Conversations with Michael Hankerson aka DJ M Dot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hankerson aka DJ M Dot. 

Hi DJ M Dot, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started pretty late but nevertheless on time. I started hosting/MCing nightclubs from Coconut Grove to South Beach and in between, which ultimately led to me linking with my mentor, DJ IRIE, and landing an internship at the heritage station 99 JAMZ. From there I was introduced to K FOXX and DJ KHALED where I worked on their highly-rated night show and gained valuable knowledge on what I takes to become a radio personality. Fast forward a few years I began deejaying under a company created by DJ IRIE, which opened up many doors. Some of which I still pass through. From going on my first ever US tour with Brooke Hogan and Clear Channel, better known as iHeart media, to a few tours after with artists like Jamie Foxx, Kelly Rowland, Lyfe Jennings. That led to many tv appearances on daytime and nighttime television with performing at the 52 annual grammy awards which is something I could’ve never imagined. Even though I was traveling a lot performing in different places, the groundwork was still being made at home as we were also able to make history by becoming the first DJ in MLB. After two seasons with the Marlins, I made the decision to switch over to the NBA in support of DJ IRIE as the number 2 guy behind the turntables. With stops in Naples/ft Myers, I held a coveted spot on prime-time radio as an on-air personality for 5 years which allowed me to transition to television for a DJ/co-host role in a millennial-based pilot daytime talk show which aired on TLC with Jwoww as the host. After 5 years of radio and more importantly the birth of my daughter I decided to move back to Miami where I’ve secured longstanding partnerships with several companies one being FIU athletics as their DJ/host for FIU football, men’s and women’s basketball as well as a more consistent role at the Miami HEAT. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road is never as smooth as you’d like for it to be. There will be bumps, roadblocks, and delays. What’s important is that no matter what, you always stay the course. My biggest struggle is what keeps me awake at night. I’m constantly searching for what’s next. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have accomplished all that I have in a highly competitive industry, however, I feel I still have a lot left to do and I’m barely getting started. There’s always a new challenge somewhere and I’m always on a quest to find it. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work? What are you most proud of?
DJ, MULTIMEDIA PERSONALITY, HOST, entrepreneur. 

I am most proud of being able to use my platform for good. Whether that means mentoring at-risk teens at the juvenile detention center with the verb kind or visiting local schools speaking to kids about my journey. I’m fortunate to have found my purpose in life fairly early and that is to encourage as many people as possible. I truly believe that the good energy you put out is the same energy you attract which is why I am the way that I am. If I’m able to make your day just a little bit better through speech or the gift of music, then I’ve done my job. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I absolutely love the diversity. I see it often at games/events. With all the different cultures and ethnicities here in Miami, there is something that brings us all together. And that’s music. You can be a middle-aged Hispanic woman sitting next to a younger black male and if that right song at the right moment comes on you both are vibing out. 

What I like the least about out city is how superficial it’s become and also how we don’t support each other nearly enough as we should. I get it, the industry is super competitive, but that shouldn’t stop us from supporting each other and elevating the city as one. When one wins, we all win. At least that’s how I look at it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.djmdot.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/djmdot
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/djmdotfanpage
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/djmdot
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/djmdottweets

Image Credits
David “Trick” Alvarez
Julia Rose
Cristina Sullivan
David Badia
Mikey B
Eddie “create” Chance III
Peyton Schaefer
Nick Vega