There’s a motion taking place in hip-hop—and DJ Trendsetter Sense, born Brandon Douglas, is on the forefront. Referred to as one of many authentic architects of the legendary Gangsta Grillz mixtape collection, Sense is now navigating a daring new chapter—this time guided by religion, not fame. His new enterprise, The Chosen Journey, is not only a radio present or live performance model; it’s a revival, a reawakening of music’s energy to heal, encourage, and elevate the soul.
The blueprint: Atlanta, mixtapes, and a microphone
Earlier than the world knew Gangsta Grillz because the stamp of street-certified hits, it was simply three school children—DJ Drama, Don Cannon, and Trendsetter Sense—making an attempt to shake up the sport from their off-campus condominium at Clark Atlanta College. The New York mixtape hustle impressed them, however they aimed to indicate that Southern lyricism had simply as a lot depth as its Northern counterparts.
“Individuals thought the South was simply celebration or bass music,” Sense mentioned in his Contemporary Friday interview at rolling out Studios. “However we have been seeing artists like T.I., Jeezy, Killer Mike—rappers with bars.”
With Lil Jon voicing the now-iconic Gangsta Grillz drop, and main labels calling to get their artists on tapes, the crew bridged the hole between the streets and the fits. “We have been middlemaning offers,” Sense mirrored. “Connecting the streets to the labels.” And on the peak? He recollects pulling in as much as $50,000 a month—purely from DJ work.
Altering the frequency: a divine disruption
However simply because the world was turning up the quantity on his profession, Sense started listening to one other voice. Whereas touring internationally with Lil Jon, he skilled a religious shift. “The Holy Spirit informed me on a flight over the Atlantic, ‘You’re solely doing this for 2 years. Then you definately’re going to do work for the dominion.’”
Two years to the day, the prophecy fulfilled itself. What adopted was a humbling descent into what he calls his “Job second”—named after the biblical determine who misplaced every little thing. The apartment, the automotive, the cash—all gone. “I needed to take warehouse jobs,” he shared. “It was like God was stripping me all the way down to rebuild me.”
By way of all of it, he clung to his religion. Studying the Bible cover-to-cover, he describes one unforgettable second whereas studying Exodus: “A thunderous power got here from the sky out of nowhere. Clear blue day. It scared me, however I knew—that is actual.”
The Chosen Journey: a soundtrack for the soul
Reborn in function, Sense mixed his hip-hop pedigree with a ardour for ministry to launch The Chosen Journey, a nationally syndicated Christian Hip Hop present now airing on SiriusXM’s Hip Hop Nation. The present has featured visitors from each the religion and mainstream worlds—Kirk Franklin, T.I., Busta Rhymes, and Yolanda Adams—highlighting the more and more blurred line between tradition and calling.
However The Chosen Journey isn’t stopping on the airwaves. On June 22, throughout Atlanta’s Birthday Bash Weekend, Sense is bringing the motion to the stage with a reside live performance occasion at Middle Stage. Anticipate musical ministry, prayer cubicles, and a spirit-filled expertise that transcends leisure.
“This isn’t only a present,” he insists. “It’s a revival. Individuals in jail have written me saying it’s modified their lives. That’s the mission—feeding misplaced souls with actual meals.”
Rethinking royalties: DJs deserve their slice
Whilst he builds this new platform, Sense hasn’t forgotten the struggle for DJ fairness. Within the digital age, the place streaming payouts barely register, he argues that DJs ought to obtain royalties when their voice, branding, or internet hosting seems on tracks.
“Should you contribute to a track, you should be paid. I’m speaking 5% to twenty% relying in your involvement,” he defined. “That’s your mental property. Interval.”
That is the long run
DJ Trendsetter Sense isn’t chasing charts—he’s chasing function. From internet hosting events to internet hosting prayer cubicles, his journey is proof that success isn’t at all times a straight line. Generally, it dips so you may rise stronger. The Chosen Journey isn’t only a model—it’s a calling. And in a world determined for course, this DJ has grow to be greater than a voice within the sales space. He’s a light-weight on the trail.
Welcome to The Chosen Journey.
Observe @TheChosenJourney on social media and catch the live performance on June 22 at Middle Stage Atlanta.
