Entertainment

From a Kid Growing Up Among DJs to a NY Club Sensation – Story of DJ Beyond

Published

5 years ago

August 14, 2020

The profession one chooses, has its roots down in their childhood and is mostly influenced by the people one grows up with. Some people get inspired by people who surround them, which helps them set their life goals. However, not many people can fulfill their childhood dreams or accomplish the goals they set in the early years of life. Sometimes it is due to lack of determination, sometimes it is due to loss of focus, while in some cases, people change their priorities.

It takes a great deal of passion and determination to succeed in a profession or a career that one aimed for since the beginning. While there are thousands of successful people in the world, not all have pursued their passion as a profession. There are just a few people who are courageous enough to take their dreams forward, turn their passion into professions, and make a name for themselves in the world.

One such example is that of DJ Beyond, who is a rising sensation in the New York clubbing scene. In addition to this, he is the co-founder of BeyondRest Entertainment, an entertainment company. A man who is known for stirring hype in the clubbing world and is a party starter in New York City grew up with a dream to excel in the world of DJing. DJ Beyond spent a major part of his life in clubs around DJs, which made him fall in deep admiration for the profession.

He was so eager to start a career in DJing that he stepped into the industry just after high school. It was a major step in his life, and it led him to success in the world of DJing in a city, which is known to be the hub of club life in the world.

Falling in Love with the DJing World

Damian Perez Jr., who the NY DJing world knows as DJ Beyond, was born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on May 26, 1983. He grew up in a loving and caring family, in an environment, where believing in each other was part of their family values.

His father, Adolfo Perez, was a member of several Spanish bands. As a musician, he had to spend a lot of time away from home, in clubs with his band. As he admired his son a lot, he used to take the young Damian Perez Jr. with him to all his performances.

Sometimes his father used to leave him with the DJ when he was performing on the stage. Damian Perez Jr. was highly impressed by his father, and it instilled a love for music in him. Not only did the young boy observed the DJs perform their gig, but he also assisted the band in carrying equipment, loading trucks, and wrapping wires.

After spending an extensive amount of time with DJs, he began to fall in love with this profession. Damian Perez Jr. fell under the spell of this profession, and he wanted nothing more in life then to become a successful DJ in New York.

DJ Beyond recalls this time in the following words, “I still remember the time I spent with my father’s band. It was truly magical. I was highly impressed by DJs at that time, looking at how seamlessly they controlled the music, making the world dance on the choice of their beats. I wanted that, and I was sure.” Music was a part of his family, and spending time with the musicians made music a part of his personality.

A Christmas Gift that Changed Everything

During high school, when Damian Perez Jr. was 15 years old, he asked his mother, Venus Ortiz, if she could buy him turntables. He states, “I was desperate. I wanted to become a DJ, and I knew if I don’t work on my craft at a young age, I won’t be able to establish a firm ground in the industry. This was my chance, and I could not miss it.”

He told his mother that if she buys him turntables, he would never ask for anything else in his life. The offer made was strong, and it worked. Damian Perez Jr. got turntables when he was in high school, after which, the young and passionate boy spent all his allowance and lunch money on purchasing records. He states, “I still remember my first vinyl was KRS ONE “Step Into a world” brand new single 1997.”

Stepping into the World of DJing

Damian Perez Jr. did not wait for college graduation to step into professional life; instead, he entered into the world of DJing just after high school with his family’s support. He had huge dreams, strong ambitions, and he was determined to make it big in the industry.

Soon after stepping into the DJing industry, Damian’s performance, craft, and skills began receiving an overwhelmingly positive response, his skills were appreciated across local bars and lounges. His elite skills helped him land on multiple gigs. He performed at private parties and also became a resident at several clubs, local bars, and lounges, Webster Hall being the first major club where he performed. At the time he was invited to play at Webster Hall, Damian was so young that security had to be assigned to him.

