Brooklyn Style: DJ CEO Explains Importance Of Being Fashionably Versatile

By definition personal style is a unique form of expression that’s different for every individual. While some rely on flash and flair to make a visual statement, others prefer subtly to make his or her mark in the eyes of their beholders. Then there’s Jarrell “DJ CEO” Greene, a fashion-forward turntable jock who falls somewhere strategically in the middle. Dubbed “the best dressed DJ,” the Brooklyn native is an accomplished businessman who is known just as much for his impeccable wardrobe as he is for his skills behind the ones and twos.

Growing up playing multiple instruments, DJ CEO developed a love of music early on but his role as a trendsetter in style was something he didn’t even recognize at first. It was actually his mother who pointed out that his classmates were mimicking the youngster’s unique fashion choices, which included leather-brimmed baseball caps, denim shirts and ties in grade school. Once he discovered that girls were enamored with how well he put himself together, the Howard graduate realized he had a unique opportunity to change the perception of what a DJ a looked liked.

Meshing his two greatest passions together, DJ CEO has gone on to brand himself as more than just someone who orchestrates the soundtrack to your party life. He is a man who understands that you only get one chance to make a first impression and DJ CEO’s is always a lasting one—even before he drops the first song of the night. While some of his peers simply play classics, he evokes a classic and stately feeling simply by his choice of wear.

Pressed shirts, European cut pants and sophisticated accessories like lapel pins, cufflinks and pocket squares are par for the course. DJ CEO’s sophisticated aesthetic is not just for keeping up appearance when behind the boards, the stylish spinner views how he looks as more than personal branding but a way of life.

Spinning at a host of galas and lavish, upscale affairs across the map, the current in-house DJ for Fuse TV’s United States of Hip Hop continues to impress with how he rocks a party and what he rocks to the party. That’s why DJ CEO was an obvious choice to be included in The Gentleman’s Project, a campaign, done in collaboration with Hennessy Black, which tips its hat to individuals who have a knack for discovering things ahead of the curve. It’s also essential that the selected participants make this knowledge applicable to their personal lives and inspire others to do the same.

That said; Hip-Hop Wired spoke with DJ CEO about his style and how it’s affected his life and career. Here’s what the best-dressed DJ had to say.

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Photo: Margarita Corporan

Hip-Hop Wired: Talk to us about your personal brand.

DJ CEO: The DJ CEO brand is a combination of performance and style. Just someone who prides himself on being the best at everything. Like, as a DJ I work hard to be the best DJ I can be—period. I’m always working on improving my techniques, always working on improving song selection and finding new music. I’m always working on that.

Hip-Hop Wired: Does that same drive apply to how you approach your personal style?

I study and master my craft, and when it comes to style, it’s the same way. I always want to look clean and fresh. I always want people to acknowledge my style, because I think image isn’t everything, but it’s a huge part of what you do as a person—as a product. I am a product. I sell a product, so how I look is major. I don’t ever want to be caught out there looking crazy. There’s gonna be a certain point where you’re gonna catch me in the streets all rag tag and not looking put together.

Hip-Hop Wired: How would you describe your style?

DJ CEO: That’s a difficult question to answer: I think anybody who answers it quickly and easily is being contrived. I would say a lot of influences for my style are European-based, as far as fit is concerned. Very slim and very close cut.

Hip-Hop Wired: Is that because of your build?

DJ CEO: Definitely, because a slim cut mends to my build; so my style is very European influenced and very vintage too.

Hip-Hop Wired: What was your style like in grade school?

DJ CEO:  My mom always laughs when I tell this story. Remember the movie Mo’ Money with Damon and Marlon Wayans? Well, I grew up in Brooklyn and in school you kind of just dressed how kids dressed at the time. Like, I had a high top fade, had a leather bomber jacket… But I remember seeing Mo’ Money, and I loved how Damon used to wear these baseball caps with a leather front and a strap in the back and he would wear it with a button up shirt, a tie, and jeans. At the time I’d never seen that before in my neighborhood but I liked it. I didn’t know how to tie a tie, so my mom bought me a clip on tie with a button up, and I would wear jeans and a baseball cap. I wasn’t paying attention to it then but my mom was telling me right after that other kids in my class started doing the same thing.

