Walter "Dj Menace" Chavez

Walter E. Chavez, aka DJ Menace was born January 19, 1982, and raised in Washington, D.C. in the streets of Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights. His parents and family are of Salvadorian origin. He attended Bancroft Elementary School and graduated from Bell Multicultural High School. At a very early age he decided that one day he wanted to become a well known DJ within the D.C. Metropolitan area. This inspiration came about from his cousin Jose Geovany Chavez, aka DJ Geo. He usually played in El Faro, once a prominent restaurant and night club in Adams Morgan. Unexpectedly, DJ Geo passed away. It was at this point where Walter decided to follow DJ Geo's footsteps and keep his dream alive through the art of music as a DJ.

Slowly Walter began to gather and build DJ equipment through his part time jobs while attending high school. He began mixing Hip-Hop and R& B which were some of his favorite beats among others including Latin beats of Bachata and Merengue. He was offered little gigs here and there at college events, private parties, birthday parties including family gatherings.

He became a promoter and DJ for many of the hottest night clubs in the Washington, D.C. area including, Acropolis, Puntos, Insomnia, Dream, and Millenium. Impressive! So much talent at such a young age. He held his first office job at the D.C. Energy Office (DCEO) where he worked for about two years. He was a very hard working young man who helped many, especially within the Hispanic community.

In the fall of 2001, he became a participant of the Midnight Forum Program, which is a non-profit organization that provides free after-school and summer work programs for the youth between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. Their main goal is to get teenagers and young adults prepared to become good leaders, artists and entrepreneurs. Through this program and as an intern with DJ Six-Sense (DJ at Platinum and WKYS 93.9 FM radio station) DJ Menace learned about the business side of being a radio, club, party and music group DJ. Another DJ who made a difference in his life was DJ True who taught him how to blend beats and scratch. Thanks to the great knowledge of different mentors at such programs, he obtained a job at the Latin American Youth Center teaching young kids the art of a DJ in 2002. Some of these DJs have played for MIGO Productions parties and events, including MIGO's own DJ Alexx. For more information on DJ Menace's success story, you can also visit Midnight Forum's website.

Through his hard work during the day at DCEO, promoting and DJing for different events and night clubs, and his acquired knowledge at the Midnight Forum, Walter decided it was time to come up with his own company. MIGO Productions came to be in the Summer/Fall of 2002. This was his baby, his biggest dream and pay off for all the hard work it took to get himself out there as a well-known talented DJ. Walter invited many of his high school friends and family members to help him promote his new company, and while there was a lot of work and restless nights, everyone enjoyed every experience.

One summer vacation trip to Puerto Rico was all it took to get him into the Reggaeton fever. He was a big fan of Plan B, and other Reggaeton artists including Nicky Jam, Don Omar, Don Chezina, DJ Blass, Tego Calderon, Wisin y Yandel , Ivy Queen and many more! During the Reggaeton explosion, DJ Menace was out there bringing out the best of his mixes which made him popular. Where ever he was he brought in a big crowd. He definitely livened up the dance floor with his Hip-Hop and Reggaeton mixes. Walter had amazing charisma and audiences loved him and connected to him through his music. To expand the Reggaeton explosion to new audiences and publicize MIGO Productions and his talent, Walter created two great reggaeton mixes which he distributed among his supporters, Various Reggaeton and Reggaeton Mix Tape Vol. 3. The response he received from these mixtapes made him proud and confident. During this same time, Walter began appearing and producing on local artists' tracks. Many of these artists and groups worked closely with Walter to produce and market their music and his talent. Walter was always looking for new music and different sounds to inspire his mixes and techniques. Walter became even more motivated to continue pursuing his ultimate dreams. Walter wanted his company to be well known not only within the D.C. Metropolitan area, but also in many other states.

Unfortunately, Walter passed away in a car accident on Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2003, and was buried on New Year's Eve. This was a tragic moment not only for his family, but also to his MIGO Productions crew and fanatics. He was only twenty-one with an upcoming birthday in January. His memory will live forever within the hearts of all his family, friends, supporters and MIGO crew. His efforts and hard work will be remembered and reflected through his company. He shall always be remembered as Walter DJ Menace Chavez, "The King of Reggaeton".