He started making his way up by creating tracks in genres including Hip Hop, R&B, and Reggae. To strengthen his identity in the industry, he took up the stage name, DJ Beyond. He began appearing in National Puerto Rican Day and The Dominican Day parades around the world, in addition to West Indian-American Day Carnivals, and New York City Pride parades.

DJ Beyond then co-founded BeyondRest Entertainment with his high school friend, DJ Rest. It was an entertainment company, through which he worked with several notable artists. These included Nas, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Trina, Ashanti, Ne-Yo, Donell Jones, Tamar Braxton, Shannell, Lizzo, Dawn Richard, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, and many others.

While making the audience groove on the rhythm of his captivating tracks and mixes, he performed for multiple clothing Stores, including Diesel, BeBe, Puma Sneakers, Jimmy Jazz, Pull-in. In addition to this, he also has contracts with Hospital For Special Surgery, United Nations, Marriott Hotels, Playboy, Pepsi, Presidente Beer, Cuba Libre. DJ Beyond has produced mixes for Tommy Boy Records.

DJ Beyond is the recipient of Best Blend DJ by the Urban Mixx Awards and was also nominated for Best Duo & Blend Dj by Justo’s Mixtape Awards. DJ Beyond is on his way to the top due to his full-of-energy tracks that can kick-start parties and stir hype among an audience. His skills led to an agreement with the Lo Maximo Productions, that signed him to the label in 2013.

Being featured on Wild n Out on MTV, Bridezilla on WE TV, Rap City on BET, Love & Hip Hop at VH1, and becoming a part of the Barbados Tour with Bad Girls Club Natalie Nunn, has helped him become a top name in the clubbing world of New York. He was one of those individuals who did not let their passion die and worked tirelessly to achieve their dreams. DJ Beyond serves as an inspiration for all aspiring DJs and musicians, as he made a strong identity for himself in an industry he admired and among people who influenced him, from ground zero.

Entertainment

Getting to Know Adeia’s Fingerprints on Entertainment Evolution

Published

4 months ago

December 18, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo courtesy of Adeia

By Joy Reyes

Behind every streaming recommendation, smart TV search, and seamless device switch lies hidden technology powering your modern entertainment experience. Although people might not know Adeia, they have likely used its technology many times. The company’s inventions are embedded in the modern entertainment experience, from sophisticated content recommendation systems to seamless multi-device streaming capabilities.

“Our basic inventions shape the way millions of people explore and experience entertainment and improve billions of devices in an increasingly connected world,” says Serhad Doken, chief technology officer (CTO) at Adeia.

Building upon this foundation, “we create tools that make watching shows easier and more fun. These tools work on televisions (TVs), phones, and other devices, no matter where or how you watch. They help organize your entertainment in a way that feels just right for you,” Serhad Doken adds.

Connecting Traditional and Modern Media

At the heart of today’s entertainment landscape lies a crucial challenge: bridging the gap between traditional television and modern streaming platforms. One of Adeia’s key strengths is its ability to connect traditional linear television with the new age of streaming services. The company licenses its patented media inventions for traditional linear television in North America and internationally through its extensive portfolio of patents.

This comprehensive approach ensures seamless integration with over-the-top media service (OTT), direct-to-consumer, and social media services that provide access to entertainment inside and outside the home on a broad array of devices. The result is a unified entertainment experience catering to traditional viewers and digital-first consumers.

“We believe the continued growth of video consumption, the changes in how consumers explore and experience video, and the need for content storage and high-performance computing present new opportunities for us to continue to develop patentable inventions,” Serhad Doken explains.

Improving Content Discovery

In an age where the average viewer can access thousands of shows and movies across multiple platforms, finding what to watch can be as challenging as creating the content itself. To address this content overload, Adeia has been solving this problem by developing new solutions for content discovery that make the viewing experience more intuitive and personalized.

At the forefront of these innovations is Adeia’s universal search capability, which allows for unified discovery across live, recorded, on-demand, and streaming content sources. This groundbreaking solution means viewers no longer need to jump between different apps or platforms to find what they want to watch — Adeia’s universal search brings it all together in one place.

