The only disc jockey band combo in the city, DJ DNyce and Trump Tight, will host the third Lyfe is Dope jam session at 409 S. Main St. March 28.
Featuring national and local musicians, rappers, artists, dancers and DJs, Lyfe is Dope also allows attendees to sign up to freestyle with the band, perform and showcase their talent.
"If you are an artist of any kind and are looking for an opportunity to get noticed, this is a great place for you to break out on the scene," Trump Tight bass player and Lyfe is Dope organizer David Parks said.
Past Lyfe is Dope jam sessions have given artists exposure to major record labels and the chance to break into the music industry.
Native Memphian Jozzy performed at Lyfe is Dope 2, and has recently partnered with Timbaland and Dumb Drums Productions. She is currently working on her first album, and will soon release her first single "Go Hard."
Wave Chappelle, a 19-year-old Memphis transplant from Milwaukee, Wisc., was signed by Yo Gotti's CMG record label after preforming at the Lyfe is Dope jam session 2.
"At Lyfe is Dope 2 this past September, we had representatives from several major record labels and a few indie record labels that wanted to sign someone that night if they saw a performing artist's potential," DJ DNyce said.
L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Memphis' independent record label Select-O-Hits and Macktown Records were scouting talent at the last Lyfe is Dope jam session, according to DNyce.
Local Memphis radio station DJs will also be looking out for new talent during the event.
"We are letting artists expose their talent to all DJs in the city, club and radio," DNyce said.
DJ DNyce has been a disc jockey at the local Memphis K97 radio station for two years and also plays at Club 152 every Thursday and Saturday.
Trump Tight leader and bass guitarist David Parks is a University of Memphis alum who now lives in L.A. He recently finished touring with pop icon Justin Beiber and has also played with renowned hip hop musicians such as Sean Kingston and Jason Derulo, who he is touring with again at the end of April. Other members of Trump Tight are keyboardist Claude Hinds and drummer Anthony Knox.
"The DJ/Band sound is absolutely hip-hop with house music influences," Park said.
Parks and DNyce met when they both performed at Club 152 three years ago and have been friends ever since. The duo came up with the idea to create Lyfe is Dope while in New York City. With every event, they have strived to make Lyfe is Dope grow.
"I learned to stop arguing with a good idea," DNyce said.
With the Lyfe is Dope jam session series, Parks and DJ DNyce hope to create collaborations and push the creative and music culture in Memphis to the next level. They see the jam sessions as having the potential to be a game changer for the Memphis music scene.
Lyfe is Dope 3 will open up with a set by the DJ/Band and will then allow those who signed up to freestyle perform "a 16"- a 16 bar hook of a song - with the band or over an instrumental.
"It's a confidence booster for people getting in the game and a good performance tester," DNyce said.
After sign-ups, DJs will be given 5-minute sets with dancers "buckin' and jookin," a Memphis style of breakdance.
Feature artists for the upcoming jam session include newcomers to the music scene rappers Baffa and Preauxx, singer Cameron Bethany and veteran dancer Ladia Yates.
While living in Memphis, Yates' form of "Memphis jookin'" spring boarded her career in dance, allowing her to work with artists such as Chris Brown, Janelle Monae and Big Sean.
"This is an event, not a party, but it's also experimental, off the cuff and a place for creative organic expression," Parks said.
The 21-and-up event is from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will have a full cash bar and food catered by Chef Kenna. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online through eventbrite or at the door.
