Carnage is a man of many aliases. From birth name Diamante Blackmon, to the social media stylized Papi Gordo, to titled head honcho of #ChipotleGang, to the self-proclaimed “Kanye West of EDM” and finally, known most formally by his stage name, Dj Carnage. This disc jockey has made an incredible ascension in the electronic dance music realm over the past few years. Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Guatemala, this 25-year-old dj, singer, producer has a style and flare all his own, and is renowned for his intense energy during his shows. He does, says, eats, and spins whatever he wants. He’s probably one of the most brash entertainers of today, and his fans adore every bit of it. His multifaceted, carpe diem inspired motif and innate passion for his craft are what draws his mammoth-sized crowds.
After dropping out during his sophomore year of high school, moving across the nation and sleeping on a buddy’s couch until his rise to the top, Carnage is no stranger to risking it all for his dreams. His tenacity and unwillingness to throw in the towel are what ultimately ensured his paradigm shift from struggle to success. Since his big break with the legendary Dj Tiesto spinning live in front of a half a million fans on YouTube, Carnage has catapulted upward in the EDM/Trap scene. He later would produce a remix to Hardwell’s 2012 colossal hit, “Spaceman,” which expedited his career, thus spawning a large Soundcloud following, back to back concerts and tours, as well as locking in accredited collaborations with other djs and producers, such as KSHMR, Borgore, Headhunterz, and Timmy Trumpet, while releasing a slew of carefree, explicit remixes of his own along the way. His single “The Underground,” co-produced with Alvaro in 2014, is possibly his most notable work to date, later followed by “Toca” and “I Like Tuh” released in 2015 under Ultra Records.
In essence, this man is a large-room house performer, festival trapaholic, Spanish beat-smith hybrid, who relishes in every bit of his popularity and has no problem labeling himself as the best in the game, which, he may very well be. After all, you can’t deny his marketing genius, as he’s had his hand in multiple baskets within the industry, has received countless nods for his diverse remix tailoring from multiple genres, and even scored himself a lifetime supply of Chipotle. Not to mention, he’s got a rabid, ever escalating fan base that fuels his unabashed ego. With no reserves or regrets, he’s an influential success story, and is damn good at what he does.
Now based in Los Angeles, Carnage is constantly touring and performing. His debut album, Papi Gordo, is currently on iTunes. Listen to a few gems from his body of work and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Be sure to catch him spinning at JMBLYA 2016. Get your tickets here.