Moreover, the company improves content discovery further with its personalized discovery experiences. Using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, this includes personalized recommendations, predictive results, and popular and trending content suggestions. By analyzing viewing patterns and preferences, Adeia presents viewers with content that matches their interests and viewing habits.

Recognizing the growing prominence of voice-controlled smart home devices, Adeia has also developed a conversational interface to interpret voice commands and requests. This technology supports natural, conversational dialogue and interaction with smart responses, making it easier for viewers to find and control their entertainment.

Improving the Viewing Experience

Modern viewers expect a seamless entertainment experience across all their devices, and Adeia’s technologies make this possible. Their multi-device experience technology allows viewers to start watching a show on one device and smoothly transition to another without missing a beat.

To enhance the binge-watching experience that has become synonymous with modern streaming, Adeia has developed technologies that connect viewers with entertainment on their terms. These include features that automatically play the next episode or remember where viewers left off across different devices.

Perhaps most exciting is Adeia’s work in immersive content. “We are creating unrestricted entertainment experiences that are more engaging and gratifying than ever before,” Serhad Doken says. “This includes dynamic advertising, gaming, wagering, and even shoppable video integrated into content.”

Impact on Semiconductors

While Adeia’s influence on the entertainment industry is substantial, its inventions are not limited to this sector. According to Serhad Doken, the company also leads in semiconductor technology, developing solutions that expand the possibilities in electronic devices.

“With the rising cost of advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes, the sector is looking beyond Moore’s Law toward advanced packaging and three-dimensional (3D) integration technologies,” Serhad Doken explains, adding that its skilled team and labs in California and North Carolina create advanced 3D integration methods. These methods, like hybrid bonding, help make future electronics work better, faster, and smaller.

The Future of Entertainment Technology

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Adeia will continue to play an important role in shaping it. With its extensive research and development capabilities and broad portfolio of patented technologies, the company is well-positioned to address the needs of both content providers and consumers.

This positioning has recently been reinforced by a significant development in Adeia’s business. The company has entered into a multi-year agreement with Amazon, covering Adeia’s media intellectual property portfolio. This partnership with one of the world’s largest and most innovative companies underscores the value and relevance of Adeia’s technologies in the digital entertainment space.

Paul E. Davis, Adeia’s chief executive officer, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating, “Amazon plays a massive role in today’s innovation society. This collaboration validates Adeia’s technological prowess and promises to expand our developments’ reach and impact.”

“We are excited about the future of entertainment technology,” Serhad Doken concludes. “As video consumption continues to grow and change, and as new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) become more common, we will be there, developing new inventions that improve the way people explore, experience, and enjoy entertainment.”

In addition to the significant agreement with Amazon, Adeia has also recently renewed its long-standing partnership with Sharp Corporation. This renewal extends a relationship that has lasted for over 25 years.

Mark Kokes, Adeia’s chief licensing officer and general manager of media, commented on the renewal, highlighting Sharp’s reputation as a global leader in entertainment technology and its expertise in display technologies.

The renewed agreement covers Sharp’s smart TVs and consumer electronics, further solidifying Adeia’s position in the media technology sector.

These recent developments underscore the momentum in Adeia’s business, showcasing its ability to retain long-term partners like Sharp and attract new, influential clients like Amazon.

With its growing list of high-profile partnerships and ongoing innovations, Adeia is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of digital entertainment. The company’s advanced R&D efforts consistently result in fundamental innovations that power next-generation products, delivering breakthroughs in digital experiences for both consumer and enterprise applications.

Through its innovative solutions and forward-thinking approach, Adeia’s influence can be felt throughout the development of the entertainment industry, from the fundamental technologies that power our devices to the intuitive interfaces that help us discover and enjoy content. As we move into an increasingly connected future, Adeia’s technologies continue to shape how we interact with and experience digital entertainment.