Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles loves music. That’s one of the reasons he was on hand at the Best Buy Theater in New York City’s Times Square to be among the first to play Activision’s new Guitar Hero Live game. The four-time Pro Bowler is the NFL’s all-time leader in career yards per carry average among running backs and he’s the Chief’s rushing yards career leader. He’s scored 57 touchdowns in his four years in the NFL.
But when he’s not breaking NFL rushing records, Charles loves to DJ. The running back claims Guitar Hero games introduced him to new music genres while he was at the University of Texas in Austin and he’s now completely immersed in the club scene as a DJ during the off-season – a hobby that could become a career for him after hanging up his cleats.
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Charles explains why Guitar Hero allows fans to experience life as a rock star, and talks about his own love of music and fashion in this exclusive interview.
What’s a favorite memory you have from playing Guitar Hero?
When I heard the announcement was coming, I was excited to come out here to play Guitar Hero because I used to play it in college. It came out when I was in college, so I remember the drum set that came with it and you played it with a whole band. I got a chance to play the game and feel like I was a rock star on it because it feels so live. People are talking back to you and they’re making faces. I think it’s cool.
Why do you think even NFL athletes aspire to be rock stars?
The rock star thing is more like being yourself, wearing anything you want to, being crazy and being wild. That’s the thing about a lot of people that want to be rock stars. You want to go out and party like a rock star. I think it’s fun being a rock star. I think it’s cool. You learn about a different culture too. I definitely grew up with hip hop and rap, but now I get to step out of my environment and learn about rock. It’s music I probably would have never listened to unless I’m playing the game. And you get to know the words too.
Did you ever dream of becoming a rock star?
I definitely did. I DJ. I do it just for a hobby, man, and I love music. I love different cultures of music like reggae, pop, and now they told me they got pop music in Guitar Hero. They got all kinds of music, so it’s definitely going to be fun to play the game and then you can play it online. I can play with my friends around the country, so I mean it’s going to be fun.
What’s it like going from the NFL season and then DJing in clubs?
The only thing about that is you’re going in front of a crowd. They’re coming to see you and you got to play. You got to go out there and be yourself. When you go off season and DJ, you got to go out and please the crowd by playing the right music. That’s what Guitar Hero reminds me of because if you miss a note the crowd gets mad. When you’re not playing the right song at the club, they sit down and say, “Oh, man, the DJ is whack.” It definitely gives me another mindset of what I’m about to do when I’m playing music.
What is your mindset when you’re trying to create the perfect dance mix for people?
Just try to see what people listen to everyday in every city. What’s on the top 20 list? I try to see that and go from there. And when I put a music list together I make sure I play those songs so I can make it last for the rest of the night. I’ll play two here, then spread another song and then I’ll play another two later, just to keep everybody upbeat and going.
What’s your DJ name?
I just use DJ Charles right now because it reminds me a lot of the people who recognize me and know me by my name, so I don’t want to do DJ Firehouse.
Where have you DJ’d?
I DJ around the country right now, including New York, LA, Texas, and Kansas City.
It’s a much different crowd in Kansas City than in New York, right?
Definitely, you got to be upbeat in New York because they got people that DJ every night out there. In LA, it’s Hollywood out there so you got the Snoop Dogg and you got Reggae music and all that. In Texas it’s more like me, so I can play what I want because I’m from Texas and I know some of the big rappers out there. In Missouri sometime you don’t know what you’re going to play because it’s in the Midwest. For me, DJing is trying to find a hobby that I can do when I retire. It’s what’s going to get me out of bed after I retire.
How does being a DJ impact you when you just go to a club for fun?
If the DJ’s good I give him his props, but if the DJ’s whack I try to go give him some pointers. “Hey man, you need to play this song, man.” I get to go up there and try to interact with them. “Yeah man, I DJ too. I think you should play these five songs right here.”
What do you look for when it comes to your fashion style?
What I’m looking for now is grown man stuff. I try to go with a collar shirt and some slacks with some loafers on. If I’m just going out for the day, Puma’s got some great work and lifestyle clothes — and I’m sponsored by Puma — so I put on Puma clothes during the day. If I’m going out to a real nice event I like Berluti shoes. I like Louis Vuitton. I like all the high fashion stuff. I think if I wasn’t doing this, I’d be a fashion adviser. I’d pick out clothes for people. I’ve got taste. I’ve got swag. I’ve got all the elements to be a fashion adviser.
How do you dress when you DJ?
When DJing I just try to be comfortable and try to be creative. That’s what it’s all about.
