The Right Beat: A Q&A with Detroit-based DJ Donavan Glover

DJ Donavan Glover delivers smooth sounds and fresh fits.
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Photograph by Sal Rodriguez

If you frequent popular Detroit clubs like , , or , chances are you have danced the night away to one of 鈥檚 sets.

The 32-year-old Detroit native has been a consistent presence on the city鈥檚 DJing scene since picking up the craft in 2018. Detroit-born singer-songwriter Amp Fiddler and music producer Waajeed, another native Detroiter, were two of Glover鈥檚 mentors and among those who inspired him when he first started out. 鈥淓very venue is a different type of vibe,鈥 Glover says, but folks can expect sets filled with the sounds of Afrobeat, R&B, dance, hip-hop, rap and Caribbean music.

His skills have taken him far, from playing sets in New York and Toronto to joining Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer De鈥橲ean Jones for a five-day residency in San Francisco. Locally, you can catch Glover hosting his 鈥淒on Lite鈥 events alongside fellow local DJs, at Spot Lite, or performing for House Party, an event series by brothers and DJs J House and Masquenada.

Before Glover was laying tracks at local nightlife hotspots, the self-proclaimed polymath launched his career as a photographer and filmmaker in 2010, undertaking projects with friends and emerging talent. He would later add music production to his creative repertoire and produce videos for legends like Amp Fiddler and Elzhi, a former member of the Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village.

Here, we learn a bit more about the man behind the turntables.

Glover wears a one-of-one 鈥淣ative Not Local鈥 leather jacket designed by Dams in Distress, a St眉ssy tee, Cac- tus Jack X Nike pants from Detroit鈥檚 Xhibition, and the Staple X Crocs clog. A chain from local jewelry brand SSR and a trucker hat from Detroit clothing label Chene Parc round out the look. // Photograph by Sal Rodriguez.

My personal style is 鈥 Comfortable. I like ath-leisure 鈥 whatever feels comfortable, functions well, and is essential. I work closely with a stylist from Michigan; her name is Brittany Roberson. Our vision was to step out of the box鈥擨 used to wear a lot of black and neutrals with colors and vintage button-up shirts. Now, as the seasons change, I鈥檓 going with a monochromatic [look].

My performance essentials: I gotta have some type of accessory on, whether it鈥檚 a necklace or a watch. And I always bring a camera with me; even if I don鈥檛 use it, I just gotta have it.

My favorite local shops and brands: I wear , Rick [and Yolanda] Williams鈥 brand. That鈥檚 a dope Detroit brand. I also wear this Detroit-based accessory brand called SSR, by my friend Saybin [Roberson]. I wear a few of her necklaces. Detroit sneaker and clothing boutique Two18. I鈥檓 getting into sneakers; I was never a sneakerhead like that. And my boy, Nelson [Sanders Jr., founder of ], he鈥檚 known me since I was 6, so I always gotta support him. I always wear his navy [Dandy Worker Jacket].

My most memorable set: One good one was opening for Moodymann at Deluxx [Fluxx] in 2021. That was a cool one.

If I could only listen to one musician for life, it would be 鈥 Kid Cudi.

What makes a great DJ: What I鈥檝e learned, and what I鈥檓 currently learning, is that organization is key. Learning when to play certain things and how to play them is big 鈥 knowing when to introduce people to something new that you know is totally different. You鈥檝e got to come with a strategy, then depending on where the vibe takes you, you鈥檙e allowed to bounce around and [improvise].

New year, new 鈥 Perspective for living a great life.

Find out where Glover will be performing next on his Instagram, .


This story is from the January 2023听issue of 香港六合彩图库资料 magazine. Read more in our digital edition.听础苍诲听click here听for more MI Style.听