Meet 5LAPHOUSE | House Music and Techno DJ, Model, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with 5LAPHOUSE and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi 5LAPHOUSE, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
Leave people behind that I thought would be on this journey with me, no matter how close they were. Letting go of judgement in regards of myself. Also believing in myself when many people did not. No one ever tells you the personal affects from running a business/brand by yourself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It means the world to me that I am being recognized for me being a DJ. For those who do not know who I am, my name is 5LAPHOUSE pronounced SLAP-HOUSE, I am a record label owner, DJ, Rapper, Model, Radio Host and Producer based out of Atlanta, GA & Indianapolis, IN. What sets me apart from other DJ’s is the style of music I do and the type of energized sets I have. I even rap during my sets on house or techno beats. The music I mix is different forms of dance music such as house music, techno, miami bass, jersey club, and break beats to convey a broad message that “Hey Black people created this, and if we want to get more specific, queer people of color started this, specifically house.” My label is for other independent artist, who have a message to the world, aggressively, To create my brand and label it wasn’t easy because I was in a space of wanting to work with people but yet a lot of people didn’t take me serious, or take my ideas serious so I took it upon myself to create my own brand and label. It also took a period of being by myself because I needed to learn more of who I authentically am and by this I mean therapy, beating old habits, cycles, and not dating. Going to therapy helped open my eyes to house music, because she said to help cure my anxiety I should listen to music with no lyrics and ever since then I never looked back. One of the biggest lessons I learned is when you have your own brand, you can do what you want. When you have your own business you can do what you want. When you own your brand, I mean LLC it, get an EIN for it, and trademark it… it’s yours, and you will make more money! So never let anyone dictate what you should do for your brand, and keep your ideas to yourself. Ideas are a dime a dozen DO NOT SHARE YOURS. Remember it is yours. I want the world to know, that I am 5LAPHOUSE and my story isn’t finished. This is just the beginning!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We going to practically all the bars where artist go: revery vr, ourbar, MJQ, Chaka Khan Hacienda, after hours at tree house or the marquette (Spell check) We going to the strip club every other night period: Club Onyx, preferably
Picnic at the botanical garden, definitely do the aquarium and check out lil 5 points, then when i feel like being in my lil feminine bag we going on midtown. We can eat anywhere lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first want to thank myself and say how proud I am of myself. I would like to specifically thank everyone I am not friends with anymore. I also want to thank everyone who told me no as well as everyone who tried stealing my ideas. I want to thank Jaylah SIbley, Imani Crumble (Dj BAE), Chink The Barber, and my family for the amount of love they put into me to keep going. I also want to thank anyone who has ever booked me for an event and put money in my pocket. I want to thank my homies who allowed me couches to sleep on, I want to thank ANYONE who supports me and loves me!! Thank you!! I love y’all so much and I want to thank y’all from the very top of my heart.

Website: https://soundcloud.com/elgin-reese-ii

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam5laphouse/

Image Credits
V. Knox (@v.knox_art) , Luke (@mallgrabs , @club.plex) Gerald (@occupyvisuals , @way.too.g)