Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ LiL J.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I would have to say music started for me when I was a baby, Prince “Kiss” would play and my mom said I would bounce around like crazy in my car seat. I grew up watching the MTV awards because my sister Belinda was obsessed with MTV and the newest music! My Dad was all about music as well! As a child, I would hang around him and my uncles while they jammed out to all kinds of genres. Music was a big deal in our house growing up! I really had no choice but to be involved somehow, I started burning CDs in high school and handing them to friends with all the exclusives. Eventually, I needed a change from my hometown Lufkin, TX my brother convinced me to move to Austin in June 2005. It worked out perfectly because he was already here and gave me a nice couch to stay on while making the transition from small town to big city. I was grateful that I had my brother next to me during this new chapter of my life. I was frightened at first, contemplated moving back home, but he kept me motivated and showed me the ropes of the big city!
My brother taught me how to be confident and showed me how to always find a solution when there’s a problem! There’s something about Austin that really brings out the artist in you! “Music capital of the world” is no joke! Before finding my way to Djing, I was originally a Rapper that started early 2006 putting out mixtapes with my friend Brad, doing shows here and there, nothing big but I definitely thought that it was my calling for sure! One day while driving home from work I was listening to the radio station and I heard “The 5 o’clock mix” with Lady K and DJ 2dq, I’d never heard anything like that and instantly knew I wanted to be a DJ. Eventually, I crossed paths with them and we all became good friends, Lady K gave me some vinyl records and showed me the basics of mixing (Yes, I started with vinyl) and 2dq showed me how you’re supposed to Rock a crowd and build a following! From that point on, I studied and watched all the DJs just trying to soak up the game! Learning was really hard back then because teaching yourself everyday was a huge challenge, Youtube had videos but not as many as they do now, not a lot of tutorials, I watched a lot of Jazzy Jeff, Qbert and Dj AM videos performing in clubs, those guys are a huge inspiration to me! I try to mimic their style of scratching to this day with a little bit of my style. I would sit in my room for hours and hours trying to learn how to Dj. There were times I would forget to eat getting so lost in music I was locked in my room all summer of 2006 trying to perfect my craft. My friend Dj Kewl Kris helped me out when he had time, he taught me a lot about scratching, the guy is a monster!
Once I had the basics down and thought I was ready, I posted an ad on craigslist, “Dj for hire” not even two days later, I was contacted by Bryan Miller (Dj Kenn) he had a College party lined up and needed a Dj ASAP, he came to the apartment and had a quick listen to my transitions and he said I was hired! Not long after that Bryan got me a job at Agave bar on 6th street, everything just kept going from there. I got better and better every weekend, more job offers and living the dream! Around 2008 I met Aaron Martinez (Dj Reckshop) the guy had so much drive in becoming a DJ. He reminded me of myself when I was starting out. Me and Bryan took him under our wing and introduced him to the right people and taught him everything we knew. We three eventually all teamed up and were Djing at some of the best bars in Austin. In 2011 my cousin Joshua Gomez (J-Goodiez) came home from the army and he really had a drive for Djing as well! I taught him the basics of mixing and he caught on so quick! I would let him hop on the turntables if I needed a break or wanted to go say hi to friends. He was always ready and would do a great job! Eventually, he really took off with his career and is killing it! Me and Josh started a crew called The Go Hards, it’s Josh, our friend Manny Mo and myself. We’re still very active in Austin, Houston and Dallas! We all still Dj at some of the hottest clubs/bars in the city! This has been a great ride and I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love for a living.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been pretty smooth, some ups and downs obviously, but with every down, I learn so much! Lessons I take forever on what to do and not to do in this industry! It has made the struggles like losing a gig so much easier! You just have to adapt and keep pushing, eventually you will get back where you were, if not better!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to consider myself an EDM DJ but I can do it all! I love playing any genre of music that gets the crowd going! Whether it’s a live blend or a remix they have never heard before! I always want the crowd to remember me, I don’t want to sound like what they hear in their car, when you can make a crowd chant or clap or jump, that’s the best high you’ll ever get!
Contact Info:
- Email: DjLiLjMusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/DjLiLj/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/DjLiLj
- Other: Mixcloud.com/DjLiLj
Image Credits
@Nat_I_Hernandez @HiDavidRomeo @_Ben.Dion469
