The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

VETERAN deejay Da Butler is at the top of his game now, but just like many of his counterparts he worked his way up the ranks. At 17 years old, Da Butler received his first break when a “best friend” invited him to join a group called the Sesame Street Professionals. The benevolent friend was former parliamentarian Charles Maynard, who died suddenly last year. He had formed the group and secured a gig at the annual carnival, where Da Butler would mix tunes.

“We were basically the first ones to start a disco at the carnival. People used to come out to enjoy the rides, as well as the disco,” said Da Butler

As a teenager Sean “Da Butler” Dean developed his interest in music from observing other DJs playing at parties. He was eventually connected with the Mighty Pencil, who was a member of the 100 Jamz team at the time. He started following 100 Jamz when it came on the scene in 1993.

“I would hang around the station. I wasn’t working there at the time, so I would just hang around trying to become a part of that Jamz family,” said Da Butler.

His experience grew when the Mighty Pencil gave him an opportunity to play at the La Pond Disco on Paradise Island. Even though he worked as a record carrier for Pencil, he said the experience paid off in the end.

“I used to tote records box for him just to get in the club. I would watch them play and watch the way the crowd reacted. From there I went on to start playing at the club,” said Da Butler.

From La Pond he moved to other discos like Fantasy in Crystal Palace and the Zoo Nightclub. He understudied other DJs like DJ Xcitement and DJ Fatal, who were all DJs inside the Zoo Nightclub.

“I learned a lot of things about catering to crowds as a DJ. Not just playing what you like, but actually satisfying the crowd that you are going to play for,” said Da Butler.

All of the exposure led Da Butler to the ultimate opportunity, a permanent spot as a 100 Jamz DJ in 1994.

He started off doing ‘Eat to da beat’ with JJ and now he holds the Saturday night spot from 9pm to 1am. 100 Jamz was and still remains his home base.

“I’ve worked with every DJ. I’ve seen DJs come and I’ve seen them go, so being here at Jamz is a home. I wouldn’t basically give it up for anything,” he said.

In his early days, Da Butler went by the name DJ Sean. He said the name just “wasn’t kicking with everybody”. A friend suggested the name Da Butler, because he always new how to serve up the right tracks.

“That is one thing that I always try to get out there to other djs that, don’t just listen to yourself, take other people’s advice. Don’t always be a mic man and not listening to the music, because to tell you the truth, the people just want to hear the songs. It is okay if you are sending a birthday shout out or something, but let the music play,” said Da Butler.

Da Butler said it is his family that keeps him going. He said they all love music, but he does not see his children going in the same direction. “I don’t want to say to them this is what I want you to be. I want them to be able to make their own decisions on what they want to be,” he said.