Life & Work with Freddy Quintana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Freddy Quintana.

Hi Freddy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started with art and expression, I fell in love with music and graffiti in high school, I became entranced by the power of creativity… I had no direction, just the freedom of flow whenever and wherever I could channel my art into a painting or freestyling over beats. In 2008 during the last couple months of my senior year at Lawndale high school, some kids broke into the school and trashed some of the classrooms as a senior prank… to our surprise, it was announced that one of the teachers had his DJ equipment damaged in the act. The school came together and we hosted a carwash to help raise money to fix the turntables. My science teacher (Mark Gomez) was so thankful he opened up his classroom at lunch once a week to have DJ lessons for whoever wanted to learn as a way to give back to everyone that helped out.

I was so excited to learn how to tap into such a unique and powerful way of playing with sound, I had no idea that it would completely change my life forever. As It turned out, I was the only student to show up to the classes, where Gomez & I would spend day after day mixing songs on 2 Technic 1200’s & a Rane 67 Mixer. He went on to teach me the basics of blending songs together and the principles of scratching on Vynl records. I learned about all the legends that inspired him like Qbert, Jam Master Jay, & Mix Master Mike and what made each DJ different. I became obsessed with the movement of song to song and studied it constantly to find my own rhythm.

During the last couple of weeks of school, I was finally ready to DJ my own event, and I asked Gomez if I could use his equipment. He told me that he used that exact same setup to help pay his way through college and that he would let me take all of his equipment on a loan as long as I paid him back at the end of summer. It was an act of kindness that motivated me to put all of my energy into becoming the best I could be and taking every gig that I could in order to fulfill my promise to him. I am so thankful for his generosity and dedication to his students, and till this day I always try and pay it forward and teach the skills I have learned to those who look for guidance or help with music and djing.

With my parent’s permission, I was allowed to throw a graduation party at my house, where I invited hundreds of kids from all the local schools and even built a small stage to have live performances for the event. I needed a DJ name for the flyer, and at the time my graffiti name was “Awsum”, my uncle told me about a robot that was named “ASIMO”. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the future, so I decided my DJ name would become “AWSUMO”. With the help of my friends and family, the night was a complete success. My little sister RahRah, and baby cousin Becky even performed some of their own music to a packed house. It was a night that is so deeply rooted in my soul like I found what I was meant to do. I mixed together old school hip hop, Latin rhythms, house party classics and bass heavy underground electronic music that set my soul a blaze. It was truly a night to remember.

For the next couple of years, I worked and played music at every event that came my way, hustling every day to find new gigs or work on my craft as a DJ. I played everything from high school events to underground warehouse parties and even weddings and quinceaneras, & then to finally booking my first residencies at bars in Hermosa Beach & Toca Madera. I was following my dreams and took it one job at a time to get better and better in finding my sound. The jobs started getting bigger and bigger and soon, I was playing at some most legendary locations and events all across Los Angeles.

Through my journey of DJing music and editing sounds live during my sets, I knew the next step was to begin producing my own tracks that would separate me from everyone else. I fell in love with the process of creating whatever I wanted and making songs that I could write lyrics to or send to other artists. This phase of my career took me deeper into the music industry and pushed my goals into a whole new realm. I was becoming the artist I wanted to be, all while being able to take care of my family and finances with the money I was making from performing. My family supported me emotionally and spiritually my entire life, and I wanted to do whatever I could to give back. I started the TZ Collective with friends and other artists I was inspired by to begin releasing original music and throw events where we would showcase our talents. It was a non-stop mission and a never-ending flow of energy that would eventually take me around the world.

In 2011, my younger cousin Becky G was discovered by Sony and signed to the major label. We have always been close and she told me that they would be auditioning Djs for her live show. I showed up to the rehearsal space with all my equipment and waited my turn as radio Djs performed to a panel of label executives for Becky’s project. They were all very talented and professional musicians, but I knew that if anyone was gonna support B during her performance, it should be me. When it was my turn, I set up my gear, and I was told “You are in front of a crowd of 10,000 people, and you are opening up for Becky G, what do you do?”

