Meet James Vickers: DJ & Educator

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

Hi James, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work life balance has changed tremendously over the years. While I was in college when my career started (2011), I was able to work any and every gig that was offered to me. Since then, I have taught for 5 years, became a husband and a father and you can only imaging what I have to do for time. I have to truly make a schedule for my teacher life, DJ life and family life each week. I have two calendars, one in my phone for all of my DJ gigs and the other for all bills and goals I have for the month. Now do I ever have time where thing may conflict with one another? Yes! But I still manage to work out the kinks with my support system.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well what sets me apart from others is that by day I am an educator (Science teacher), Mr. Vickers and at night I am DJ SCrib. I’ve taught now for 5 years and DJ’ed going on a solid 10 years. It definitely has been a tough road to keep the balance of making sure lesson plans are ready for the next day; or even grading papers to turn back into students before I have to DJ later on at night. Some people ask will I ever stop one for the other and I honestly debate about it each year. I have a passion for helping the community and reassuring the youth that education still matters no matter what. I also love showing them that you are capable of becoming an entrepreneur and making money for yourself as well through something you started as a hobby too.

On the educator side, creatively, I love to work on a lot of different experiments with my students each week. Even during COVID when we went virtual I created a TikTok so my students were still able to enjoy learning with their families at home rather than the conventional everyone else was teaching like through Zoom or Google classroom.

As a DJ, I always have to create on the spot! I seek to create unique blends that explore beyond saturated and repetitive sounds. My collection of music over the years plays a vital role in creating an experience for an audience to remember at every event I’ve had! I consistently reassures my audience of my blending abilities and nostalgic music selection. I love to make people say, “Wow I haven’t heard that in forever” or hearing the yelling and screams of the audience when their favorite song comes on.

Now a lesson that I’ve learned along the way is that every person is not out to support you. I am huge on having a big circle because I believe that the community is important to any person’s success. With that being said, over the years I’ve put my trust in others I thought were there for me and relationships ended. You cannot trust everyone because some are jealous of what you have worked hard for or why GOD chose you to be this person with talent. Take the time to truly get to know a person before they do become apart of your little “community”. Make sure both parties intentions benefit one another and not one sided.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man this one is tough! I love so many places in my city of Charleston! Of course we have to hit the beach just because! Next we could walk downtown by the Battery or Market Street for some dope scenery as well as shopping. King Street is always dope too. Now local spots we would have to eat at are Bertha’s, V.I.P, Nigels, or Hannibals! We have to have some soul food if you are ever here in the city! After we would go to North Charleston for the night life where most of my gigs occur. First spot we would hit is my residency, The Posh Bar where the vibes are perfect for any type of person. Next I would take them to XO Hookah Lounge to have a nice intimate space to relax and enjoy dope vibes. I’m all about having a good time whenever any of my friends visit the area!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I would love to Shoutout! First of course I have to shoutout GOD for giving me the talent and patience to build on craft.

Second I would love to shout out my lovely wife who has seen me when I’ve only had a speaker and a laptop, letting me hold her car when I didn’t have one so I could gig, and taking care of our daughter while I’m out making others happy with music. She truly has been my rock for real because she understands the late nights, the days I need to rest, and also sacrifices her schedule. She get’s the biggest of thanks for sure!

Third I would love to give a shoutout to my mother who has always said you have some talent and a huge heart so go out there and use it! She also was the person who knew I would be a great educator but saw that my interest peaked when developing skills as a DJ. She consistently pushed me to the max to enjoy it but make time for my family as well and self care.

Fourth I debated on it, but my father wasn’t in my life growing up. The times he was though, he was the person to develop my ear and taste of music because he listened to everything and that’s what caught my attention. So shoutout to him for always putting me on the newest music and waking up the house with the boombox.

Last but not least I would love to shoutout every single person who has supported me at an event, given encouragement, voted for me, reposted my business or referred others to me. Y’all are appreciated through and through!

Website: https://www.djscrib.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djscrib06/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/djscrib06

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djscrib06/

Image Credits
Daiana Veron, Palmetto Wedding Films, New Moon Visuals, Cocoa Rae, Charleston City Paper