The pair invested in a music software program called Serato Scratch Live and began jockeying at high school dances and sweet 16s.
"It was super cheesy," Hamilton said.
by Nicola Pring
But when the California native moved to New York to start his freshman year at NYU, his parents told him to leave his equipment at home.
"When I moved to school I wanted to ship my stuff out, but my parents were like, 'No, you need to focus on your studies,' " Hamilton said. "But by the time they got here for Thanksgiving, I had already purchased all new stuff."
Now a senior in the music technology program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, Hamilton has turned his hobby into a career.
He said he believes the key to being a successful D.J. is playing what the crowd wants to hear.
"I think it's best to know your crowd," Hamilton said. "At the end of the day, you're there to make sure everyone has a good time."
Hamilton has released several of his own electronic remixes. Most begin with his signature: a female voice introducing Hamilton's work as music plays in the background.
"People put [my mixes] on at parties, or they work out to them," Hamilton said. "Sometimes people say they study to them. I don't know how they do that, but I respect it."
The accomplished D.J. mixes at clubs throughout New York and travels across the country to play shows when he can though he is also focused on finishing his final semester at Steinhardt.
"You get a lot of hands-on experience on all the mixing boards, and you learn the theory behind everything," Hamilton said of the music technology program. "It's great to know when you're doing shows. If something goes wrong, you understand why."
Following graduation, Hamilton said he plans to travel frequently and release more original content.
"A lot of times young D.J.s will make remixes, and they'll send them to the bigger D.J.s," he said. "The bigger D.J.s will start spinning them in their sets. Once you get something like that, it starts to get you some buzz."
Hamilton's best friend Mario Faggiano acts as his manager, helping him book shows and spread the word about his work.
"With the progress [Hamilton's] made while still actively in school, I'm eager to see his development when D.J.-ing and production are his sole focus," Faggiano said.
Last Thursday, Hamilton traveled to the U.K. to play an exclusive set at Chinawhite, a popular London club. The young D.J. plans to stay focused on what he loves so he can get similar opportunities in the future.
"This [is] probably the most unstable career path you could choose," he said. "Since I want to do this, I need to be that much more serious about it and that much more diligent."