Today we’d like to introduce you to Ajay The DJ.
Hi Ajay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started off on my college campus because there was a need for international music at campus events. I’ve always been into music and fascinated by DJs since I was a child. Later, I continued to grow on campus and outside of school through networking and some lucky openings at certain venues. Eventually, after being a DJ for a couple of years, I decided to do my own events because while there were a lot of Afrobeats events, there were many other African communities that were underrepresented at these events. I also had the need to DJ at a party where I felt free to experiment with the music and the curation of the event. That’s how I ended up with my event series, Woza.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been easier for me than most. I guess I got lucky part of the time. My biggest challenges have been finding spaces that are willing to accept African culture and those that are willing to give me a chance. The African community in the city, especially the young people, is not as big as others. With that, it means it’s more difficult to convince partners, sponsors, and venues because they can work with other organizations and get significantly more profit. As a DJ, a lot of people like to box you into one specific genre. I grew up in a community that listened to very diverse genres of music, and with that, I can play many different genres very well, but I am still trying to navigate this without abandoning my African roots.
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 specialize in the African sound. I’m most known for having high-energy DJ sets. That’s part of where “Vibe Surgeon” came from. I’m most proud of the community I’ve been able to create. When I started off, I never thought I’d make so many friends and family through doing what I love. My biggest strength is being able to walk into a room and play for whatever crowd has shown up that day. Whether it’s Afrobeats, hip-hop, or house, my playlist is so vast that I feel confident in front of any audience.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
What works, works. There is a lot of talk about oversaturation in the DJ industry. But if you truly love what you do, work hard, and seek out advice from those who have done it, all you need is 1% of luck. And everyone gets that one percent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woza.theajayexperience.com/gallery.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaythedj_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ajaythedj_
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/woza.usa/
