Inspiring Conversations with Monte Jackson of Five6ixteen Sounds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monte Jackson.

Monte, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Monte “Bang Jackson,” founder of Five6ixteen Sounds, a DJ collective, booking agency, and record label based in Los Angeles.

I started out as a recording artist under the name Bangloose, which gave me my foundation in music and the industry. From there, I transitioned into DJing and eventually moved into the business side, working in marketing, promotions, and artist relations. That experience helped me understand not just how to perform, but how to build platforms and create opportunities for other DJs and artists.

Over time, I launched Five6ixteen Sounds to bring everything together. We focus on curating DJs, producing events, and building experiences that go beyond just playing music. I’ve also worked closely with brands, venues, and companies like BPM Supreme, where I specialize in artist relations and music curation across multiple genres.

Today, I’m focused on scaling Five6ixteen Sounds, creating unique experiences both on land and at sea, and continuing to open doors for DJs to grow, travel, and be part of something bigger.

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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

One of the most defining moments for me was in 2018. I lost my mother to cancer, and about a month later, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer myself. That was a turning point. It forced me to slow down, reflect, and really think about what I wanted my life and legacy to look like.

Going through that gave me a different level of perspective. It made me more intentional about how I move, how I treat people, and how I build things. It also gave me a sense of urgency. I don’t take opportunities for granted, and I don’t approach this casually.

On the business side, there were also challenges in building Five6ixteen Sounds from the ground up—funding things myself, learning the business in real time, managing talent, and creating opportunities without a blueprint.
But honestly, all of it shaped me. It made me more resilient, more focused, and more grounded. Now, when things get stressful or unpredictable, I’m able to stay calm, adapt, and still deliver a great experience.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Five6ixteen Sounds is a DJ collective, booking agency, and record label based in Los Angeles. At its core, we specialize in curating DJs and creating experiences that go beyond just playing music.

What we do is bridge the gap between DJs, brands, and audiences. We provide talent for events, develop DJs, and produce our own activations-from intimate vibe-driven sets to full-scale branded experiences. Whether it’s nightlife, lifestyle events, or destination-based activations, the focus is always on the experience and how people feel in the moment.

What sets us apart is that we’re culture-driven and experience-first. We’re not just booking DJs – we’re curating moments. A lot of our DJs come from different backgrounds and genres, so we’re able to move across hip-hop, R&B, house, Afro, Latin, and open format seamlessly. That versatility allows us to adapt to different environments while still keeping a strong identity.

We’re also very hands-on. I’m directly involved in talent development, partnerships, and creative direction, so everything stays intentional and aligned with the brand.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve been able to build something from the ground up that’s respected in different spaces-from clubs to brand partnerships to working with companies like BPM Supreme and expanding into opportunities in the cruise and travel space.

What I want people to know is that Five6ixteen Sounds is about more than music. It’s about community, opportunity, and creating platforms for DJs to grow, travel, and be part of something bigger than themselves.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
A good example of how I approach risk and experience-building is DJ Disney Day, which I founded.

It started as an idea to bring DJs together in a completely different environment-inside Disneyland. There wasn’t really a blueprint for it, and it took a lot of coordination, relationships, and upfront investment to make it happen. But I believed in the concept of community, content, and shared experience.

Shout out to Double-EFF, who played a key role in helping bring it to life. Having the right people around you makes a difference, and I’m big on building with others to execute a vision.

Now it’s grown into an annual event that brings together DJs, brands, and creatives from across the industry. It’s a great example of taking a calculated risk on something unconventional and turning it into a real platform.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.five6ixteen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bangloose