Trendsetting in the Music Industry with Trendsetter Sense

When DJ Trendsetter Sense sat down with host King Cyz on WhatItIzWhatItBeezLike?!, listeners were treated to more than a trip down hip hop memory lane. The conversation traced his journey from shaping Atlanta’s legendary mixtape culture to building a kingdom-driven movement with Chosen Journey. With humility and conviction, Sense offered wisdom on music, faith, and the responsibility of being a true trendsetter.

From Gangsta Grillz to Chosen Journey

Sense’s name is etched into hip hop history through his work alongside DJ Drama and Don Cannon in building the Gangsta Grillz movement. He recalls those early days in Atlanta, when industry giants like T.I., Ludacris, and Lil Jon would pull up to a humble duplex studio. What started with mixtapes in cramped rooms blossomed into a cultural force that introduced a new sound and spotlighted Southern voices.

Yet, as he reflects, the formula wasn’t only about beats and bars. It was about community, innovation, and vision—qualities that now drive his latest work, Chosen Journey. The key difference today? The mission is explicitly kingdom first. For Sense, it’s no longer just about breaking records; it’s about breaking chains.

Defining a True Trendsetter

When asked how his definition of “trendsetter” has evolved, Sense emphasized that it’s never been about following the crowd. “I always wanted to be part of something we could create,” he explained. That creative independence, rooted in faith, set him apart from the beginning.

To him, trendsetting isn’t about chasing recognition—it’s about taking the road less traveled, trusting God’s direction, and creating spaces where others can thrive. Whether working with mainstream icons like Monica and Usher or today’s rising voices in Christian hip hop, Sense sees his role as connecting the dots and making sure the culture rises together.

Lessons from Icons

Sense’s stories of working with legends reveal the qualities that separate icons from everyone else. He recalls Monica sitting in his apartment for hours, recording freestyles and breaking her future hit So Gone on his mixtape. What struck him wasn’t her fame, but her focus. She didn’t care about the environment or appearances—she cared about the music and the mission.

“That’s what makes someone iconic,” Sense said. “They know what they want to do, and they don’t let circumstances distract them.” It’s a lesson he believes CHH artists and DJs can learn as they navigate a growing but still developing community.

Kingdom First in Every Room

One of the most powerful themes of the conversation was Sense’s refusal to separate his faith from his artistry. Whether in a church setting or a mainstream event like Coalition DJs’ New Music Mondays, he boldly centers the message of Christ. “I didn’t turn that switch off and just talk about the song,” he shared. “I spoke about the kingdom.”

This conviction has shaped Chosen Journey, his podcast and platform designed to remind people that everyone has a purpose. With initiatives like his “Can I Pray With You?” campaign and collaborations with CHH artists such as Big Breeze and Keon Boom, Sense is using his gifts to reach both the faithful and the searching.

Advice for the Next Generation

For young DJs and artists, Sense’s advice is clear: start with prayer, study, and purpose. Don’t chase materials or fame. Instead, let God reveal how your gifts can serve the kingdom. He stresses that there’s room for everyone—MCs, DJs, producers, and creatives—to contribute to a larger movement if they embrace collaboration over competition.

“Look what we’re doing,” he said. “That’s the mindset that makes doors fly open for everybody.”

The Chosen Journey Ahead

As the interview closed, it was clear that Trendsetter Sense’s story isn’t just about music—it’s about a lifestyle of faith, resilience, and service. He has seen both the top and the bottom, yet his authenticity fuels his mission to impact culture with hope and truth.

In today’s media landscape, being a trendsetter doesn’t mean chasing what’s popular. It means setting a new standard—faith, healing, and elevation. And in that, Trendsetter Sense is proving that his name still rings true.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Intro: King Cyz welcomes Trendsetter Sense
0:31 – Marriage, blessings, and new beginnings
1:14 – Collaborating with Big Breeze & Keon Boom
2:14 – Mixtape culture and its legacy
3:12 – Defining what it means to be a “trendsetter”
5:41 – The generational impact of Gangsta Grillz
8:37 – Lessons learned from icons: Monica & Usher stories
11:27 – Comparing mainstream icons to CHH leaders
14:20 – Balancing hip hop roots with a faith-driven purpose
17:30 – What Chosen Journey means to Sense
19:28 – Using platforms to build kingdom movements
20:28 – Why DJs are vital to the culture
22:30 – Advice to the next generation of DJs
23:40 – Philly vs. Atlanta: How each shaped DJ culture
27:47 – Philly’s role in CHH and the need for more voices
30:37 – Eagles or Falcons? Sports loyalty revealed
32:21 – Pairing artists and creating collaborations
34:28 – Being a trendsetter in today’s faith-driven culture
36:52 – Closing words of encouragement