Rising Stars: Meet Tre Hunter of Mid City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tre Hunter

Hi Tre, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started in August 2022, after making a major life/career shift deciding to stop pursuing basketball. Before I discovered DJ’ing I picked up a regular job in a nightclub in Los Angeles. One day I decided to go to the store and buy myself some speakers and a DJ controller and teach myself to DJ. The initial plan wasn’t to “become a DJ” I was just searching for things I was passionate about outside of basketball. Something I could find to bring me pure joy, and something I could in my own time anytime I wanted to. I was soul-searching to be honest and music found its way to me.

I instantly fell in love with DJ’ing. It’s hard to explain but the way certain opportunities presented themselves so early on, it’s always felt like something I’m meant to be doing. Within 4 months of me learning, I had my first headlining club night in LA. 6 months in I was a resident DJ for all the Soho House locations in Los Angeles. Within my first year I managed to play all around the city, from clubs to high end restaurants/lounges and private events.

Over this past year I began expanding my music knowledge/tastes by traveling to different cities that have a rich history of music and club culture. Spent a lot of time between New York and London as well as taking my first trip to Amsterdam. After seeing/studying the underground scene in London I told myself this is something I need to do, and I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to play there on 2 different occasions as well as doing my first radio set for Brixton Radio. I noticed how much the travel helped me DJ here in LA because I’m able to introduce people to a lot of music they may be hearing for the first time, weaved in with the more familiar songs they’re used to. My goal is to be able to play around the world therefore it’s so important for me to understand all the different scenes before stepping behind the decks and just playing whatever I feel like playing.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say the road has been “smooth” but I would say that the pace of it has been exactly what it needed to be. While I was blessed to have some opportunities present themselves early on, it wasn’t to the point I ever felt in over my head. It’s a strange relationship because my love for music is so deep, even before becoming a DJ/Producer. However, being that basketball was my first love I’m able to have a certain detachment with the career aspect of it and just fully enjoy whatever comes of it if that makes sense.. I think the biggest difference I’ve found between sports and the arts is that art is extremely subjective. Therefore I don’t take it personal or expect to be everyone’s favourite DJ. Obviously I do my best to play for the audience I’m in front of but at the end of the day I always try to play music I genuinely love. It has to have soul to it and it has to make me feel something. If I had to name a struggle I’d say it’s been trying to stay patient in the learning process. I get inspired so quickly from so many different environments that at times I overwhelm myself trying to implement everything I discovered at once.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I DJ, and over the past 4-5 months I’ve recently started teaching myself to produce as well. I’m most proud of my ability to play for a variety of different spaces. Learning how to play for intimate settings, beach settings, day settings, night settings, big room clubs, underground clubs etc. This is obviously the requirement of any professional DJ but I’m just proud of the fact I managed to understand it early on and I think is something that will serve me in the long run. There’s a way to make every set special and unique.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m super big on collaborating and supporting other artists and DJ’s. There’s plenty of room for us all and music is such a universal language. Dm’ing me on Instagram (@treleehunter), email treleehunter4@gmail.com, or just come pop out to a show and connect with me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treleehunter/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@treleehunter
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/treleehunter

Image Credits
Darielle Rose- Instagram: @theawakenedcreative