Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Cotton
Hi Mike, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
15 years ago I was taking a break from college for some reason I was working 3 jobs, every time I was offered a job opportunity I found someway to work my schedules where I could keep the previous job. I was a customer Service associate at Office Depot, I loss prevention agent at the Home Depot next-door to the Office Depot, and I landed my first somewhat creative job in the video production field, as cable caster/production assistant at KDHX Community radio lesser known TV Station, yes KDHX Radio once ran public access TV station for St. Louis city. From a studio in Central West End It was here things began to change, I became friends with a coworker his name Leon Lamont. I never came across a person like Leon before he was a combination of many good things a humble, nonjudgmental optimistic individual with an extremely charismatic vibe. A successful musician, videographer producer and DJ, he toured the world as a musician, and had many other impressive accomplishments under his belt that I’m not going to mention because this is my story not his, back to him being a DJ. My new friend was also DJ Leon Lamont was very busy very booked local DJ who had residencies at venues all over the city. I became his protégé/assistant. a somewhat awkward closed off person was now the DJ apprentice to a guy who has friends and business relationships with people all over St. Louis from every type of community. , Through mentorship, practice , patience but mainly my experiences being in thrown in all these different environments full of people from different communities who didn’t always look like me act like me, and didn’t have the same life experiences or lifestyle as me, I Believe a better person and a Pretty good DJ came out of that. As the years went on I built up my own clientele earned my own club / bar DJ residences made industry, connections, many became good friendships, those friendships led to helping hand which lead me to more opportunities. Before even thinking about becoming a DJ, I was a fan of sample-based music and the producers who crafted it Daft punk , Kanye west , DJ Shadow, I was a fan mashup artist name like Girltalk. At a U-City bar called Delmar lounge on well on Delmar I witnessed DJ Uptown the person who would become my favorite DJ and a blueprint for the kind of DJ I would like to become his style was just this amazing lively quick Multi genre, Art done on two turntables and a mixer he became another friend and mentor to me, and with his blessing I adopted this Multi genre, open format, mashup style his refusing to ever stray from it today I’m Pretty Dope Mike the multimedia artist and the same type of DJ I’ve always strived be except I added music videos for a audio visual experience to be. Today I own Beats and Visuals LLC, doing business as Really Good DJ, we provide DJ entertainment for weddings, private events, corporate events, nightlife, or whatever. Today my best friend and mentor is my business partner we work events together as a team today I also work with DJs and musicians who’s art I fully believe in we help each other and create opportunities and have great experiences.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nope A lot of trial and error a lot of failure, learning, what works for me and what doesn’t. just be given a chance was a big struggle The bar /club/ events industry can sometimes be a very cliquy space with a lot gatekeepers, a lot people reaching for the same goals as you and alot of snap judgments It’s not just about talent and ambition, who you know plays a big part Bing the extremely introverted person I was back that posed a big challenge, I had to learn to be patient and just build relationships with people not for the sole purpose getting a gig, and not people in those management or booking positions, communicate with people in general the hopes of developing some sort of friendship. I wanted to always fit in I wanted to have a personality. They checked all the boxes over the years I realize I don’t and that’s OK. I’m okay as I am.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in being my awkward self while behind Dj equipment
I thrive in diverse environments, I try to make people who may usually feel excluded from DJ nightlife, or the vibe feel included Recognized by my unorthodox performance style, fueled by quick multi-genre mixing that embraces all music styles, live video remixing, clever mashups and some turntable trickery.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Take your interest in the people around you get to know them Im here because I had help from everywhere from all types of people from all walks of life just good people who took a chance on me or gave me and opportunity Erica Key ,Shawn bardle, Jerry Hill. Tony Saputo, Coyote Bynum, Leon Lamont, Nancy Novak, Stan Shanon Dan Mahfood and too many others to name , I thank you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prettydopemike.com
- Instagram: reallygood.dj and prettydopemike
- Youtube: prettydopemike
- Other: reallygooddj.com coming soon
