Jordan Chavis spotlights as DJ of UNC athletics

Jordan Chavis was nervous. He had worked for Red Bull before at non-traditional sporting events, but this was his first time DJing for a specific team — UNC’s football team.

Chavis, who was contacted by the New Media division in the Athletic Department, said he had met with them a few times to go over goals for his performance.

But those meetings didn’t shake his nerves.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go,” Chavis said. “But I was also interested to see how it would be received and how people would react to it.”

It was received well.

Now in his third season as the official disc jockey of Carolina football, Chavis has also begun playing at men’s and women’s basketball games.

Chavis said his favorite part about DJing the games is being a part of the overall game experience. He said the gig is even more special because his entire family went to UNC.

“Growing up watching the games, now to be able to be a part of that is amazing,” he said.

Ken Cleary, assistant athletic director of New Media, said the New Media department had been thinking of trying something a little bit different for their in-venue music when they reached out to Chavis.

He said music generated fans’ excitement.

“We knew that what we were doing with music could be improved upon, so we looked for someone who could help us in that regard,” Cleary said. “I think he has been a fantastic addition to our gameday presentation.”

Laarni Lapat, a sophomore UNC student, said she also felt like DJ Forge kept the game day atmosphere fun.

“For me, it fills in any awkward silences and gives us something to sing and dance along to,” she said.

Lapat said she doesn’t have any particular song she likes him to play best, but she does have a favorite artist.

“I get really excited when it’s Taylor Swift,” she said.

On stage, Chavis doesn’t just go by “Jordan.”

To him, being referred to as only “Jordan” is nerdy. Instead, he’s DJ Forge, after an X-Men comic book character he identifies with, since both are Native American.

“I thought it was a strong name,” he said. “So I ran with it.”

And it stuck.

arts@dailytarheel.com