Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ OB7.
Hi DJ, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been DJing for about nine years in the Tampa Bay Area. My story is super interesting because I never dreamed or even gave thought to being a DJ when I was younger or growing up. I’ve always been into music, but never in this way. I actually got my start in music singing in a local rap group called TNT. Everything seemed pretty promising with interviews, on the roadshows, magazine articles, etc. Unfortunately, our management at the time ended up abandoning the group for personal reasons, and we all were too young at the time to make our own decisions, so the group dismantled. Fast forward a few years, and I was approached at a party I was playing music for (off my iPod) and the guy asked if I was a DJ and if I could potentially DJ his club. Of course, I refused since I had no desire to be a DJ at the time. We ended up trading numbers and he called me every day up until the day of his party, pushing me to at least learn the fundamentals because he has seen something on me that he thought was great. I finally gave in and learned the basics, enough to DJ his party. To my surprise after my train wreck of a gig, I was approached by three other people asking to do guest sets at their club as well. I thought to myself that maybe this is something I could potentially make a career and the rest is history. From traveling the world, opening for A-list celebrities, holding residencies and playing guest spots at some of the countries biggest clubs, going on tour and producing for Grammy-winning artists – there’s no stopping now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s hasn’t been easy. I never had a desire to be a DJ. So I had to start from square one and learn the technique. Luckily, I was already pretty versed in music, so the transition for having an ear for music was pretty seamless. The hardest part was actually learning what all those buttons do that are in front of you and crowd control!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I like to think of myself as an Open-Format DJ. What that means is I can essentially play any music to any crowd. I think that’s one of the biggest things that continues to set me apart from other and the competition. I’ve played for some of the biggest EDM, Hip Hop, Reggaeton/Reggae, Pop etc. artists out there and I pride myself on being a “chameleon” when it comes to my work.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be in some entertainment. I used to dance and sing around the house as a kid and my mom would cheer me on and encourage me to keep going. My moms always told me I would sit in front of the tv for hours trying to learn the dance from Michael Jackson’s Thriller LOL! That’s a pretty intense video now to watch even as an adult. Why wasn’t I fearful than at a young age?! Determination I suppose haha.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/djob7
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/djob7
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ob7music
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/djob7
- SoundCloud: www.SoundCloud.com/djob7
Image Credits
Thomas Jimenez (Typical Tom)
Joshua Gallo