Hip-Hop Wired: Because of you?

DJ CEO: Right, but at the time I didn’t think so. If I like something, I buy it and I wear it. It’s as simple as that.

Hip-Hop Wired: Have you always had this strong sense of style?

DJ CEO: No, at least not intentionally. I guess I’ve always been stylish, but I’ve never paid attention to the fact that I was being stylish. I just like to wear things that I like. I never looked at it like this is fashionable or this is something that other people like.

Hip-Hop Wired: When did you decide to make your personal style a big part of your branding as a DJ?

DJ CEO: What happened was, I had a partner that I used to DJ with. This is before I jumped into it 100%. I was working in TV as a producer and he was a banker. We would DJ after work events and he would always show up in a suit. Since I worked behind the scenes in TV, I was dressed but still casual. One day I decided that from now on when we go out and DJ, I’m going to change how I dress because he couldn’t change how he dressed. So that’s how I started being more sophisticated in my look so we could look more like a team. I noticed people started paying attention to it and then I became cognizant of what I was wearing and how it affected my business as a DJ.

Hip-Hop Wired: How has NYC influenced your fashion?

DJ CEO: Actually, it hasn’t. My fashion has gone further and further away from New York. I’m Brooklyn-bred but going to Howard University was one of the best decisions of my life. It made me who I am today.

Hip-Hop Wired: In what way?

DJ CEO: If I didn’t go to Howard, I would not have become as cultivated as I am now. Going to Howard just opened my eyes to everything. Prior to Howard, I thought all Black people were the same. I grew up in Brooklyn in the 80’s and 90’s. My dad was a blue-collar worker; my mom was secretary; my best friend’s dad was an assistant principal; my other best friend’s dad was a bus driver… There was no real diversity. So when I got to Howard, I saw all these different backgrounds, even their taste in music and how they dressed. My college experience really diversified my view of the world in general, not just Black people. DC is a completely different world than New York. It challenged me socially. That’s why I say it’s the best decision I ever made.

Hip-Hop Wired: Can a person have a successful brand if they aren’t stylish?

DJ CEO: Yeah! Your brand is whatever it is. ODB from Wu-Tang Clan was a brand. He wasn’t stylish, but he was a brand. A brand is the consistency of what you’re doing. With ODB you expected a certain thing from him and you got it. The entire Wu-Tang Clan was a brand. A Tribe Called Quest is a brand. People expect a certain quality and a certain consistency with whatever it is that you bring. Style has nothing to do with brand. Style is a part of your brand. Your brand can be rugged. Your style can be hobo. If your brand is looking homeless, that’s your brand. My brand is being stylish.

Hip-Hop Wired: What do you look for when you go shopping?

DJ CEO: Outfits should be versatile…certain pieces that are gonna last and you know you gonna wear a lot. That’s why I like going to boutiques because I don’t want to go anywhere and see 12 people with the same thing on—that kills me. If you consider yourself to be someone of style you don’t want to see people wearing your same stuff. Another thing I don’t think people focus on enough is that I think it says a lot more about your style, if someone comes up to you and says, “I like how you look,” or “I like your style.” If somebody comes up to you and says, “That’s a dope jacket,” that jacket is dope just like it is on a hanger. They aren’t complimenting you; they’re complimenting the jacket and the designer. Now if someone says, “Oh, I like the way you look,” that says a lot about your style.

Hip-Hop Wired: What advice would you give to someone looking to find his or her own style?

DJ CEO: Personal style is just that, personal. You need to find out what you like. You also need to know your body type and be honest with yourself. What is your shape? That way you know what looks good on you. Then you have to ask what inspires you? What styles do you see out there, whether it’s on a celebrity or designer, that you like that you can make your own? But the best advice I would give them is to buy what you like. If you like wearing a lot of yellow, wear yellow. If you like wearing sequins, buy sequins. Never be afraid to be yourself.