From Brooklyn With Love; DJ Infamous Sleepy Is Still On His Marathon Decades Later
Photos provided by Russell Maynard
By RayJaun Stelly
Born Russell Maynard, but to the world he’s known as DJ Infamous Sleepy, began his musical journey dating back to the 90s while being a student at Elizabeth City State University located in North Carolina. While being a full-time student and with a full school schedule, Maynard managed to frame houses and condos, alongside DJ’ing 95% of the college parties on campus.
“I started DJ’ing in the early 90’s, and by the time I got to college I was DJ’ing 95% of the parties on campus, which helped me during my collegiate journey,” said Maynard. “I finished school and graduated, then got a job working at the world’s largest record label in Def Jam Music Group, and that’s how it started for me. I developed my marketing and promotional company DreamTeam Promotions in 1999 and pursued my career.”
Working with Def Jam Music Group as an intern, once leaving the label he earned a promotion as the Brooklyn Street Team Leader, then was selected to be a tour promoter and toured the country with the label. Alongside working at a historic record label, he developed his promotional company in 1999 as a senior in college before making a career change to Elektra Entertainment Group in 2001 as New York City Market Team Leader and National Distributor for the Urban Department.
Knowing that he always could rap rhymes, Maynard family tree is deep in the music industry from those who rap, produce, DJ and are sound engineers, he seen the lane that has kept him engaged for decades on decades, which is DJ’ing and in addition to that the marketing and promotions that come along with the music industry.
“I found that rapping is cool, I know how to do it, I’ve written hooks for famous artists but that’s not the bread and butter, it’s about being consistent. If I can make money two or three times out of the week, and it’s extra money that’s in my pocket,” said Maynard. “Eight times out of the month, I’m winning, now if I’m a rapper I have to jump through hoops and try to get signed to a record label.”
Maynard continued, “yes you can get that record deal, nine times out of ten you’re going to make more money if you have your own company, if you find a niche for doing something that’s more beneficial for you financially. That’s what I saw with my hustle mentality, I didn't want to be a rapper, although I was heavily influenced by them. I watched video music box as a kid, then DJ’ing in clubs that I shouldn’t have been in, playing records. It was easy for me to get money standing behind turn tables, rather than standing up rapping.”
During his time with Elektra Entertainment Group, he gained relationships with majors and promoted numerous hip-hop artists, Maynard still managed to wear many hats within his entrepreneurial side of things and in 2003 he expanded DreamTeam Promotions to here in Seattle, Washington. With the expansion, he was offered a National Director position position for an Indy Label in Seattle, Maynard oversaw control of 12 different markets and distribution of SeaReal Records.
Discovering Pacific Northwest talent, he found himself turning back the clock and DJ’ing throughout local venues, yet Russell continued to build the brand as he traveled back and forth to the East Coast, the time and dedication he’s poured in to his niche hints to why Maynard has found stability and success throughout his career.
Maynard expressed, “I found out at an early age that PR work, marketing and promotions was something that I was good at, marketing and sales was something that I was good at because I have a gift of being able to talk to people from all walks of life. Working in the music industry is one thing, but with DreamTeam Promotions I was able to expand my ability as brand ambassador, marketer, and sales representative to extend my work ethic into corporate America. That has allowed me to be successful in what I do.”
Building his own business, relationships with artists and fans, Russell evolved into making a podcast which earned a ranking of third and fourth in the world according to Podomatic.com. He then followed up working with Juice Radio, a local hip-hop internet radio station, his two radio shows Cognac & Cutz, Cutz & Vibes ranked in the top five of listeners.
Continuing to build his promotion company, Maynard worked with Microsoft in launching new websites before moving the company to Charlotte, North Carolina and during this time period he would do marketing with Home Depot and still manage both his shows on Juice Radio.
“You don't have to go to every party, be out in the street all the time, yell and scream all the time, take care of your home, take care of the people that are taking care of you who molded you into the fine individual you are,” said Maynard. “I am proud of myself because I’ve seen a lot of hardships and hard times, with all that being said I know that I’m better for it, take everything as a learning experience and life lesson.”
Finding ways to keep getting better and develop, DJ Infamous Sleepy is currently the Podcast Program Director for Blazin 420 WPAM an international online radio station, in addition to that he is still DJ’ing.
“I’m not giving up, God bless Quincy Jones, his first major successful album was Michael Jackson’s Thriller and he produced that album in his 50s. Therefore I will never give up or surrender to sell myself short, there’s so many more accomplishments I have,” said Maynard. “My dreams are not finished, it's definitely not finished, I got a lot more accomplishments as a sound engineer, beat maker, and producer that needs to be completed.”
