DJ Specs gives up university to juggle music

In 2020, when Anthony Parker, known to his fans as DJ Specs, decided to trade his textbooks for turntables, he didn't just pivot his career -- he pivoted his entire life.

At just 25 years old, this Kingston-born DJ has already carved out a space for himself in Jamaica's entertainment industry. But while many knows him for his electrifying mixes and ability to 'build a vibes' in any party, there's one thing that many don't know about the man behind the decks: fatherhood.

"I didn't exactly take the 'traditional' route," Specs admitted casually. "After high school, I went straight into deejaying. It was a slow burn at first -- because I was just doing small gigs, building my skills, getting my name out there. But when I started University of Technology, and after my first semester of doing a business administration degree, COVID hit and school was on pause. I was just home doing nothing, and I realised I had to make a choice." As he was contending with the pandemic and its uncertainties, he found out he was going to be a dad.

"Right when school shut down I knew what I had to do," says Specs, reflecting on the moment he made that crucial decision. "I just took school closing as a directive, since I'm already working; now to take care of my child and then school? I had to sacrifice something, and I sacrificed school."

For Specs, the decision wasn't hard. His family, especially his mom, was beyond supportive.

"She was more excited about me having a child than whether or not I finished university," he laughs.

"To her, it was like, forget the degree for now, she's having a grandchild!" The deejay's mom wasn't alone in celebrating his new role as a father. His entire family rallied behind him, offering both support and encouragement.

And while many may think of deejays as the life of the party -- attracting endless attention from partygoers -- Specs is quick to poke at one of the biggest misconceptions about his profession.

"Everybody says that the deejay dem a the number one gyallis, but I'm here having a hard time," he jokes.

Another misconception is that a lot of people feel like deejaying is easy, and it's not until you reach a level like me, where you're going to a lot of different spaces and meeting a lot of different crowds, that you have to adjust constantly to spaces and coming out of your comfort zone. We have to do the research, do the work, put together the music, and practise to get the job done. It's really easier said than done."

"I had to practise a lot -- putting together sets, researching tracks, reading the crowd," he admits.

"It's not just about playing music, it's about understanding the vibe. I can tell what a crowd wants. You feel it. If a song isn't hitting, you know right away, and you have to change it up before the energy drops."

That ability to read the room has been key to Specs' rise in the industry. His knack for picking the right song at the right moment is something that comes from experience -- years of perfecting his craft, playing at local parties, and gaining exposure at high-profile events. "You can't please everyone, but if you know how to work the crowd, the majority will vibe with you," he explains.

By 2022, DJ Specs had found his home with one of the island's most sought-after crews: Code Red Sound. This move marked a huge leap forward. From small gatherings to massive events like Sandz and Dream Weekend, DJ Specs began to make waves.

Looking ahead, DJ Specs is eager to take his career to new heights. "I want to start travelling," he shares. "I've done the big events, I've played for thousands, but I haven't seen the world with my music yet. That's the next dream."

The disc jock is not ruling out getting a university degree, but for now, his focus is on what he's passionate about. "If I ever go back to school, it'll be for my mom," he says,