Simply Elevate January 2014 | Page 21

friend of Sudderth and a member of the Board of Directors here at Simply Elevate, personally speaks to this loyalty and persistence within DJ E Sudd to follow his dreams, “It’s scary to try something you may or may not succeed at. Something that may require you to go outside of your comfort zone. We can all learn a lot from him. I’ve have watched Erik go from that 4-year old little brother always getting in the way and being pushed aside to a young man who takes no shorts in pursuing his dreams. I can see his focus and determination. He wants better himself and those around him. I am extremely proud of him.” Sudderth followed his heart to Atlanta every week, performing at open mics at clubs. He quickly developed credibility in the clubs of Atlanta, known as “North Carolina.” “Before you take it to the radio or the label, you got to have that street buzz behind it. I was bringing tracks to North Carolina at the same time they were bubbling in Atlanta. I wasn’t scared to step outside of the box and mixing tracks that other DJs weren’t touching. Once other DJs saw how I was moving the crowd, they started to give me a little bit of respect. Songs I was talking about a few months ago are now the number one songs on the radio stations. I was trying to connect the dots between the streets of North Carolina, the streets of Atlanta, and the streets of Virginia to the radio.” It was in Atlanta that he met Travis Porter and began to travel from state to state with him and other DJs, as part of the Street Executives Management Company. “As time passed we became more of a DJ Coalition than just a group of folks putting out mix tapes and doing events. We did a 50/50 with Porter House Label, becoming Street Execs Porter House. That really gave us a name within the industry, more than just in the streets.” Another member of Street Execs, DJ Technique reached out to 2 Chainz with an offer to manage him. Sudderth continued to highlight his talents and showcase what he was capable of. “I stayed consistent, kept good relationships, and further worked on my craft. It sounds easy, but at the end of the day its work. It’s a 24/7 thing.” His time to shine soon arrived. “You have to put yourself in the position you want to be in. Every day I knew there was going to be an opportunity for me to be on the road, but there was no telling when that time would come. It didn’t always make sense to pay a DJ when they are doing shows. I was just waiting for my time. That time came when DJ Technique said I want to put you on the road with 2 Chainz.” And DJ E Sudd’s life hasn’t slowed down from there. “We are on the road every week for the past four years.” During his busy schedule, DJ E Sudd always finds time to continue developing his own brand. He releases numerous mix tapes, the No Stress series having particular influence on him. His fans responded to the smooth mix of rap and R&B. “People would approach me and tell me how much it influenced them. After so much positive feedback I thought, ‘I should do a shirt that actually says it.’” And the No Stress Gear clothing line was born. “Our line includes anything that can help promote that healthy lifestyle and way of living.” Fans of DJ E Sudd quickly showed their enthusiasm for No Stress Gear. “When people started coming to us saying, ‘I need that shirt or that hoodie where can I get one?’ that’s how we knew we were on to something. Just like I did with DJing, I’m doing the same thing with clothes. I’m taking my time and learning it step by step, learning from my own mistakes, and figuring out what I have to do to take it to the next level and make it something large. Larger than what it is now.” Does this incredibly driven and successful man have any New Year’s resolutions to guide him through an exciting year ahead? “I’m just trying to stay focused and consistent. We have a big tour coming up in February, 2 Chainz is headlining his own tour along with Pusha T. That is my main focus gearing up for that. No Stress Gear will be available and will be on sale at every tour spot in every city we stop in. Staying focused is my main resolution.” We know DJ E Sudd is a name we will be hearing a lot of. Follow him on Twitter @djesudd and on Facebook as “The Golden Child” DJ E Sudd. No Stress Gear is available today at nostressgear.com. About the Author: Lydia Dodson is a freelance writer. Originally a California girl, she found her way to Virginia and graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. When she is not writing, you can find her beebopping the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, playing board games, practicing her jump shot, or being an Aunt to her two beautiful nieces and amazing nephew. www.simplyelevate.com 21