Raised in Columbia, South Carolina, DJ Carolina X – born Nathaniel Perkins Jr. – used his social network to jump into the DJ scene at age 16. Perkins began performing early, hosting teen parties in the Columbia area. While in Columbia, he was picked up for radio in early 2015 by DJ Loui Vee and Tutu Durant for IHeart Radio. He would eventually move to Charlotte and ride the radio airwaves from the Carolinas to Virginia and Tennessee. He has been on that ride for around seven years, and his experience shows. He is expanding his horizon, and he has gotten airplay as far west as Texas.
When Perkins was coming up, Lil Jon was one of the hottest artists in hip-hop, and DJ Carolina X liked what he was hearing from him. He knew that he wanted to produce something similar to Lil Jon’s sound, and it was then that he fell in love with the art of DJ’ing. Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Linkin Park, Nas and Michael Jackson were some other artists who inspired Carolina X and gave him exposure to multiple genres. “They pretty much shaped the way I view music as a whole,” he said. “…it comes down to lyricism, storytelling and production.”
Eventually, Carolina X began working with mega hip-hop celebrities, opening for Lil Baby, Future, DaBaby, Nicki Minaj, Latto, A Tribe Called Quest, 21 Savage and many others. However, he is most proud of the work he did with his brother, Zay the Goat. They toured across the country together in late 2021, and Carolina X is convinced that his brother is about to blow-up. “His energy is unmatched when it comes to performing,” Perkins said. Carolina X says that the experience of touring with Zay has him ready to tour again soon.
DJ Carolina X just produced and dropped “Fast Lane,” a collaboration with his partner NFL NIQUE, and the DJ believes strongly in its potential. “The video is coming soon, and the track provides all the energy for the club and as a single for the radio,” he said. He now has his eyes set on one day touring the world and working with artists from all over.
So, follow this rising star at www.djcarolinax.com and on Instagram and Twitter @djcarolinax, and watch as he expands his horizon. “My goal is to see myself as a staple not only in the Carolina scene but globally too as a DJ and producer,” he said. “I want to one day be among the ranks of a DJ Clue, DJ Infamous, DJ Envy and DJ Khaled. “Those DJs stand out to me not only in skill but their brand. That’s the spot I need to be in.”
add comment