Meet DJ Daddy Duffel of @he_so_extra

Well, I’m just a country boy from Opelika, AL. My love for music started in church (Apostle C. F Johnson, Community Church of Jesus Mt. Vernon, Ny).Church church though, not the show they put on today. I’m talking that Holiness with the good tarrying service that led to real praise breaks. I started playing drums at my step father’s church, Bishop Daddy. From there, it has been up and stuck. In middle school, I played the euphonium in band. I was good too, lol first chair and all. I was super lame, smh, I used to walk around school carrying this big odd orange shaped case. My euphonium had that curve horn lol. I experimented with the organ, but I want to learn lead guitar one day.

As far as DJin, my biological father “DJ Daddy” ignited that spark. He is a legend back home in Lafayette, AL. It’s pronounced “Lafelt”. My father, JV Express is the coolest man I ever met. He recently beat COVID 19 and cancer. After growing up in the church, seeing him as a true hustler enticed me to follow suit. He used throw all the best parties anywhere from young to old. To answer your question, DJ Daddy left me in the booth at a high school party one time. My cousin Ketra (@prettygirlsloc on IG)and I were the hosts, and we would bring both “Lafelt” & Opelika together. At this particular party, DJ Daddy took forever to come back, and my thirsty ass took the opportunity and ran. Back then, we used CDJs and Kazaa was the trend. So, I already had several spools of mixed CDs burnt and the crowd were already my peers. My career started from there, the Alfa Building. DJ Daddy had me around other Legends like DJ Twilight, DJ Cold Chillin, Sweet Daddy Soul, Costee, Daryl E, and DJ Nard where I continued to grow. He taught me to be a student and learn something from everybody. I had other influencers like DJ PC, DJ Headache, DJ Hollywood, DJ Big Show, and DJ CP also.

Some days it’s the lyrics, others it’s the melody; either way music is my solution. Has it been a smooth road? Not in the least. Hell, music is the reason I’ve been able to persevere. First off, I had to sneak to even listen to anything other than gospel growing up as a pk. Even though I had great run in High School, Bishop Daddy charged me to graduate and not to DJ while I attended Miles College. When I lost my Ma in 2014 music was the only option. Matter of fact, I started back up that day after hearing one of her friend’s (Corlynn) reflections about the music my Ma had taught me.

Since then, I use music as a tool to help build others up and a weapon to keep bad vibes away.

Right now I’m a graduating Senior at Miles College majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Former President Dr. George T. French got me back in right before he began his tenure at Clark Atlanta University and I’m so grateful. Graduating is my current focus

All my family would agree I am EXTRA. Primarily I DJ, these days that don’t mean much unfortunately. I would say I specialize in range, I have an old soul so I have to pull out a classic every now and again. As a company, I am proud to be from Opelika, Alabama. I have aggressively presented myself most of my opportunities by simply being mannerable. My country background gives me the upper hand on most folk just by knowing how to handle people. What sets me aside is favor. I am not the best per se but what God has for me no one else can do.

I define success as being able to change other’s circumstances. Success is like WiFi; the closer one is to the source has the strongest connection.

I also believe success is the result of hard work and preparation. Everything has it’s season but without the proper nourishment the harvest may not ever come. Quality time invested produces quality results every time.