By Nicholas Jason Lopez
After he initially retired from his musical endeavors, Dwayne Smith took to the professional wrestling ring under the name Titan, where he has delivered gutsy performances against well-known talent like Luke Gallows and Glacier.
Music eventually called back to him, as he began to find and produce custom entrance music for his colleagues in wrestling promotions across the United States. It wasn’t long before he stepped back into the recording studio to drop bars once again as “DJ Money.”
Over the course of his music career, he has worked with artists such as Boyz In Da Hood and Jody Breeze. Last year, he dropped his third album ‘Bottom Of The Bottle,’ with the title track accompanied by a powerful music video that speaks to the power of alcoholism and suicide prevention.
Outside the ring, he also serves as the Vice President of the U.S. Operations for Fighting For Autism, an organization that promotes autism awareness and advocacy and helps improve the quality of life for children and families living with autism around the world.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with the Dalton, Ga.-based artist about his music and more.
Music Bugle – Being someone that is jumping from pro wrestling to music, what would you say is the biggest challenge?
DJ Money – Well I was in music before and retired, so the transition was pretty easy. The businesses are pretty similar, actually.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
DJ Money – Honestly, it hasn’t changed much for me, other than working from home more from time to time.
Music Bugle – Which of your songs were the hardest to write?
DJ Money – The hardest songs for me to write, honestly, are club hits. (Laughs) I used to be a DJ, so you think those would be easier, but nope! I draw blanks every time.
Music Bugle – How was your 2020 and what do you hope for in 2021?
DJ Money – 2020 really didn’t change things for me on a personal level, except for losing my grandmother who helped raise me. That was hard to deal with.
Music Bugle – Away from music and wrestling, what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
DJ Money – I think the thing that shocks people the most is I grew up with weekends and summers on a farm. It shocks a lot of people. Nothing about my demeanor says, “Farm Boy.”
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
DJ Money – I have been listening to a lot of Jelly Roll, Upchurch, Mesus, Adam Calhoun and Kendrick Lamar recently.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need to escape?
DJ Money – I typically don’t get to escape. I am a dad 24/7. My wife and I have three kids. I have two with her, that are on the autism spectrum and one with an ex. I never get time off.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
DJ Money – “You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets,” by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Music Bugle – What makes you the most proud about where you come from?
DJ Money – The thing that makes me proud of where I’m from is the same thing that I can’t stand about it – it’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone, so privacy and mistakes are always brought up.
Music Bugle – What’s something you wish happened more in today’s music/pro wrestling communities?
DJ Money – One word, capital letters – Unity. If everyone, not just artists or workers, could find the word “unity” in “humanity,” this world would be a better place.
