DJ Kem

Always in music, Kim Lyles b.k.a. DJ Kem Knuckles, has worked her way up the ladder in the male dominated "Mobil DJ" industry to make a name for herself as one of Atlanta's Hottest known female DJ. It all began for Kem during her teenage years in South Carolina. After landing her first job as a DJ for the neighborhood roller skating rink, it was the boost she needed to gear her towards her true love, MUSIC. Shortly after high school, Kem met Terry Moore (DJ GQ), who showed her the basics of a techniques 1200 turntable and its functions. This equipped Kem with the right tools she needed to start a small mixed tape /CD business. Not long after this DJ Kem was booking everything from wedding receptions, family reunions, to backyard house parties. Realizing that her hometown placed limits on the musical dreams she had, DJ Kem headed north to Charlotte, NC. to peruse her musical dreams. Although her stay in Charlotte was brief, Kem was able to gain more skills in preparation for her move south to Atlanta, Georgia.

Shortly after moving to Atlanta, she landed a job at WEA (Warner/Electra/Atlantic) records. It was at WEA, that DJ Kem learned an enormous amount of distribution information from the inside out by working at this major distributor of music.  Working at WEA, gave Kem the start she needed to start her own female DJ /MC service, hence Creative Sound. Starting Creative Sound allowed Kem to meet a wide variety of people whom she made great rapports with on top of receiving repeat business and great referrals.

After 4 years in Atlanta, Kem decided to branch out to the west coast and try her hand at the California way of music, while adding flavor to her growing talents. Sunny, Southern California, Sunset and Vine to be exact, is where it all began to unfold. In a short 4 years, Dj Kem Knuckles managed to gradate from a LA recording school, going from interning to assisting the president of a publishing / management company during the day, and working in a popular West Hollywood recording studio at night. In-between her already overwhelming work schedule DJ Kem worked as an in-store DJ for a Hollywood & Vine record store where she was the resident house DJ for the "Open Mic & in store "Rap" sessions, every Thursday & Friday night.  Spinning for various stores, clubs, and private parties in the LA area allowed Kem to polish her musical ear. By now, DJ Kem was in full swing with music in every moment of her breathing life. With no time to rest, on Monday nights, she was busy signing and critiquing songs for a song writing company, and spinning her way into the Southern California clubs at night.

In 1994 DJ Kem decided to make her way back to East, with initial plans to move on to NYC. She landed in Atlanta, GA only planning to be there for 2 weeks, to visit friends before moving north. However, before she could book a flight, she found a job at a new record label Kaper Records 2 years later, the company closed its doors.  DJ Kem was left with a decision of Moving north, or going back to school for a Communications/ Broadcasting degree. Choosing to continue her education has proven to be a good move for DJ Kem. While a student, DJ Kem managed to form a one- woman production company. Knuckles Entertainment / MG Brother publishing.