Proud Haitian-American North Miami native, DJ Sam Sneak continues to break barriers as one of South Florida’s leading DJ’s.  Sneak  is unique as a DJ due to his edge and his ability to constantly reinvent himself. It’s an edge that allows him to reach groundbreaking career heights all while remaining humble and connected to the streets and the people from his home town.  Just to name a few things on his resume, Sneak travels the world as the official DJ of Miami Hip Hop artist Rick Ross of Maybach Music Group (MMG), he recently became an A&R for the MMG label, he is featured on the chorus of one of the hottest songs of the summer of rapper Wale’s newest single, “My P.Y.T.,” and he is the founder of his own entertainment company where he empowers other local DJ’s through several music and entertainment platforms. We had a chance to catch up with this millennial local sensation and talk about everything ranging from his love for the City of North Miami to his start in the music and entertainment industry.

Q: What have you learned growing up in North Miami that you take everywhere with you?

Sam Sneak: I’ve learned that I can’t do every and anything alone. You need a team in order to reach your highest success. There were times that I thought I could do it alone, but the streets of North Miami stood behind me and supported me.

Q: What elementary, middle, and high schools did you attend?

Sam Sneak: I grew up in North Miami, Florida.

Elementary- Gratigny

Middle-Thomas Jefferson

High school – North Miami Sr. High School

Q: How old were you when you started to develop your passion for music? What triggered this passion (was it an event, a person, etc.)?

Sam Sneak: My passion from music began ever since I was a kid. I’ve always loved to dance, I forged my thoughts to paper, and sometimes I would write the lyrics to a song to learn the record in depth. In 1998 a group of my friends linked up and started a group called “Dirty Gold DJ’s”. I can still remember when I went out and purchased one turntable and a mixer. We couldn’t afford speakers so we made our own [laughs].  We had a group, a plan, and we executed.

I would make CD’s with all of the underground music for a lot of the DJ’s and realized I never got the credit for helping those DJ’s out. That led to me tagging my cd’s with “ Sam Sneak” so that I can get the credit.

Q: In addition to you, who else was part of Jam Squad? How did you link up with them, and what year?

Sam Sneak: Currently my entertainment company Bachwood Entertainment has ventured into many things one of them being Shoneville radio which features (Dj Lucky C, Waymofly, Dj Phill, Bo Weezy, DJ Teflon, Sean D, Dj KIDD, Boogie G, and Shawny Taught U.) We all had a vision and dream and came together to make that happen.

Q:  When you were starting your career, what do you think helped you stay focused and not give up on your dreams?

Sam Sneak: I’ve always had really good work ethic, and I’ve taken my craft very seriously. Both of my parents migrated here from Haiti and wanted nothing but the best for my brother and me. I wanted to make them proud, and I had a love for sneakers so I had to hustle to make sure I got every pair of shoes that my heart desired at the time. I look at the positive in every situation. I count my blessings not my burdens.

“Anybody can be replaced” is a quote that I live by. I came from nothing to being an A&R for MMG. There is always someone out there waiting to take your seat.
Q: What year and how did you meet Rick Ross and the Triple C’s?

Sam Sneak: I’ve been touring with Rick Ross since 2006. I met him when I was very young. When he heard me DJ, he told me on the spot   

“You’re going to be my DJ,” and I’ve been with MMG ever since then. Being a DJ, you meet a lot of artist, and have the opportunity to work with a lot of talented people. Triple C has been on this ride with me since my career with MMG began.
Q:  What is it about North Miami that keeps you coming back? Is it family, friends, history, etc.?

Sam Sneak: Definitely Family, I still have family that resides in North Miami. The history plays a major role as well. I’m reminded to stay humble and be grateful because a lot of people from the hood are either dead, or in prison. Prison of the mind or physically.

Q: What are one or two ways that you have given back to the North Miami community?

Sam Sneak: I speak to the youth in the community about the trials and tribulations that I’ve gone through and explain how I uplifted myself from those situations. Also, I understand that there are many kids that don’t have the benefit of getting school shoes every year, so I donate shoes before school starts every year.

“If you want to improve something, you have the access and opportunity to take the lead and get things done.  Having spent my entire adulthood here, I have learned that it is up to me to make a difference.”—Karen DeLeon, President of Keystone Point Homeowner’s Association

Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, Karen DeLeon is a business owner, community leader and a mother that resides in North Miami.

Moving to North Miami in 1987, DeLeon was immediately drawn to the grassy median and view of the woods in the Arch Creek area on northeast 135 street.

“We used to cut through Keystone on our way to the beach, yes, I admit it,” said DeLeon. “When the chance to buy a home here materialized, we jumped on it.”

DeLeon rides her bike daily to shop, eat, and walk the dog.

“Being able to have a healthy lifestyle within a big city keeps me here,” she said.

In addition to building a healthy lifestyle, DeLeon also built a business with her husband, Ovidio DeLeon, and is vice president of Sailboards Miami Watersports.

“Twenty years ago, my husband’s partner developed skin cancer,” said DeLeon. “We were expecting a baby; I was finishing my master’s degree, and next thing I knew I was vice president of a windsurfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding business.”

Sailboards Miami has been in business for more than 20 years, and was featured on various platforms including HGTV, American Airlines, Deco Drive and ABC Family’s Switched.

“We are rated the #1 location in the continental U.S. to learn to windsurf and paddlers can enjoy visiting Viscaya and a hidden mangrove estuary,” said DeLeon. “[It’s] absolutely beautiful and great for all ages and fitness levels.”

Not only is DeLeon a business owner, she is a community leader in North Miami as president of the Keystone Point Homeowners Association and a Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

As president, Karen works with involved residents that want to better their community in terms of beauty, safety, and community interaction.

“I enjoy working with the board—it gives me a sense of place and community,” said DeLeon. “When one of us is in need, others reach out to help. It is especially appreciated in raising children or caring for our elders.”

DeLeon knows this because she raised her daughter Lauren in North Miami.

Lauren developed her interest in the arts when she participated in Odyssey of the Mind and the Fairchild Challenge while attending David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Center.

“Locally she studied music and dance as a very young child with ballet instructor Jessica Wolland at the Keystone Tot Lot,” said DeLeon.

Lauren also attended Lola’s Environmental Camp at Enchanted Forest Park, and worked as a counselor last summer.

This summer, she is interning at City Theatre, in Brickell, before returning to college in New York to study playwriting and directing.

While she has raised her child, built a business and became a community leader, DeLeon doesn’t plan on leaving North Miami’s diversity and rich culture.

“I like to think I have been able to make a small dent in a corner of the universe.  Having raised a daughter here, I see in her what I am most proud of,” said DeLeon. “She is a young woman who is accepting of people regardless of background–her only expectation is of respect and responsibility.”

“If you want to improve something, you have the access and opportunity to take the lead and get things done.  Having spent my entire adulthood here, I have learned that it is up to me to make a difference.”—Karen DeLeon, President of Keystone Point Homeowner’s Association