The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Who is DJ Mayday you may ask? He is currently a devoted DJ who travels the world, deejaying for some of the biggest clubs, corporate events and weddings.

Peter Desmond Maynard II (DJ Mayday) is versatile in every genre of music: Hip Hop, Reggae, Soca, Pop, House, Techno, Old School or Rock. Many people know him for his online mixes which are creative, energetic and guaranteed to keep his listeners entertained.   

Born in Montreal but raised in the Bahamas, DJ Mayday said back in the day he would endlessly listen to 100 Jamz, admiring the work of local DJs such as Deon the Butcher and DJ Scooby Doo. He said the Bahamas has such a musical culture, offering calypso sounds, and the heavy influence of reggae music from Jamaica.

Speaking about his stage name, DJ Mayday said:

“It comes from a number of things. Mayday is a word originally used in panic, so when the party is going downhill, just holla Mayday for help. Also, Elephant Man was a favourite artist of mine and he would holla Mayday in most of his songs at the time. Finally, my last name begins with May and I’m also born in May, so that is where the name came from.”

He said while growing up, music was always in his home. His brothers knew a lot more about music than most of his peers.

He considered putting his music knowledge to the test after he visited Halifax, Canada. Playing at a benefit event held for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, his skills behind the record player won over the crowd and inspired him to try and make a business out of it. With the help of his brother in music, So$a Man and his mentor DJ Flava, he learned stage presence and how to keep connected with the crowd.

DJ Mayday said his most memorable experiences in deejaying comes from the weddings he has played at. At these weddings, there is a lot of positive energy in the air, he said.

“Luckily I’ve had the opportunity to DJ in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tokyo, Japan and Cuba, which all happen to have been unplanned events for me. I have also deejayed in a few cities in Canada, Toronto, St Catherine’s, Montreal, Halifax and London, and a few states in the US: Philadelphia, Washington, New York, Miami and Fort Lauderdale,” said DJ Mayday.

“Invest in your own equipment; buy and avoid renting. Have a good time and don’t take it too seriously. DJs are the life of the party so if you’re not in a good mood people at the party will sense that and it will affect the vibe for sure. Be personable, humble, and enthused about presenting the music to your audience. Be confident when playing records that aren’t on the Top 20. Respect your peers, especially other DJs,” said DJ Mayday.

Although the Bahamian party scene is dominated mostly with Dancehall and Reggae, DJ Mayday said people have to be open to mixing and mingling with all types of music. This comes with accepting people for who they are without judging, he said.

“We have to switch up our social norms and change the way we think,” he said.

Along with being a DJ, Mayday is a law student. For more information, find DJ Mayday on Facebook.com/djmayday99.