Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan (Merriweather) Jean-Jacques.
Hi Alan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began DJing approximately four years ago. I love listening to music anywhere I go. My Haitian influence is the biggest reason why I enjoy music.
I was begging my mother for weeks (Stephane Momplaisir) to buy me a DJ board. I did it just for fun in my garage and I would invite some friends over to listen and receive feedback. One night, my friend Alex (Kuya) Rich suggested I should do this for a career if I enjoy it so much. I gave it some thought and did some research and I packed my bags and decided to move to one of the top party schools in America which is Florida State University. I am currently pursuing my degree in International Affairs.
This is where my journey begins.
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 has not been smooth when I moved to Tallahassee. There weren’t any clubs that were hiring for any DJs unless you had connections. I would DJ for house parties and birthdays for free just to get my name out and hopefully make some connections.
Fortunately, most clubs need production technicians and I have some experience in operating sound, lights, and POS systems, I heard a club called Potbelly’s happens to be the biggest club in Tallahassee and Northwest Florida. I applied and the Production Manager (Dwayne Dungey) took me in with open arms and shared his extensive 30+ years of knowledge and experience with me about everything.
Working production I get to see the DJs play, what type of music they have, and what type of playing style they use. After I was done working, I would go back to my place and practice everything I just saw from the DJs that we were performing that night and see what type of playing style fit me.
One night, I was working an event and I met a gentleman named Simon Lucas in the summer of 2022 who is an event coordinator/booking agent who has worked with artists like Kodak Black, Rick Ross, Rod Wave, Sean Kingston, and Soulja Boy. He gave me an opportunity to DJ an event he was hosting. Funny enough, I did not have a club format DJ controller at the time and my friend and DJ Gavin Gone let me borrow his DJ controller for my first gig without any hesitation. From that point, I became his main go-to DJ for all of his events. He is now one of my closest friends and business partners.
Once everything came full circle, the general manager of Potbelly’s (Albert Hanson) hired me full-time to DJ which I am blessed and thankful for the rest of my life. Once I started playing more often, people started to recognize me everywhere I went even if wasn’t DJing. I sort of felt like a celebrity in a way. I even created a clothing brand that a lot of my supporters wanted and it’s doing well too! I am so grateful for everything and every single person I met.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I’m most proud of is being co-signed by Fatboyrhymer who is the official DJ for City Girls and works with the record label Quality Control. They are known for the artists they found and signed based in the Atlanta, Georgia areas such as Migos, Lil Baby, and Lil Yachty.
I have also had the blessings and opportunities to open for artists, such as Soulja Boy, Young Nudy, Kaliii, and Super Bowl Champion Antonio Brown.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I want to produce my first EP mixtape next year with multiple artists and producers. That is next on my journey
I love to spend time with my Mother and friends. I enjoy traveling and eating all sorts of different food, but my favorite would have to be Mexican.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @merriweatherlive
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/EjdbtoZ7t9MKNx1i8
Image Credits
Jake Griffin @jake._.150, Saddie Beatriz @sadiebeatriz, and Kole Acosta @ft_kole