I excitedly picked up my headphones and screamed into the microphone “LOS ANGELES!!! ARE YOU READY?!”

& began to play my opening set…

The energy in the room was electric and I could feel the sensation in the studio. I did exactly what I had to do to book the job and the entire team was excited to have me on board.

Becky’s professional music career had just begun, and so did mine.

We went on to perform at radio shows across the country in August of 2013, leading up to being the opening acts on tours with Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, J Balvin, and some of the biggest names in music all over the world. As Becky continued to grow as an artist, I continued to grow as a performer and master of ceremonies, DJing to crowds of over 30,000 people all while bringing my sounds to life. B is one of the most inspiring, hard-working individuals I have ever met, and I am thankful for every moment we have shared on our journey together. The connection we share on stage is such a special feeling because family is the driving force behind everything that made us who we are, and we do not let each other forget that.

The goals keep getting bigger, and some of the highlights from the last couple of years include performing at the Staples Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and massive stadiums all over. From sharing stages with Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony, Calvin Harris & many more, to having one of my self-produced remixes be used on her MTV Europe Music Award performance as the closing song. Every day has a blessing and part of the bigger adventure, as we work hard to better ourselves through the music.

Before the pandemic, we were booked to play a three months tour through Europe, playing massive festivals like Tomorrowland and other major club appearances all over. This time off has given me the chance to go deeper into my music production and fine-tune songs that could change my career as an artist. Although it has been a rough time for everyone, I embraced the challenge and found ways to be creative during these times. I am very excited for the music I will be releasing this year and the adventures that are yet to come.

My goal is to bring love and light to the songs I make while defining myself as an electronic artist and DJ of my generation. I want to make people dance all over the world with the universal language of music and to continue to inspire those who also have a dream of one day making it all happen.

This is my story, and it is still only just beginning…

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?
There has been many challenges along the way, but with overcoming every obstacle comes a new level of growth in my artistry. Learning how to roll with the punches and turn each lesson as an opportunity has been a challenge in itself. I truly try to make the best of every situation and try to bring good vibes to the equation.

My main challenge has been understanding how to utilize my time most effectively. There is so much that I want to do, but I’ve learned it’s all about balance and taking it one moment at a time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I produce original music and remixes for my career as an electronic artist.

I am a songwriter and performer that understands music in multi-dimensions.

I am known for my live sets as a DJ blending together songs and rhythms from around the world to create an experience that people will never forget.

I also still love to paint as a form of meditation and continue to follow my passion in the arts and in fashion.

My style and energy in my craft come from my heart and the ultimate love of music and good vibrations.

I am constantly growing and learning from the world around me, and I am completely dedicated to growing as an artist every single day.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I give so much credit to my family and friends that have been with me on this journey. The support I have received from my loved ones has inspired me on so many levels.

I’d like to thank Mark Gomez for teaching me how to DJ and helping me start my DJ career.

I am forever grateful for Becky G, her mama (My godmother) Nina Alex, and the whole team in believing in my craft and skills as her touring DJ.

I am thankful for my closest friends who I have made music with over the years and who have also believed in the same dream (Project Jay, Mac Drums, Atom Black, Swoops, Rue, Doctor Hook, Naz, RJ The Giant, Stephanie Loayza, DJ Blacksheep, Alej, Awalthe1st, Ultracat, DJ Coast, Dirty Draws, Farralone, Cee-Aye, Washara, Arsnl, Monoky, Mansion, Mr. Fitz, Spencer Ray, Esteban Joseph)

I’d also like to thank My little sister RahRah, who showed me how to make my first beat.

And my other little sisters Ceci and Vanessa for constantly supporting us and putting up with loud music playing all the time at the house.

My mother and father for believing in me and trusting me on my journey.

To everyone that has ever booked me for a gig, I truly appreciate you.

& last but not least, Id like to thank myself for never giving up and sticking through 13 years of following the same dream. YOU GOT THIS

Cien Por Ciento

Contact Info:

• Website: AWSUMO.COM
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/iamawsumo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamAwsumo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamawsumo
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/iamawsumo
• Other: https://www.shopallexisting.com/shop