Stay On Track with OnTrack

Over 1 year ago I decided to start an entertainment blog for our Caribbean community. I felt like there was a void that needed to be filled. Not with Bacchanal or Drama. Just Fun, Entertaining, Information from the people in our Caribbean Circle. One of the first people that came to mind was a guy I've seen over the years build an empire from the ground up. He is an inspiration to many of use who dream of taking the leap and becoming an Entrepreneur. Ontrack as we know him, took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his life and his plans for the future.  Keep in mind this interview is over a year old and he has stayed true to every word.

Who is Ontrack? Where are you from?
I'm the GO TO GUY. A cool dude who is cool with everyone and I just want to see everyone doing well. I'm also from Panama.

When did you decide to open a restaurant?
In August 2015 I started working with a restaurant called Greenlight Lounge. By Christmas eve of that same year we parted ways.  From January 2016 - March 2016 I was on the hunt for a new space to open my own restaurant.  By April I found the perfect spot and I had my grand opening on May 15th.  Palooza Restaurant didn't feel right so we decided to go with Palooza Kitchen. 

Was there ever a moment where you wanted to give up?
No. After the way things ended with Greenlight, I put on my blinders and I became focused. I become driven when someone underestimates me and I want to show them I can get things done. 

What is your role here at Palooza Kitchen?
I do Everything. From the shopping, Inventory, Payroll to Accounting.

What is your Favorite Dish here at Palooza?
My favorite dish is the Brown Stew Snapper.

What is the customers Favorite Dish?
They love the Salmon pasta and Sorrell wings.

Can you cook?
Yes I can cook. Growing up in Panama I played sports, but I was always in the kitchen with my grandmother and aunt. My parents owned a bakery in Panama so I knew the business. I wanted to go to Culinary school but I wasn’t paying $30k for people to show me how to cook.  Especially when I learned for free from my grandma and mom.

Who cooks at home?
I do, but not much cooking gets done at home except for the holidays. It's part of the deal I have with my fiancee. 

On your off time what do you like to do?
I like to be home with my son and daughter, Family Time.

What's next for Ontrack?
One year ago Greenlight lounge closed down and that is where I will be opening my new lounge called BROOKLYN PRIME.

What is the most expensive thing you broke?
I brought a ceramic Santa Claus when I was younger.

Where are some unusual places you've been?
Haiti, never thought I would visit, but it was one of the best vacations I ever had.

White or Dark Liquor?
It depends on the mood, mainly Dark.

What movie /song quote do you use on a regular basis?
Stay On Track

WCW Award

We sat down and spoke with the talented, humble and Beautiful DJ NuNu. The female DJ that is taking the Caribbean scene by Storm. You've seen her playing music in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Houston, DC and her hometown of Brooklyn NY just to name a few places.

Who is DJ NUNU? Dj Nunu is an international female dj, trying to showcase her talent to the world.

Where did you get the name DJ Nunu? It was a nickname given to me in high school, it originally came from the ATL movie.

What Island do you represent? Trinidad

What inspired you to be a DJ? I always had a passion for music and I loved the art of djing so I was eager to learn the craft. I use to study the way djs would play play in parties, from different song selections and how the crowd reactions to it. I use to watch random videos on YouTube that had anything to do with djing, thinking to myself I want to be able to do this one day.

When did you start to DJ? I started djing in 2007.

Where was the biggest crowd you played for? Xaymaca international in Jamaica 

What makes you nervous? Big crowds actually make me nervous but I loveeee playing for large crowds at the same time lol. 

Is it difficult working in a Male Dominated Industry? It is definitely a challenge working in a male dominated industry, I don’t believe they respect female Dj’s as much as they do with men. We are very overlooked and underrated. 

What would you change about this Industry? A lot! Would definitely encourage the Industry to be able to come together as one instead of the constant fight down. I know that’s a hard thing to change but it would definitely make a difference if people were able to communicate better with one another and be able to work together. So many big things can happen if we all simply just work together instead of going against one another. 

What is something you dislike about promoters? I dislike when promoters feel they can take advantage when it comes to paying the djing for their services. 

What is something you dislike about party goers/Crowd? I feel like some of the crowd needs to be more open minded when it comes to music, instead of sticking in that one mind frame of only wanting to hear the top 20 songs. There is so much music to be heard! 

What song gives you life? This is hard because there’s a bunch, but I every time I hear Big Bad Soca it gives me life. 

What song makes you want to leave a fete or Road? Palance 🌚

What other DJ would you like to work with? Walshy Fire, B2B 

What’s the best DJ experience you had so far? My top two would be Hookie DC and Xaymaca International. 

What’s next for DJ Nunu? My goal is too be able to travel more, there’s so many different opportunities that I want to be able to experience. I want to be able to expand my brand beyond my goals that I set for myself, it may not be easy but I eventually will make it happen. 

Which one do you like the most as a DJ Road or Fete? Road, that adrenaline rush feeling on the road is indescribable! 

Favorite Color? Turquoise 

Favorite Food? Love seafood, preferably Salmon 

Johnny or Circo? JOHNNYYYY Advice for a female DJ. My advice would be to keep going no matter what obstacles you may face. There's always going to be difficult times you face especially being a female in this industry, but your passion for music wouldn’t let that get in the way. Every time you perform whether the fete is empty or full, play like it is your last performance because you never know who is listening or what that one party may be able to do for you and your future. Your only competition is yourself. Sky’s the limit!