DJ Pauly D may be best known as one of the stars of MTV’s Jersey Shore, but his roots are in music. He’s got a new track in stores, “Night of My Life (feat. Dash),” which is the theme song of his current show, The Pauly D Project, plus a gig as the resident DJ for the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Read on to learn how “Night of My Life” came to be, how the vibe of a crowd affects his set, and what we can expect next from DJ Pauly D.
So how did you get into DJing in the first place?
I bought my first DJ equipment when I was 14 and just started practicing and practicing in my bedroom. My first gig was a Sweet 16 and it ended up being a success and I knew that is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Congrats on the success of your new single, “Night of My Life (feat. Dash),” the theme to your show “The Pauly D Project.” How did that song come about?
Thank you! As we finished taping my show we needed a theme song, so I teamed up with Dash, Joe Boom, and “The Closers,” and we came up with this great concept, “Night Of My Life.”
What was the collaborative process like with Dash, Joe Boom, and The Closers?
It was awesome! We had a great time and really fed off each others’ energy. “Night Of My Life” was perfect because it’s what really happens out on the road DJing.
What inspires you to create music?
My life has always been about music, and everything that happens around me on a daily basis inspires me to create. Trust me, there’s a lot of inspiration to draw from when you’re living on the road. Something’s always going down.
I read that you were a resident DJ for Moon, Rain, and the Palms Pool in Las Vegas. What’s it like having a residency at a venue versus coming in to play a guest show?
I was the resident DJ for The Palms in 2011—I had an amazing time and experience there. Currently, I am the resident DJ for the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas which has been an incredible experience so far. It’s always been a goal to DJ at Rehab and now it’s actually happening. Trust me, that’s a party you don’t want to miss.
When you’re DJing, how does the crowd affect your set?
The crowd is everything. I never create a set-list so I play based off of the crowd’s reaction. I normally play a little bit of everything anyway to keep everyone satisfied.
Has there been any kind of transition between being known from TV and being known as a DJ?
I was a DJ first and that is where my passion remains, but being on Jersey Shore has given me an incredible platform to take my DJing to the next level.
What can we look forward to next?
A lot! I signed a deal with 50 Cent where I signed to his G-Note label, and I’m working on an album right now—I’m producing and working with some other producers. I also have a line of headphones coming out soon with 50 and SMS Audio, too.