Detroit’s Mr. DJBJ discovers brotherhood during Friday cyphers

By Kristina Mitchell
Sep 13, 2016
1:56 pm

Photo credit: Shannon Tripplett

Hot 107.5 personality Brian Jackson, aka DJBJ and “Mr. Pay Attention,” has made his mark as one of the best deejays in Detroit. Now the promoter, entrepreneur, music producer, youth advocate, mentor and philanthropist is building a brotherhood during his weekly Friday night cyphers, giving life to his purpose of being “the voice” of Detroit.

As the year winds down, DJBJ is promising a year-end “surprise” for fans. We probed further, but he would only share that he will be the first DJ in Detroit to present this huge idea.

“Being a DJ is not the only thing I want to be known as. I want people to know that I’m using my platform to create a lane for upcoming artists and youth because I made it through and so should they; I did just that without burning any bridges,” Jackson says.

Aside from being a radio host and his cyphers, DJBJ has launched a showcase opportunity, clothing brand 3525 world, a 3525 music app, a children’s nonprofit organization for deceased or incarcerated parents, and he does one-on-one interviews with those who have a story to tell behind their music.

The Friday night cyphers hosted by DJBJ give local Detroit emcees a voice and a chance for the public to listen as they pour their passion into the mic. Rolling out had the pleasure of visiting 107.5, with a room filled with 10 driven emcees and stepping into the 3525 world of DJBJ, Mr. Pay Attention.

What was your motivation to start the cyphers? How long do you plan for them to go on?

I’m looking for hits, unquestionable hits. I know a hit when I hear it, so I’m taking my platform and using it to reach out to those who want to be heard. The cyphers — I want them to go as long as they can.

What is your goal right now as far as taking Detroit music to the next level?

My goal right now is to find artists with great music and a story to tell. Doing the cyphers has created sort of a brotherhood between all the artists and I. We’ve built not only a relationship, but a family to make the dream work. Some even risk personal circumstances to be here and that says a lot.

What are some upcoming projects you have on the way that no one knows about?

I’m launching a big project on Thanksgiving or Christmas depending on how everything works out. I will be the first DJ in Detroit to have done this so I’m pretty excited. Be on the lookout for it.

Photo gallery credit: Shannon Tripplett for Steed Media