dj aaries - an unlikely hero
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photo by steed media service
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Contest Winner, “I Will Not Lose”
DJ Aaries loves to joke that throughout his life he’s never been considered a winner. Born Lawrence Butler in St. Matthews, S.C., he recently beat out 500 other entrants to win the Rocawear and Blackplanet.com “I Will Not Lose” video competition.
During the months of September and October 2007, “I Will Not Lose” called for films that explored the individual’s battle and victory over adversity as they rose to new heights in their community. Winners landed a spot in Rocawear’s 2008 spring/summer campaign. Blackplanet.com, the largest African American social Web site, played host to some 2 million visitors during that span. When all was said and done, Aaries stood alone. “I’ve ... witnessed competitions, but never in my life did I think I would be winning one,” he says.
For Blackplanet.com’s visitors, Aaries’ story of a country boy using music to uplift his people, was enough make him their guy. “They really told their stories well and they were very inspirational stories — coming from nothing, fighting for everything that they ever got [and] continuing to do that,” says Blackplanet.com director of business development, Adam Goldman.
Aaries has already generated a buzz with his Hood Hard Hitmakers collective and he’s making a valiant effort to mentor young, aspiring deejays and other independent artists. “In eight months I managed to be on Rap City, get my own TV show, [and play] a major part in about three to four artists getting on the radio,” he says. “I planted seeds everywhere, [winning this competition] is going to help cultivate those seeds.” – gavin philip godfrey
Check out DJ Aaries on his site, www.hoodhardhitmakers.com.
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