The Journey of DJ R-CADE

Music has always been my passion. My journey into the world of music began during my school days when I pursued singing. I was recognized for my talent, with my school achieving several milestones at the zonal level. However, as academic pressures increased, I found it difficult to continue my singing classes and daily riyaaz. Over time, my voice changed, becoming thicker, and I had to accept that a singing career was no longer a viable option for me. This realization was heartbreaking, but my love for music never faded.

Then came a turning point in my life. One day, I saw a DJ using virtual DJ software, effortlessly transitioning between tracks. This sparked my curiosity, and after attending numerous parties and weddings, my fascination with DJing grew stronger. It was during a party hosted by my father’s friend that I saw a DJ playing with a DDJ-800 controller for the first time. The seamless transitions between songs mesmerized me, and I knew this was my calling. My vision became clear: I had to become a world-class DJ.

In 2018, my dream officially took flight. I began my training under the guidance of D’ARK (Aditya Raj Kohli) at Livewires Academy, where I learned the basics of DJing. However, without job placement opportunities, I decided to continue my training at Infini Music Academy under DJ False Play (Kamaljeet Singh), who took my skills to another level. He taught me advanced techniques, including switching genres and creating live mashups, which became game-changers in my journey.

One of my biggest struggles was convincing my parents that DJing was a legitimate career choice. The perception of DJs in our society is often limited to mobile DJs at weddings and small events. It was challenging to make them understand that my goal was to play in clubs, perform at major events, and establish myself as a professional DJ.

When I first entered the industry, EDM was entirely new to me. I had grown up listening to Bollywood music, and beat-matching EDM tracks was a significant challenge. It was tough to train my ears to recognize beats and transitions, as EDM forms the foundation for Bollywood remixes. Mastering beat-matching became my next big hurdle, and I spent countless hours practicing on a CDJ-750, where I had to rely purely on my listening skills without visual aids.

After completing my course, I joined a residency at a club, which was crucial in overcoming my fear of performing in front of a crowd. Here, I learned the art of reading the audience and selecting the right tracks to keep the energy alive. Playing at my friend’s party was another learning experience—though I received praise, I knew my performance was far from perfect. Determined to improve, I convinced my father to buy me a DJ controller, started my YouTube channel, and practiced relentlessly. Over time, my skills improved, and I became confident in my abilities.

Joining 16th Affair, a well-known club, was another major milestone. Initially, I faced criticism, but I persevered. I learned how to manage requests, maintain crowd energy, and seamlessly transition between tracks. The club's owner, Ankur Jamwal, mentored me in Hip-Hop, which greatly enhanced my understanding of music and helped me refine my sets.

My career saw major breakthroughs with several prestigious opportunities. I was selected for the War of DJs at HnM DJ Academy, where I competed against DJs from across India and performed in front of celebrity DJs like Harsh Bhutani, DJ Barkha, and DJ Mashter. Joining Infini Music Academy, Delhi’s top DJ academy, was another proud moment. One of my biggest achievements was my mashup of "Maan Meri Jaan x Tu Jana Na Piya," which garnered over 17,000 plays on SoundCloud.

In 2022, I again participated in the War of DJs at IIT Kanpur, this time with four years of experience. My journey came full circle when I was invited to teach at Infini Music Academy—the very place where I had once been a student. It was a surreal moment, proving that dedication and hard work truly pay off.

Looking ahead, I aspire to open for major DJs and build a brand as big as DJ Chetas. I dream of selling out tickets to my shows, where millions will come to witness my signature clean transitions. I want my name—DJ R-CADE—to be synonymous with seamless music transitions and electrifying performances.