We recently had the chance to connect with DJ Sway J and have shared our conversation below.
DJ , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
A lot of people think being DJ Sway J is just about showing up, playing music, and getting a crowd hyped. They see the lights, the energy, the packed rooms, but they don’t see the years of groundwork it took to build this movement.
What’s often misunderstood is that my “business” isn’t just DJing, it’s curating culture. I’m not just pressing play on tracks; I’m building events from scratch, negotiating with venues, locking in sponsors, branding nights, marketing to my community, and making sure the experience is unforgettable every single time.
People also underestimate how much of my success comes from vision and relationships. I had a five-year vision for what the Latin and nightlife scene could be in my city. Now I’m living it, but it wasn’t luck. It was strategic networking, investing in my brand, and consistently delivering nights that raise the standard for what’s possible.
At the end of the day, I’m not just a DJ, I’m an entertainment director, marketer, brand builder, and community leader. And the business of DJ Sway J is about way more than music, it’s about creating a culture people want to be a part of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is DJ Sway J, and I’m more than just a DJ, I’m a culture builder. I grew up between New York and Florida, immersed in a mix of sounds and rhythms, from Latin beats to house music, hip-hop & rnb, and beyond. Music has always been my language, and over the years, I’ve turned that passion into a movement.
Today, I serve as Director of Entertainment for some of the biggest venues in Downtown Fort Myers, and I’ve earned a reputation for bringing nights to life that are unforgettable. What makes my brand unique is that I don’t just play music, I create experiences. Every event I touch is designed to unite communities, showcase diversity, and give people a night they’ll talk about long after the lights come up.
I’ve opened for internationally known artists/influencers like El Alfa, Toño Rosario, DJ Camilo, DJ Adoni, Dowba Montana, Cherry Scom, Radel Ortiz, Justin Silva, Ect….. but my biggest pride is how my team and I transformed the local nightlife scene. From building Sway Sundays into a city staple to introducing themed nights that celebrate Latino culture, house music, and more, I’ve proven that Southwest Florida can have the same energy and diversity as any major market.
Right now, I’m focused on finishing Sway Summer strong, continuing to raise the bar for entertainment in my city, and expanding my reach to new cities and audiences. My story is one of vision, hustle, and community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work ethic is my mother. Growing up, she would take me to her job, and I’d spend hours watching her work tirelessly, never slowing down, never complaining. She came to this country without speaking a word of English, but instead of letting that hold her back, she learned as she worked.
Over the years, I saw her transform that determination into success, eventually becoming a business owner who now provides jobs for others. Seeing that journey firsthand was all the motivation I ever needed. It taught me that no matter your starting point, with persistence and a relentless drive, you can build something incredible.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely there were moments when I almost walked away. Early in my career, I hit a point where it felt like no matter how hard I worked, the doors I wanted to open just weren’t opening. I was doing late nights for little pay, carrying my own equipment, and putting my all into shows that sometimes didn’t get the turnout I hoped for. I got talked down alot as well, not everybody was in support of what I was trying to bring to the table.
What kept me going was remembering why I started, my love for music, the vision I had for my city’s nightlife, and the community I wanted to build. I also thought about the people who believed in me and invested their time and trust into my journey.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yeah what you see in public is the real me, but it’s not all of me. The energy, the passion, the connection with the crowd… that’s 100% genuine. I’m not putting on a fake persona when I’m performing. Thats just me feeding off the music and the people in the room.
However there’s also the behind-the-scenes me, the one who’s constantly planning, negotiating, marketing, and building. I’m also a Father and Husband so I’m constantly switching different roles everyday. I have a 5 year old son that just started Kindergarten and a 2 year old daughter that flips the household upside down. My wife is truly the only person who sees all the ins and outs of my life.
So yes, the public version is real, but its only a part of me. I compare DJn to being a wrestler. When the lights are on its showtime, telling a story to the crowd with a loud personality but theirs more behind the curtains.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people tell the story of a man who built more than parties, he built culture. I want them to remember that I didn’t just play music, I created spaces where people felt proud of who they were, where different cultures came together, and where the energy was so powerful you couldn’t help but be part of it.
I hope they say I was someone who took risks, who saw possibilities where others saw limits, and who pushed the nightlife scene in my city to heights nobody thought possible. That I opened doors for others, put my people on, and inspired the next generation to believe in their vision no matter how big it was.
And most importantly, I hope they remember that I never forgot where I came from, that I represented my roots everywhere I went, and that I left behind a legacy of connection, celebration, and community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djswayj_?igsh=MWM3amszYnFjMnJ6cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Djswayj93?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMItp1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpyxPCz7UC5kwjOLuuGCs3J2X5C2FsH6WywPGGCGz-EGkYX23tdj1Kik8iSMj_aem_cTvajZvJQUtBoz8tDvPwIA
Image Credits
Bert The Creator
RH Visuals
Curate Entertainment
