Today, we’d like to introduce you to Raver Teddy.
Hi Raver, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a visual artist and lover of music, I always merged the two together, especially during my younger days, which was very rough! Music and Art were my two escape from the chaos in the world around me. Headphones and a drawing canvas stayed on me like they were glued, lol.
I grew up around a lot of Musicians and DJs in Jamaica so that exposure trained me on the path I’m on now. I used to make mix cassette tapes, aka Mixtapes, for my friends and family. As we moved away from cassettes to CDs, I realized how much music I could add to my mixes. That urged me to move towards DJing as I could fine-tune my mixes and create for live crowds or for someone to escape their madness like I did when I was young.
I picked up a 2-channel DJ Controller and taught myself how to play on my lunch breaks at work, every single day I would take my Controller to the back of the job with a little clip-on speaker and just rock away through my music library. Lol, I started getting invites to do birthday or house parties from friends or people I knew. My DJ career didn’t take off until I created Raver Teddy from my Rave days.
I would create a shirt design or costume to fit the theme of the Rave I went to, with each creation getting bigger or crazier. Until one day I said to myself I should create a character that everyone can vibe with. I sat down and did a bunch of research and Teddy Bears were the most acceptable type of friendly things.
Now that I was settled on the character, the next step was color, and tan brown/caramel was the most recognized (Pooh, Rilakkuma). In Jamaica, people who partied all the time would be called Ravers, like the phrase Raving Mad. That is where the name Raver Teddy came from.
My friends and I went to Mekka (RIP Mekka) back in 2015 for a SMOG vs Firepower Rave where the first appearance of Raver Teddy happened, and everyone loved it. I used the brand as an Icebreaker or Positive Energy Source at events. One thing I know about the Raver communities, is they’re more than likely going through some serious traumas and music to get away.
People are bringing Gang Culture onto the dancefloor and risking the lives of others. I use Raver Teddy as a distraction, a beacon, to say hey look, there’s a dude that has been and is going through something as well, but he’s willing to absorb their pain to bring a bright light on the dancefloor, hence the reason I created the light-up ears.
That path I took opened the door for me to do even more with my DJing wishes and hopes to bring the vibes via music to all around the world as they seek shelter from the madness and let the dancefloor wash away their pains. I want the brand to be a symbol to all who think they can’t make something of their own and bring their dreams to reality.
A very outspoken and confident Jamaican man who pushed all sorts of troubles and hardships to develop a brand that opens doors and unlocks pathways to all sorts of realities closed off to many who refused to venture out into the deep end. BAHAHAHA Raver Teddy is going to be the platform where we all can strive and benefit as a community!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth at all. Growing up in a very judgmental household of ‘You can’t do this or that because of your skin color’, especially from your own parent, was always a kick in the Honey Pot. I had to teach myself a lot in life via trial and error. Failure became secondhand nature until I realized most failures are only such that they keep you down and you stop trying.
Everything I took head-on to either test my capabilities or to see if I was being tested. I didn’t have the luxury of support through most. Being born with a heart murmur, I had to push till I broke cause who’s going to finish the race I’m running, right? I didn’t have transportation, having to ride a bicycle everywhere with my art supplies in order to get my art on as many walls as possible. I rode my bike 6 hours a day to and from work because Florida has the worst transportation system ever.
I was pushed to the brink so many times. Till the point where I almost gave up and asked the Big Homie in the sky to show me existence cause I didn’t understand why I was being tested so hard even though all I want is the better of this world. So I tested that and rode my bike across the busy intersection of University and Pembroke Pines, hoping to be removed. I made it across and looked East, West, South, and North and saw not a single vehicle in sight.
This was during 3 rush hour, and the streets were empty, with not a sound or person in sight. I stood there and said OK, I won’t do that again, and my purpose is still needed. Over the years, I have realized that I am beyond good at helping people or finding solutions to problems. With all of the ups and downs and support and protection of Big Homie, I believe I figured it all out and doors are already unlocked!
As you know, we’re big fans of Raver Teddy Entertainment, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand, what can you tell them about it?
Raver Teddy Entertainment, LLC, a powerhouse team with over seven years of experience, is your go-to for unforgettable events. Specializing in everything from weddings to music videos, we’re not just a DJ service. We’re a versatile entertainment hub with a network of artists (performers to creatives), photographers, and videographers.
Our DJ, a professional mascot in Florida, is skilled in all music genres and technical aspects of event production. Plus, our mobile DJ station can bring the party anywhere! With our Network of tightly built communities, we can offer any service that is needed. The canvas or playing field is big enough for us all if we work together!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
To never give up and stay determined.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/raverteddy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djraverteddy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raverteddypage
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/raverteddy
- Other: https://rumble.com/c/RaverTeddy
