grade friend, and not judging it, “Rob, you’re a Breaker, you won’t make a good DJ,” I allowed purpose to find me through the passion I had for Hip Hop as a whole.
It’s also important for me to add the following. I never let my ego get caught up in the outcome (money, fame and women) it thought DJing could bring. Instead, I allowed my spirit to enthusiastically follow each of the breadcrumbs DJing laid on my path. I’d even venture to say, the points in which the path got treacherous and caused me to go backwards or fall, were “detours” that played an even more critical role in leading me to the chair you see me sitting in while I talk in this video.
I know the cool people and incidental places DJing has led me to are experiences I’ve interacted with as a result of completely opening up. I’ve 100% given in to every creative urge throughout my career. I didn’t need anyone to co-sign my attempt to make a Salsa song that celebrated my Colombian heritage composed of predominantly scratches. I didn’t rely on the approval of the outer DJ world as my measuring stick for solo albums like The Ablist or Sound Event, and I strongly feel that openness I put out was rewarded back to me by God with opportunities to collaborate with the likes of Bill Laswell (did you know he’s the producer of the song which featured the “Ahhh” sound?), Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Blue Man Group, the list goes on and on.
DJs, trust me when I say, there’s more to what we do than winning the DMC 10+ times in a row, landing the residency or radio job. Don’t get me wrong, those can be great achievements, but when you arrange your thoughts about your true potential in a way that isn’t limited to what anyone has to say about what’s conceivable as a DJ, your DJ career will organize itself in ways your brain would never imagine!
Just don’t tie yourself to outcomes you contrive in your mind because more often than not, what we perceive as an end goal to a situation doesn’t measure up to what God has planned in the anointed time, with the anointed people, at the anointed place!
I’d like to close with a heartfelt thanks to Stephen Webber and the entire staff from Power Station at Berklee NYC for their hospitality. I appreciate having the opportunity to share anecdotes about my career with you all!
